Rep. John Smithee

Maddy summaryHB 3695 limits copayments for physical therapy visits under certain health plans. It prohibits health maintenance organizations and preferred provider plans from charging enrollees a higher copayment for a physical therapist visit (without a referral) than for a primary care physician visit. The law applies to plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas enrollees who use physical therapy services without needing a physician referral.

Maddy summaryHB 1228 allows homeowners to immediately begin emergency repairs on damaged residential buildings if the repairs protect public safety, prevent further damage, or preserve structural integrity. Homeowners must apply for an emergency permit within three business days of starting repairs or when the municipality/county can accept the application. The bill requires cities and counties to permit these immediate repairs and prohibits them from blocking such work. If a local government violates this law, homeowners can sue for damages and recover attorney fees. This directly affects homeowners needing urgent repairs and local governments managing building permits.

Maddy summaryHJR 98 is a Texas legislative resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose spending limits on the federal government, reduce federal power over states, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. Texas formally applies to Congress to initiate this process, with the resolution intended as a continuing application until at least 34 states (two-thirds) support the same purpose. This is a procedural request - Texas has no authority to create new laws, but aims to join other states in advancing this constitutional mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 5200 requires the Public Utility Commission of Texas to ensure the independent organization overseeing ERCOT transmission planning evaluates grid enhancing technologies (like dynamic line rating systems and advanced power flow controllers) and high-performance conductors (modern alternatives to traditional wires) for use in transmission projects. The bill mandates this evaluation to increase transmission capacity, reduce congestion, improve reliability, and lower wildfire risks. It specifically directs the organization to consider technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness, though it allows them to decline recommendations they deem imprudent. This affects how ERCOT’s transmission system is planned and upgraded, directly impacting Texas power grid operators and infrastructure decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits late payment fees charged by municipal water utilities in Texas. It caps fees at $5 or 2% of the overdue amount before day 32, $5 or 5% between days 32-41, and $5 or 10% after day 41. Utilities cannot begin charging penalties before 21 days after billing a customer, and penalties end when the full amount is paid. The rules apply only to fees charged on or after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed by two-thirds vote).

Maddy summaryHB 5561 aims to divert specific foster youth from the juvenile justice system by requiring community referrals for certain cases. It directly affects foster youth under age 12 or those living in general residential care facilities (as defined in Texas law), particularly for minor offenses involving violence. Key provisions include mandating residential child-care facilities to implement approved behavior intervention programs with staff crisis response training to reduce law enforcement involvement, and requiring juvenile boards to prioritize diversion for these youth groups over prosecution or detention. The bill amends Texas Family Code and Human Resources Code sections to establish these policies and monitoring requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 5064 would designate a specific segment of U.S. Highway 67 in Dallas and Ellis Counties - between its intersection with U.S. Highway 287 and Interstate 20 - as the "Eddie Bernice Johnson Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway and at intermediate locations along the route. This is a ceremonial designation with no impact on highway operations, funding, or regulations. It directly affects the geographic corridor in Dallas and Ellis Counties but does not alter existing transportation policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases retirement payments for Texas judicial retirees whose benefits are based on retirement or death dates before September 1, 2024. Starting September 1, 2025, the Judicial Retirement System will increase each monthly payment by 7.5%, with a second 7.5% increase applied on September 1, 2026. These adjustments apply only to payments beginning after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025), affecting current retirees under Plan One or Plan Two of the Judicial Retirement System. The changes are automatic and require no action from beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryHJR 138 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to prohibit the state legislature from imposing taxes based on the carbon content of fuels or emissions of carbon dioxide from goods and services. If approved by voters, it would prevent Texas from enacting any carbon tax policy. The bill failed to pass the Texas Legislature on May 12, 2025, so it did not advance to a voter referendum. This would have directly affected all Texans by blocking a potential state-level carbon tax mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 32 clarifies eviction procedures in Texas by updating Property Code rules. It requires landlords to give tenants at least three days' written notice before filing eviction suits for nonpayment of rent (unless a lease specifies otherwise). The bill also limits courts to deciding actual possession rights - not property title - in eviction cases and prohibits adding counterclaims or third parties to these suits. Additionally, it states only the Texas legislature can change these eviction procedures. This bill directly affects landlords, tenants, and justice courts handling eviction cases.