Rep. Stan Lambert

Maddy summaryHB 5007 establishes a Texas Committee on Foreign Investment to review certain business transactions involving foreign entities that could affect Texas critical infrastructure, such as energy grids, hospitals, or water systems. The committee would assess deals where foreign-owned companies seek control of Texas assets in these sectors, with a focus on protecting sensitive infrastructure from potential risks. Transactions deemed "covered" under the bill would require review, and violators could face civil fines. The bill applies only to transactions not already governed by federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 3014 creates a new criminal offense for fraudulent use, possession, or tampering with gift cards or their redemption information in Texas. It prohibits unauthorized possession of gift cards or redemption codes, altering gift cards, or using stolen or modified cards with knowledge of the fraud. Penalties range from Class C misdemeanors (under $100 value) to first-degree felonies ($300,000+ value), based on the card's monetary value. The law directly targets individuals committing gift card fraud, while protecting cardholders, issuers, and sellers from financial harm.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 4339 would reduce maximum interest rates for unsecured consumer loans in Texas. It lowers the annual rate caps from 36% (for loans ≤$500), 30% (for $500-$1,050), and 24% (for $1,050-$2,500) to 30%, 24%, and 18% respectively. The bill applies only to new loans made on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing loans governed by prior law. This directly affects borrowers of small unsecured personal loans and lenders offering such credit.

Maddy summaryHB 5188 creates an exemption from groundwater conservation district permit requirements for certain brackish groundwater wells. Specifically, it allows operators to drill or operate wells in designated brackish groundwater zones without a district permit if they provide documentation showing the well produces water with at least 3,000 milligrams of total dissolved solids per liter. This directly affects oil and gas operations, landowners, and water users who rely on brackish groundwater for drilling or production activities. The key mechanism requires third-party documentation to verify water salinity, while districts retain authority to revoke exemptions if well use changes or exceeds permitted levels.

Maddy summaryHB 147 requires Texas livestock owners (cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats) to record their animal identification methods - such as brands, tattoos, or electronic devices - with county clerks using an electronic system. County clerks must maintain these records electronically and send copies to the Texas Animal Health Commission within 30 days of receipt. Owners must update their recorded marks every 10 years, starting six months after September 1, 2031. This replaces paper-based registration with a digital registry to improve tracking and compliance across the state.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5243 would prohibit SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) beneficiaries in Texas from using their benefits to purchase energy drinks, sweetened beverages, carbonated drinks, candy, potato/corn chips, and packaged cookies. The bill defines "energy drink" as containing at least 65mg caffeine per 8oz and "sweetened beverage" as any nonalcoholic drink with added sweetener. Exceptions include milk products, milk substitutes (like soy milk), unsweetened juices, infant formula, and certain fortified products containing protein or vitamins. This policy change directly affects SNAP recipients who would no longer use benefits for the listed items, while allowing coverage for specified healthier alternatives.

Maddy summaryHB 3794 updates Texas licensing rules for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. It clarifies their scope of practice under the Occupations Code and requires certain government employee health plans to directly pay APRNs for services they provide. The bill defines key terms like "advanced practice registered nurse" and specifies that APRNs may administer medications under authorized orders, excluding medical diagnosis. This directly affects APRNs working in government health plans and changes how these plans reimburse their services.

Maddy summaryHB 3929 clarifies rules for securities transactions in Texas by establishing that the governing law agreed upon by an issuer (e.g., for a stock certificate or electronic holding) controls disputes, including invalidity consequences. It automatically transfers all claims against issuers or related parties (like trustees or underwriters) to a security purchaser unless otherwise agreed in writing, and blocks issuers from using a purchaser’s "intent" as a defense. The bill also requires governing law choices to apply retroactively to all related issues and allows securities to be amended to change governing law with less than unanimous consent. These changes directly affect purchasers of securities (both physical certificates and electronic holdings) and issuers involved in Texas-based transactions. The law would take effect September 1, 2025.