Rep. John Smithee

Maddy summaryHB 4502 requires Texas municipal courts to establish a security committee composed of the presiding judge, a law enforcement representative, a municipality representative, and others as needed. This committee must develop an emergency management plan and security policies for courthouses, while recommending how to spend security funds (though municipalities must prioritize these suggestions). The bill also increases criminal penalties for harassment targeting court employees or judges. These changes directly affect municipal court operations, security staff, and judicial personnel across Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 3022 clarifies the Texas Attorney General's authority to claim legislative privilege (protection for communications between lawmakers and officials) when defending state laws against constitutional challenges. It requires the Attorney General to provide evidence of representation within 30 days of asserting this privilege to establish their authority. The bill does not prevent others from claiming legislative privilege in separate matters. This procedural change applies to legal challenges involving the constitutionality of state statutes, taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2275 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (specialized policies for high-risk or hard-to-place coverage) containing arbitration agreements must specify that any arbitration occurs in Texas and follows Texas law. It mandates that both the arbitration process and contract interpretation be governed by Texas statutes, applying only to contracts delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Existing contracts before that date remain subject to prior law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects insurers writing surplus lines policies in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 2248 amends Texas' public information law to clarify requirements for government offices handling public record requests. It requires government offices to notify requesters in writing within 10 business days if no responsive information exists (Section 1(f)) or if information is withheld based on prior decisions (Section 1(g)), including specifying the basis for withholding. The bill also prohibits charging fees for certain public records, such as election reports not available online or when government offices miss response deadlines (Section 2). These changes directly affect government offices managing public records and citizens or media seeking those records under Texas law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 5337 requires Texas voters to submit proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must provide documents like a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or citizenship papers to county registrars. If proof isn't submitted, voters would only qualify for a limited federal ballot under Chapter 115. The bill creates criminal penalties for failing to provide required documentation and amends election code sections to implement these requirements. This directly affects all new voter registrants in Texas seeking full voting rights.

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryHB 3782 updates Texas law about which newspapers can publish official government notices. It allows governmental entities (like cities or counties) to use qualified digital newspapers instead of traditional print papers, provided the digital outlet meets six specific criteria: has a verified subscriber count, has operated for at least three years, employs local staff, covers local events, provides general-interest news for the community, and updates weekly. The bill maintains existing print newspaper requirements but adds this digital option to increase accessibility. It does not change the core purpose of public notice publication but expands acceptable methods under strict standards. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed by a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the number of nonresident scholarship students who can pay in-state tuition at Texas public universities. It sets a cap of 5% of total students for most institutions, or up to 20% for schools in regions with below-average population growth and verified campus capacity. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will establish implementing rules, and the policy takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year. It directly affects public universities and nonresident students receiving scholarships that qualify for in-state tuition rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HCR 19) is a concurrent resolution naming a new building in the Texas Capitol Complex. It directs the Texas Facilities Commission to name the structure at the northwest corner of Congress Avenue and 15th Street the "Irma Rangel Building." The resolution honors Irma Rangel, a pioneering Texas legislator who was the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas Legislature (1976) and championed education access, domestic violence services, and opportunities for marginalized communities. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new policy or affect any specific group beyond recognizing her legacy.