Rep. Drew Darby

Maddy summaryHB 2349 exempts specific real estate transactions from oversight by the Texas Real Estate Commission. It removes regulatory requirements for transactions involving mineral rights (like oil, gas, or coal), energy projects (such as solar or wind facilities), cemetery lots, hotel/motel leases, and certain business sales (e.g., limited partnerships or LLCs). The bill adds these categories to existing exemptions in state law, meaning businesses conducting these transactions no longer need Commission approval or licensing for those specific activities. This directly affects real estate professionals, energy developers, and property owners involved in these specialized transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 1971 exempts drillers and operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from specific requirements in the Natural Resources Code. It removes the applicability of sections 85.2021 and 91.142 (which typically govern certain well activities) for these operators when they obtain authorization through the Railroad Commission of Texas. The exemption applies to permit applications filed on or after September 1, 2025, streamlining regulatory compliance for this type of geothermal project. This change directly affects geothermal operators seeking to develop closed-loop systems under Railroad Commission oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 5697 expands the authority of Tom Green County courts at law by granting them concurrent jurisdiction with district courts in family law cases. This means both court types can now handle family law matters in Tom Green County, directly affecting residents filing such cases there. The bill amends the Government Code to establish this new jurisdiction, effective September 1, 2025, for cases filed on or after that date. Cases filed before the effective date will continue to follow the previous jurisdiction rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1749 allows Texas municipalities to expand the authority of their local courts to enforce health, safety, and nuisance abatement ordinances. It gives municipal courts civil jurisdiction over these ordinances and concurrent authority with higher courts within city limits and property owned by the municipality. The bill also grants courts power to issue search warrants for investigating violations and seizure warrants to remove unsafe properties or debris. This directly affects municipal courts and local governments enforcing codes related to public health, safety, and property conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 2152 requires Texas' Public Utility Commission to direct the independent organization managing ERCOT's power region to develop and update a reliability plan specifically for the Permian Basin electric transmission system every five years. This plan aims to ensure stable electricity supply in the Permian Basin, a major oil and gas production area. The bill amends existing law to mandate this targeted planning process, replacing a previous requirement (repealed in Section 2). It directly affects the Commission, the ERCOT-independent organization, and electric service providers operating in the Permian Basin region. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 118 establishes the Texas Advisory Committee on Pacific Conflict to advise the state on preparing for potential conflicts in the Pacific Ocean region. The bill defines "Pacific conflict" as threats involving U.S. allies in the Pacific, including attacks on U.S. homeland or disruptions to supply chains with China or Taiwan. The committee will focus on reducing security vulnerabilities in Texas, protecting critical infrastructure (like oil/gas systems, water supply, and communications networks), and ensuring critical procurement for state operations. This is a procedural bill creating an advisory body, not a direct policy change, with no voting record yet as it remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1360 amends Texas Government Code Section 3000.002(c) to clarify exemptions from certain building regulation requirements for specific scenarios. The bill exempts regulations related to historical preservation (including National Register properties, Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks, and World Heritage Zones), outdoor lighting ordinances for Dark Sky Communities (certified or pursuing certification), and windstorm insurance compliance. It also excludes programs tied to state/federal funding, military base lighting, and existing local government codes governing outdoor lighting. This change affects local governments and building owners in designated historic areas or communities pursuing dark sky certification, ensuring existing regulations don’t conflict with these specific designations. The bill is currently pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5109 clarifies exemptions from certain building regulations for residential or commercial construction. It specifies that governmental entities cannot impose restrictions on outdoor lighting in Dark Sky Communities (certified or pursuing certification by the International Dark-Sky Association), historic preservation areas (like National Register sites or Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks), or military base zones. The bill also exempts buildings meeting windstorm insurance requirements or tied to state/federal funding programs. These exemptions directly affect municipalities, developers, and property owners in designated historic or environmentally focused areas. The law does not create new requirements but clarifies existing regulatory boundaries for specific building contexts.

Maddy summaryHB 3707 updates Texas law regarding petroleum products (defined as crude oil or condensate) and oil/gas equipment. It creates new criminal offenses for illegal activities involving these products and increases penalties for existing violations. The bill requires stolen petroleum to be sold at market price (using NYMEX benchmarks for crude oil or condensate), with proceeds handled like seized property. It also authorizes law enforcement officers to inspect cargo tanks transporting these products, after completing specific training, and collect samples for forensic analysis. These changes directly affect oil/gas industry operators, transporters, and law enforcement agencies handling petroleum-related incidents.

Maddy summaryHB 4536 requires public bodies (like state or local governments) to send written notice to contractors when a complaint alleges a violation of prevailing wage laws. It mandates that public bodies make a decision on such complaints within 31 days of sending the notice and limits payment withholdings to only the final payment unless "good cause" is determined. The bill directly affects contractors who may face wage law complaints and public bodies that administer contracts. It applies only to complaints received on or after September 1, 2025.