Rep. Trey Wharton

Maddy summaryHB 4 establishes new congressional district boundaries for Texas' U.S. House elections, effective September 5, 2025. It directly affects Texas voters by determining which geographic areas elect their U.S. representatives in the next election cycle. The bill implements the redistricting plan approved by the Texas Legislature, replacing the previous district map used for congressional elections. This is a procedural change to voting district lines, not a substantive policy.

Maddy summarySB 3 creates a state grant program to help local governments cover costs for installing outdoor warning sirens in areas identified as flood-prone due to the July 2025 Hill Country floods. The bill requires municipalities and counties to install these sirens in locations with a history of severe flooding, high residential density, or significant property damage risk, as determined by the board. The Governor's office will administer the grant program, setting eligibility rules, application processes, and monitoring requirements for funding. This law directly affects local governments in designated flood-prone areas, mandating siren systems to alert residents of imminent flood threats. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on September 5, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1, the Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act, requires youth camps (for minors on a day care or boarding basis) to comply with new safety standards. It prohibits issuing or renewing licenses for youth camps operating cabins within floodplains, except when cabins are near still water bodies like lakes or ponds that aren't connected to streams or rivers. The law also mandates annual license renewals for camps that alter boundaries, build new cabins, or renovate existing cabins affecting bed counts or access. Additionally, it creates an online registry of all licensed youth camps for public transparency. These provisions directly affect youth camp operators and the Texas Department of Health and Safety.

Maddy summaryHB 1, the Youth CAMPER Act, requires youth camp operators to submit updated plans when altering camp boundaries, building new cabins, or renovating existing cabins that change bed counts or access points. It also mandates the state health department to establish minimum staff-to-camper ratios for overnight stays at youth camps. The bill authorizes penalties for noncompliance but does not specify penalty amounts in the provided text. This law directly affects licensed youth camps operating on a boarding or overnight basis in Texas, focusing on physical safety planning and staffing standards.

Maddy summaryHR 128 amends Texas House rules to impose specific penalties on members who absent themselves without permission to disrupt legislative proceedings. It directly affects House members who deliberately skip sessions to hinder the House's work. Key provisions include a daily fine of $1,500 (three times the standard $500 per diem), reimbursement for sergeant-at-arms costs to secure attendance, loss of committee leadership roles, and potential seniority recalculation for repeated absences. Penalties apply only when absence is proven to impede House business, and members retain constitutional rights to representation.

Maddy summaryHB 27 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study groundwater sustainability in the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District. The study must determine the maximum annual groundwater production without harming the aquifer's modeled available water and assess impacts on local water flows. The bill imposes a temporary moratorium on new permits or permit amendments for groundwater transfer out of the district until the study report is submitted by January 12, 2027. This moratorium applies only to the Neches and Trinity Valleys District and expires on September 1, 2027. The bill directly affects groundwater permit applicants and the district's permitting authority.

Maddy summaryHB 265 strengthens Texas youth camp oversight by requiring the health department to review camp safety rules by April 2026, in consultation with a newly structured advisory committee. The committee must include nine members representing emergency management, law enforcement, pediatric care, child psychology, abuse prevention, camp operators, parents, and geographic diversity. The bill mandates camp operators to provide safe facilities and conduct annual criminal background checks on staff, including sex offender database verification. These provisions directly affect youth camp operators, staff, and campers by establishing clearer safety standards and oversight mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 295 changes Texas election rules for voters who move within their county but haven't updated their registration. It allows voters to cast ballots in their current precinct immediately after submitting a statement verifying their new address and meeting residency requirements, instead of waiting 30 days for registration changes to take effect. The bill requires voters to provide the same information needed for initial registration, including their current address and a statement confirming they reside in the precinct. This applies only to address change notices submitted after the bill's effective date. The law affects voters who relocate within their county but haven't updated their registration records.

Maddy summaryHB 308 creates a new criminal offense for trespassing on or near school or day-care center property. It applies to individuals who enter school property or remain within 250 feet of it if their conduct is disruptive, threatening, or harassing to students, staff, or school operations, and they lack a valid reason (like custody) or written permission from the school. The law requires that the person ignores a reasonable request to leave from school staff before being charged. Violating this law is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine. The bill specifically targets disruptive behavior near schools, not general trespassing.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding resolution (not a bill with policy changes) congratulating Sergeant Daniel Gaskamp on retiring from the Washington County Sheriff's Office after 50 years in law enforcement. It honors his career, including 37 years with the Brenham Police Department and over a decade with Washington County Sheriff's Office, and recognizes his service and the Counter Attack on Crime Award he received in 1995. The Texas House of Representatives formally adopted the resolution to express its high regard for his service. As a procedural resolution, it has no legal effect or impact on policy.