Rep. Ann Johnson

Maddy summaryHB 3 establishes the Texas Interoperability Council to coordinate statewide emergency communication systems, ensuring police, fire, and medical responders can communicate during crises. The bill creates a grant program administered by the council to help local governments (cities, counties, and emergency districts) purchase interoperable radio equipment and build compatible infrastructure. Key provisions require the council to develop a strategic plan for emergency communications and prioritize funding for equipment that works across different agencies. This directly affects local public safety agencies by mandating new communication standards and providing financial support for system upgrades.

Maddy summaryHB 5 allocates $324 million in supplemental funds from Texas' economic stabilization fund for disaster relief and preparedness. It provides $200 million to match federal disaster aid and support state disaster funds, $50 million for flood warning systems and equipment in 27 counties affected by a July 2025 flood declaration, and $24 million to improve weather forecasting and flood management in the Texas Hill Country. An additional $50 million is contingent on passing related legislation about emergency communication systems. The bill directly affects local governments in designated counties and state agencies managing disaster response.

Maddy summaryHB 2 requires justices of the peace in counties without a medical examiner to complete training on managing mass fatality events within one year of election. The training covers autopsy decisions, body identification protocols, missing persons data collection, interagency coordination, and real-time family notifications. Failure to complete this training is defined as "incompetency" for removal under local government law. The bill also allows the Texas Commission on Fire Protection to access criminal history records for license applicants and employees while restricting disclosure of that information. It authorizes fees related to these requirements.

Maddy summaryHJR 22 proposes a constitutional amendment to replace Texas' current Legislative Redistricting Board with a new Texas Redistricting Commission. The commission would be responsible for redistricting Texas' U.S. House of Representatives seats and both chambers of the Texas Legislature, taking effect January 1, 2030. The bill specifies that the commission must create redistricting plans following the federal census, with its first meeting scheduled for early 2031. This change would abolish the existing redistricting board and require voter approval through a May 2026 election.

Maddy summaryHB 241 establishes a nine-member Texas Redistricting Commission to draw election districts for the U.S. House, Texas House, and Texas Senate. The commission replaces the legislature as the sole body responsible for redistricting after each census, with members appointed based on party affiliation (eight members chosen bipartisanship by the legislature) and strict eligibility rules. To serve, members must be Texas voters over 25, avoid holding public office or working on political campaigns, and cannot run for office during or after their term. This bill directly affects all Texas voters by shifting the redistricting process from the legislature to an independent commission with defined membership rules.

Maddy summaryHB 255 creates five new judicial districts (513th through 517th) entirely within Harris County, Texas. The 513th, 514th, and 515th districts take effect January 1, 2026, while the 516th and 517th districts begin October 1, 2026. This bill adds specific sections to the Texas Government Code to formally define these districts as composed solely of Harris County. It is a procedural change that does not alter court procedures, jurisdiction, or substantive law.