Rep. Gary VanDeaver

Maddy summaryHB 42 modifies how Texas allocates annual state funds to public universities and colleges by establishing a new formula based on space deficit, facilities condition, institutional complexity, and a separate allocation for the Texas State Technical College System. It specifies exact funding amounts for institutions like the University of North Texas ($65 million), Texas State University ($58 million), and Lamar University ($20 million) for the 2026 fiscal year. The bill changes the method of distributing constitutional appropriations from previous formulas to these new criteria and amounts. Signed into law on June 20, 2025, it takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1233, the Perinatal Palliative Care Act, requires healthcare providers to inform pregnant women diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-limiting fetal condition about available perinatal palliative care. This applies to approximately 2% of pregnancies where the unborn child has a severe medical condition. The law mandates providers to explain comprehensive supportive care options - including medical, social, and mental health services - to reduce suffering for the mother, unborn child, and family during the perinatal period. It creates administrative penalties for noncompliance and defines perinatal palliative care to exclude actions intended to hasten death. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 1580 requires local mental health authorities in Texas to adjust their governing body composition. For single-county authorities, it mandates including the county sheriff as a nonvoting member; for multi-county authorities, it requires two county sheriffs (chosen per specific rules) as nonvoting members. The bill also adds a requirement for each governing body to select one veteran member by December 1, 2025. This change directly affects all local mental health authorities statewide, altering their governance structure to include sheriff and veteran representation, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 300 increases the maximum Texas Armed Services Scholarship to $30,000 per academic year (up from $15,000), capping at the average cost of attendance at Texas colleges. It expands appointment authority, allowing the governor and lieutenant governor to each appoint two students annually, and each state senator or representative to appoint one student, with deadlines set for September 30. The bill directly affects Texas students enrolled in ROTC or similar military commissioning programs at Texas colleges, requiring proof of program enrollment or acceptance into the Texas State Guard. These changes are effective immediately after the bill was signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 261 prohibits the sale and offering for sale of cell-cultured protein (food made by growing animal cells in a lab) for human consumption in Texas. It defines "cell-cultured protein" and adds it to existing prohibitions under the Health and Safety Code, making it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, or sell such products. The bill directly affects food producers, retailers, and restaurants selling cell-cultured meat or dairy alternatives within Texas. Violations carry civil and criminal penalties, though specific penalty amounts are not detailed in the provided text. This is a substantive policy change banning a new food category without exceptions for commercial sale.

Maddy summaryHB 4783 requires Texas state agencies and institutions of higher education distributing opioid overdose reversal medications (like naloxone) to prepare a biennial report every even-numbered year by October 1. The report must assess current distribution needs, establish statewide goals for medication availability, detail funding sources, outline distribution strategies, and recommend improvements for high-risk groups including rural communities, pregnant individuals, and children. It mandates coordination with all relevant agencies and requires submission of the report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and House speaker. The bill, now law after being signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, does not change current policies but creates a structured reporting requirement to inform future opioid overdose prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 3441 creates legal liability for vaccine manufacturers who advertise a harmful vaccine within Texas. It defines "advertise" broadly to include paid promotions across media (TV, internet, influencers), but excludes doctor-patient discussions or clinic materials. If a manufacturer's advertised vaccine causes injury, victims can sue within three years for actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The law applies only to cases where harm occurs on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4463 amends Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code provisions to clarify and expand authorized activities for brewer's and nonresident brewer's license holders. It specifically allows brewers to enter into contract brewing agreements or alternating brewery proprietorships (shared facility arrangements), requiring all parties to hold valid licenses and meet bonding requirements. The bill also authorizes future fee increases for these licenses but does not specify new fee amounts. This affects Texas-based breweries and out-of-state breweries selling malt beverages in Texas, streamlining their operational flexibility while maintaining regulatory oversight. The bill was enacted on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 20 establishes Texas' Applied Sciences Pathway program, allowing high school students to earn both diplomas and industry certificates through school-college partnerships. It requires courses in 20 specific high-wage, high-growth fields like plumbing, welding, IT, and oil/gas exploration, with a focus on successful job placement rates. Partnerships must offer non-duplicative, progressive coursework leading to both diplomas and certificates in these sectors. The program begins for the 2027-2028 school year, with industries reviewed every five years to match labor market needs.

Maddy summaryHB 102 requires Texas public universities to offer early registration for courses and programs to students in military-related programs who are in good standing. Specifically, it mandates this for students enrolled in ROTC programs, cadet corps (including at senior military colleges), or maritime academies. The law, effective for the 2026 spring semester, obligates institutions to provide this early registration opportunity on the same basis as other designated student groups. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will develop rules to implement this requirement.