Rep. Tom Craddick

Maddy summaryHJR 161 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to explicitly prohibit non-citizen residents from voting in Texas elections. The bill would add "persons who are not citizens of the United States" as a new category barred from voting, alongside existing restrictions for minors, those declared mentally incompetent, and convicted felons. If approved by voters in November 2025, this constitutional change would formally enshrine the current legal standard - non-citizens already cannot vote in Texas - into the state constitution. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2025 general election, with ballot language specifying the change. This is a procedural constitutional amendment, not a new voting law.

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 4290 amends Texas Utilities Code to clarify that certain energy facilities - specifically qualifying cogenerators serving digital product manufacturing and co-located desalination plants - do not count as retail electric utilities. The bill defines a qualifying cogenerator as one providing electricity and thermal/steam waste heat to a desalination facility on the same site, while primarily powering digital manufacturing operations. This exemption prevents such facilities from being regulated as retail electric providers under Texas law, streamlining their operations. The change applies to existing facilities that met specific environmental and construction timelines (e.g., pre-1998 permits and construction).

Maddy summaryHB 3265 prohibits health benefit plan issuers, pharmacy benefit managers, and drug manufacturers from discriminating against entities participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. It bans denying access to discounted drugs, restricting acquisitions, or requiring unnecessary data submission as a condition for 340B drug access. Covered entities (like community health centers and hospitals), pharmacies under contract with them, and their authorized partners are directly protected. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $50,000 per offense, enforceable through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Maddy summaryHB 355 requires the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) to accept custody of a youth committed by a court within 30 days of the court order. If TJJD fails to do so, it must compensate the county for each day the youth remains detained in a county facility at the cost TJJD would have incurred. The bill also mandates that starting on the 31st day after commitment, TJJD must count time spent in secure detention before transfer toward the youth's required minimum stay. This law, effective January 1, 2026, directly affects TJJD, county detention facilities, and youth committed to the juvenile justice system.

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 408 prohibits the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) from favoring construction bids based on environmental, social, or governance criteria (such as carbon emissions) when selecting materials for road projects, if those materials are less cost-effective or durable than alternatives. The bill directly affects TxDOT and contractors bidding on road construction projects by requiring that bid comparisons prioritize cost and durability over ESG factors. It amends the Transportation Code to explicitly ban such preferences in material selection for projects covered under the law. The rule takes effect September 1, 2025, ensuring TxDOT must base contract awards solely on cost and material performance.

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 1536 establishes a pilot program to provide community-based child welfare services in eligible rural Texas regions where the state previously couldn't secure service providers. The program requires the state to select a local nonprofit (with a resident-led board) or government entity to develop a service plan including early intervention to prevent foster care placements and improve outcomes for rural children and families. It aims to build community-led solutions and create a sustainable, replicable model for delivering child welfare services in underserved areas. The bill defines "eligible rural regions" as catchment areas where two-thirds of counties have populations under 50,000 and the state received no bids for community-based care.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 945), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally honors Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025, recognizing his life, leadership as the first Latin American pope, and global efforts to serve the vulnerable. The resolution memorializes his legacy, including his work during Argentina's economic crisis, interfaith initiatives, and pandemic-era outreach. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express collective remembrance.