Rep. Jeff Leach

Maddy summaryHB 3924 allows uniformed school marshals in Texas public schools, charter schools, private schools, and public junior colleges to openly carry handguns while wearing a uniform identifying them as marshals. It amends Education Code sections to replace previous "concealed handgun" language with three permitted options: carrying concealed, openly carrying while uniformed, or storing the weapon in a locked secure location on school premises. The bill also requires that any handgun carried or stored must use frangible duty ammunition approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. This policy change directly affects school marshals appointed by school boards or governing bodies, subject to their specific written regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2498 requires Texas licensing authorities to include specific notices in application forms and on their websites about how criminal convictions may affect occupational license eligibility. The notice must explain that prior convictions could lead to denial, list the factors used to evaluate eligibility (per Sections 53.022-53.023), and inform applicants about requesting a criminal history evaluation letter. Licensing authorities must also track and annually report statistics on applications, approvals, denials (especially those due to criminal history), and evaluation letter requests to the legislature and the public. The bill directly affects individuals seeking occupational licenses who have criminal records and the state agencies that issue those licenses. It applies to most occupational licensing boards but excludes the State Securities Board.

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryHB 1762 would change eligibility rules for community supervision (probation) in Texas by adding "being an illegal alien" as a disqualifying factor. The bill defines "illegal alien" as someone who entered without inspection, violated nonimmigrant status, or failed to comply with immigration conditions. This specifically affects noncitizens in Texas who commit crimes, preventing them from receiving probation or deferred adjudication if their immigration status is deemed unlawful. The bill amends multiple sections of the criminal procedure code to include this criterion, directly impacting immigration status as a barrier to alternative sentencing.

Maddy summaryHB 15 would modify Texas business law to strengthen the state's control over domestic business entities. It requires that internal disputes (like shareholder disagreements) must be resolved in Texas courts only, and allows companies to include in their governing documents a waiver of jury trials for such claims. This applies to all Texas-formed businesses (corporations, LLCs, etc.) and prevents other states' laws from overriding Texas business regulations. The bill does not change how businesses are formed but dictates where internal legal conflicts must be handled. The law would take effect if passed, making Texas the exclusive venue for internal business disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 2322 sets specific annual base salary amounts for Texas judges, directly affecting district judges, appeals court justices, and supreme court justices. It establishes a minimum $140,000 state base salary for district judges (capped at $5,000 below appeals court chief justice salaries), 110% of district judge pay for most appeals court justices (with a $5,000 cap), and 120% for supreme court justices, while providing a $2,500 premium for chief justices. The bill also introduces a new annual adjustment formula requiring salaries to increase by the prior biennium's amount plus a percentage based on average salary growth. All salary calculations include caps on combined state and county pay to prevent exceeding specific thresholds for higher courts.

Maddy summaryHB 1760 increases the minimum prison sentence for intoxication manslaughter convictions from 120 days to 5 years under Section 49.08 of the Penal Code. It requires a minimum 5-year prison term before parole eligibility (Section 49.08(b)) and prohibits release to mandatory supervision until 5 years of actual calendar time is served, without counting good conduct time (Sections 49.08, 508.145, 508.147). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of causing death while driving under the influence. Key provisions include mandatory jail time before community supervision and strict parole restrictions for these offenses.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided context, the bill text for HB 4713 is unavailable ("This version is not currently available"). The bill title indicates it relates to amending the Texas General Arbitration Act, but no specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are described in the available information. Without access to the actual bill text or summary details, a substantive policy summary cannot be generated. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence committee after a public hearing.

Maddy summaryHB 3618 requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to create policies governing searches of female inmates. It mandates that searches involving unclothed female inmates must be conducted by a female officer when available, and if a male officer must conduct such a search, they must submit a written report within 72 hours. The bill also limits visual body cavity searches (a visual inspection of genital or anal areas with clothing removed) to only "exigent circumstances" like immediate security threats - not routine program access like education or rehabilitation. These policies apply directly to female inmates in TDCJ facilities and must be adopted by September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 54, titled "Relating to the display of and allowance for non-human behaviors in Texas schools," is a procedural bill that amends school discipline requirements. It mandates that Texas public school districts include specific factors in their student conduct codes, such as self-defense, intent, disability considerations, and homelessness status, when making disciplinary decisions like suspensions or expulsions. The bill requires schools to post these codes prominently and consider these factors in all disciplinary actions. It does not ban specific activities but standardizes how schools evaluate student behavior. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.