Rep. Drew Darby

Maddy summaryHB 4 restricts Texas public school districts and campuses from obtaining exemptions or waivers for specific requirements, including graduation standards, school accountability measures under Chapters 39 and 39A, health and safety rules, and programs for special education and bilingual students. The bill explicitly prohibits waivers for federal mandates, essential knowledge/skills, class size limits (except as allowed by law), extracurricular activities, and other key areas listed in the legislation. It also changes the appeal process for challenges to the commissioner's decisions, requiring appeals to be filed in Travis County district court with specific procedural steps. This bill directly affects school districts, the Texas Education Agency, and individuals seeking to challenge educational decisions.

Maddy summarySB 1844 allows property owners in annexed areas to request disannexation (removal from a city) if the municipality fails to provide water and wastewater services to those areas. The bill requires the city to act within 60 days of a valid petition; if it doesn’t, owners can sue in court to force disannexation and recover attorney fees. It specifically targets areas where service obligations under annexation agreements weren’t met, such as lack of connection to municipal water systems. The law, effective September 1, 2025, applies directly to property owners and municipalities in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 1146 allows mineral estate owners, surface owners, or operators in good standing to contract with Railroad Commission-approved well pluggers to plug or replug inactive oil and gas wells without current operators (so-called "orphaned wells"). The bill requires contractors to send 30-day notice to the well's operator or surface owner before work begins and mandates compliance with Commission rules. Crucially, it clarifies that paying for plugging does not create liability for future plugging obligations, and evidence of such payments cannot be used against the payer in legal disputes about well responsibility. This law, effective September 1, 2025, provides a clear legal pathway for voluntary well plugging while protecting parties from unintended legal exposure.

Maddy summarySB 2173 modifies Texas Tax Code Section 31.08 to clarify when a tax lien on property is extinguished after a transfer. It states that if a tax certificate incorrectly claims no delinquent taxes are owed (due to an erroneously granted homestead exemption later canceled), the new property owner is relieved of liability for those taxes. However, this relief does not apply if the transfer occurs between related individuals (e.g., family), an employer and employee, a parent company and subsidiary, or a trust and its beneficiary. The law applies only to tax certificates issued on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect certificates issued before that date.

Maddy summaryHB 21 amends Texas Local Government Code provisions affecting housing finance corporations that develop or manage low- and moderate-income housing. It defines qualifying residential developments as those where at least 90% of units are intended for households with adjusted gross income below state-defined moderate income levels. The bill also requires these corporations to follow open meetings and public records laws (Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code) and restricts their development to areas within the boundaries of their sponsoring local governments - unless approved by those governing bodies. These changes clarify operational rules and transparency requirements for housing finance corporations serving low- and moderate-income residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas judges to deny bail to individuals classified as "illegal aliens" charged with felony offenses, if a judge determines probable cause exists. It defines "illegal alien" as someone who entered the U.S. without inspection or violated nonimmigrant visa terms. The amendment would automatically deny bail pending trial for such individuals, without requiring additional proof of flight risk or danger. If approved by voters in 2025, it would become part of the Texas Constitution. (Note: This is a procedural proposal requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.)

Maddy summarySB 1080 requires Texas licensing authorities to issue either a full occupational license or a provisional license (valid for six months) to otherwise qualified applicants who have been convicted of certain offenses, instead of automatically denying their applications. The provisional license begins on the date an applicant is released from prison if they were incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This bill directly affects individuals with criminal convictions seeking occupational licenses (such as for nursing, contracting, or other licensed professions) who meet all other qualification requirements. It aims to reduce barriers to employment by providing a temporary licensing pathway for these applicants.

Maddy summarySB 1759 establishes a process for the Railroad Commission of Texas to declare an oil or gas emergency (such as an uncontrolled release of oil, gas, or produced water from a well) through a written proclamation that describes the emergency and affected area. The commission can initially declare an emergency for up to 30 days, with renewals for additional 30-day or 60-day periods as needed to protect public health and safety. It also shields individuals and organizations from lawsuits if they provide assistance, advice, or resources (including personnel or equipment) during a declared emergency, provided the help is given at the request of a government agency and without gross negligence or intentional misconduct. This law directly affects emergency responders and resource-providing entities by reducing legal barriers to rapid response during oil and gas incidents.

Maddy summarySB 2122 establishes new application fees for permits related to oil and gas waste disposal in Texas. It requires $200 for fluid injection well permits, $500 for landfarm/landtreatment/land application permits, $2,000 for commercial waste separation facility permits, and $3,000 for commercial surface waste facility permits. These nonrefundable fees apply to applications filed with the Railroad Commission of Texas on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting companies or individuals seeking to store, treat, or dispose of oil and gas waste. The bill does not change waste disposal regulations but modifies the fee structure for permit applications and amendments.

Maddy summarySB 3073 requires magistrates in Texas to provide written findings within 24 hours when determining no probable cause exists for a criminal arrest. This affects individuals arrested for crimes and the magistrates reviewing their cases. The bill mandates that magistrates document their reasons for finding no probable cause in the official record. It applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior cases governed by existing law. The change aims to increase transparency in early criminal proceedings.