Rep. Carl Tepper

Maddy summaryHB 3112 creates exceptions to Texas's open meetings law and public information law for government cybersecurity activities related to critical infrastructure. It allows government bodies to hold closed meetings and withhold specific cybersecurity information - including incident response plans, system configurations, and insurance details - from public disclosure when protecting facilities like power grids, water treatment plants, dams, or natural gas systems. The law applies only to information directly tied to protecting these critical infrastructure facilities within a government body's jurisdiction. This change aims to prevent exposing vulnerabilities while maintaining transparency for other government operations.

Maddy summaryHB 12 requires the State Commission on Governmental Operations to review state agencies that regulate activities through licensing, such as professional or business licensing boards. The bill mandates that these agencies post online notices about the review process and public participation opportunities, and regulatory agencies must also notify licensees and seek their input. The commission must include findings, recommendations, and a 10-year performance analysis for regulatory agencies in its final report. This applies to state agencies in the executive branch with statewide licensing authority (excluding river authorities) and became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1481 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt written policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day on school property or at school events. Exceptions allow device use for students with documented medical needs, individualized education plans (IEPs), or health/safety protocols. Schools may implement either a full device ban or a secure storage system for devices during school hours, and must return confiscated devices or dispose of them after providing parents 90 days' written notice. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 3092 exempts certain short electric transmission lines from requiring an amended certificate of public convenience and necessity. It applies specifically to lines under five miles connecting to load-serving substations or under two miles connecting to generation substations. The bill requires electric utilities to obtain written consent from directly affected landowners and purchase all necessary rights-of-way before construction. This change directly affects Texas electric utilities planning small-scale transmission projects connecting to existing facilities. The law took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2025 requires developers and property owners to attach tax documentation when filing subdivision or condominium plats with county clerks. Specifically, it mandates that each plat must include an original tax certificate showing no delinquent taxes, plus a tax receipt for the current year (or a statement if taxes aren't calculated) if filed after September 1. This applies to all subdivision and condominium plats except when multiple heirs inherit property or government acquires land through eminent domain. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 45 requires law enforcement agencies to submit human trafficking reports to both local prosecutors and the Texas Attorney General simultaneously. If a local prosecutor fails to take action within six months, the Attorney General gains automatic jurisdiction to prosecute the case. This law directly affects law enforcement agencies (which must share reports), local prosecutors (who must act within six months or lose jurisdiction), and the Attorney General’s office (which gains authority to handle unprosecuted cases). The bill amends the Government Code and Penal Code to establish these procedures, applying only to human trafficking offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6 amends Texas Education Code Section 12.111 to update requirements for charter schools. The bill specifically adds new criteria allowing charter schools to exclude students who were expelled under Section 37.007, placed in disciplinary alternative education programs under Section 37.006, or have documented criminal histories or discipline problems. While the bill title mentions telehealth mental health services in public schools, the provided text does not detail provisions for telehealth access. The legislation primarily affects charter schools by modifying their student admission policies and discipline management standards. HB 6 was signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025, and is now effective.

Maddy summaryHB 4211 creates new rules for residential arrangements where buyers purchase an interest in a business entity (like a company or LLC) that owns homes, rather than buying the homes directly. It requires sellers to clearly disclose that buyers are purchasing an entity interest - not the property itself - and prohibits entities from charging transfer fees or restricting transfers of these interests. The law also bans discrimination in these arrangements (e.g., refusing to sell to qualified buyers) and ensures disputes must be resolved in state or federal courts, not private tribunals. This applies to single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and quadruplexes owned by such entities, protecting buyers in these specific ownership structures.

Maddy summaryHB 1586 creates a standardized affidavit form for parents or guardians seeking immunization exemptions for school enrollment. The form must include a statement explaining the benefits and risks of both immunizations and not being immunized. The health department must provide this form online or by mail without collecting personal information, and can only track how many times the form is accessed (not who uses it). This change applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 2282 increases the reimbursement fee for peace officers executing or processing arrest warrants, capias, or capias pro fine from $50 to $75 for defendants convicted of felonies or misdemeanors. The fee applies to either the law enforcement agency that executed the warrant (if requested within 15 days of execution) or the agency that processed it (if the warrant wasn't executed or the executing agency missed the deadline). This change only affects fees for offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior offenses still subject to the $50 fee under previous law. The bill modifies Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Section 102.011(a) and takes effect on September 1, 2025.