Rep. Jay Dean

Maddy summaryHB 4373 clarifies that special districts created through strategic partnerships retain full authority to provide services in areas later disannexed by a municipality. It directly affects special districts and municipalities that disannex territory, ensuring the district can continue exercising all legal powers in the disannexed portion regardless of prior agreements. The key provision (added to Local Government Code Section 43.1463) overrides any existing strategic partnership or other agreements between the district and the disannexing city. This prevents disannexation from disrupting essential services in the remaining district area. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 2109 requires Texas' state water agency to automatically remove proposed reservoir projects from the State Water Plan if construction hasn't begun within 50 years of their inclusion in the plan. This directly affects reservoir projects listed in the plan for 50 or more years, such as those proposed decades ago without progress. Once removed, these projects cannot be reinstated in future versions of the water plan. The law applies retroactively to projects included in the plan for 50+ years and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2275 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (specialized policies for high-risk or hard-to-place coverage) containing arbitration agreements must specify that any arbitration occurs in Texas and follows Texas law. It mandates that both the arbitration process and contract interpretation be governed by Texas statutes, applying only to contracts delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Existing contracts before that date remain subject to prior law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects insurers writing surplus lines policies in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 298 requires Texas driver's licenses and personal ID certificates to include a clear indication that the holder is a U.S. citizen. This applies to all licenses issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill specifies that licenses must also display the holder's full name, date of birth, a full-face photograph, a distinguishing number, and either a residence address or, for certain federal judges or officials, the courthouse address. It does not change existing requirements for non-citizens. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3344 requires roofing contractors in Texas to obtain an occupational license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and pay associated fees. It directly affects professionals who perform roofing services (installation, repair, or maintenance) for compensation on commercial or residential properties, excluding homeowners doing their own work, government employees, or those selling roofing materials without installation. Key provisions include creating administrative penalties for violations, authorizing TDLR to set licensing fees, and establishing criminal offenses for certain violations. The bill exempts contractors working on new construction and those performing services for property owners on their own residential or agricultural properties.

Maddy summaryHB 3061 increases penalties for certain criminal offenses committed while wearing masks or disguises specifically to hide the offender's identity. It applies to offenses under Texas law covering assault, robbery, public disorder (Title 5, Chapters 28-30, or Sections 42.01/42.02). If proven, the punishment escalates to the next higher offense category, with a minimum 180-day jail term for Class A misdemeanors. Exceptions allow the penalty increase to be avoided if the disguise was for events like Halloween, proven by a preponderance of evidence.

Maddy summaryHJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to create two dedicated funds supporting Texas State Technical College System (TSTC) capital projects and equipment. It establishes a "permanent technical institution infrastructure fund" for long-term capital needs (like buildings) and an "available workforce education fund" for immediate operational costs, both administered outside general state funding. This would remove TSTC from annual appropriations that typically apply to other public colleges, providing the system with guaranteed funding streams for infrastructure without competing for general higher education funds. The amendment requires specific distribution rules and prohibits using these funds for non-educational purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 5337 requires Texas voters to submit proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must provide documents like a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or citizenship papers to county registrars. If proof isn't submitted, voters would only qualify for a limited federal ballot under Chapter 115. The bill creates criminal penalties for failing to provide required documentation and amends election code sections to implement these requirements. This directly affects all new voter registrants in Texas seeking full voting rights.

Maddy summaryHB 3207 amends Texas law to increase criminal penalties for intoxication assault, which occurs when someone causes injury while operating a vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or amusement ride while intoxicated. It establishes two penalty tiers: causing bodily injury becomes a state jail felony, while causing serious bodily injury becomes a third-degree felony. The bill further increases penalties for injuries to public safety personnel - causing serious injury to firefighters, EMTs, or peace officers on duty becomes a second-degree felony, and causing serious injury to a peace officer or judge on duty becomes a first-degree felony. The changes apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.