Rep. Cody Harris

Maddy summaryHB 2615 requires Texas municipalities and counties to post public improvement district service plans and assessment documents on their official public websites within seven days of approval or updates. It directly affects local governments that manage public improvement districts, which fund infrastructure projects like roads or parks through property assessments. Key provisions mandate posting service plans (including required notice forms) online and submitting assessment rolls to appraisal districts in electronic format, showing parcel-level assessments, annual amounts, and installment details. These changes aim to increase transparency by making district funding information publicly accessible online. The bill does not change assessment amounts or eligibility but standardizes how local governments share this information.

Maddy summaryHB 4153 clarifies that standard grant and contract management rules (from Chapter 783 of the Government Code) do not apply to certain contracts managed by the Texas Water Development Board. Specifically, it exempts contracts under Subchapters B, C, F, H, I, K, P, or R of the Water Code, including those for economically distressed areas or nonborder colonias under Subchapter C. This change only affects contracts entered into on or after September 1, 2025; existing contracts remain subject to prior rules. The bill modifies an existing Water Code provision to streamline administrative requirements for these specific water development programs.

Maddy summaryHB 267 amends Texas Penal Code sections 43.24 and 43.25 to add specific affirmative defenses for defendants accused of distributing obscene or harmful material involving children. It allows defenses if the conduct was for judicial, law enforcement, or legislative purposes (Section 43.24(c)), or if the defendant was a spouse, acting for educational/medical purposes, or within two years of the child’s age (Section 43.25(f)). The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change existing criminal penalties. As of May 2025, the bill remains pending in the legislature after being postponed and laid on the table.

Maddy summaryHB 3915 expands the types of projects eligible for state flood infrastructure funding by revising the definition of "flood project" in the Water Code. It explicitly includes planning/design work, regulatory approval efforts, structural infrastructure construction, nature-based nonstructural projects (like natural flood barriers), and multi-purpose projects that both manage floodwater and create new water supply sources. This change directly affects local governments and communities seeking financial assistance for flood control initiatives. The bill, pending passage, would take effect September 1, 2025, if approved.

Maddy summaryHB 3322 modifies Texas Water Code to create a new process for landowners to request removal from water utility service areas. It allows owners of at least 25 acres in qualifying counties (with populations of 1.2 million or more, adjacent counties, or specific smaller counties) to petition for "expedited release" if their land isn't currently receiving water service. The bill adds a provision (subsection e-1) enabling landowners to pay utilities to cover federal loans, with the utility commission able to enforce loan payments. This applies only to new cases starting September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing proceedings.

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.

Maddy summaryThe context provided does not include the actual text or substantive details of HB 1378. While the bill title indicates it relates to "municipal and county regulation of certain electric energy storage," no specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are described in the available information. The summary section is blank, and recent actions only note committee referrals without policy content. Without access to the bill text or a substantive summary, a factual description of the bill's provisions cannot be provided. For details, the user should refer to the PDF version of the bill text mentioned in the context.

Maddy summaryHB 1617 would exempt firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition manufactured entirely within Texas from federal regulation, provided they remain within state borders. It directly affects Texas-based firearm manufacturers and consumers who purchase locally made items. The bill creates a new legal provision stating that intrastate-manufactured items not traveling across state lines are not subject to federal laws like registration requirements under interstate commerce authority. This policy change aims to align Texas manufacturing with the state's constitutional guarantees regarding firearm rights and state regulatory authority.

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 3701 expands the Texas A&M University System's board of regents authority to build, acquire, improve, and equip utility systems (including power plants, water, and sewer systems) across all its campuses. It specifically allows the board to charge institutions for these services and use the revenue to fund future infrastructure projects through bonds. The bill also explicitly permits utility construction on A&M property in Brazos County. This directly affects Texas A&M System campuses by streamlining their ability to manage and finance essential infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.