Rep. Yvonne Davis

Maddy summaryHB 3991 requires public school districts, charter schools, and related entities to report specific employee misconduct to the State Board for Educator Certification. It mandates reporting when employment ends due to acts like student abuse/neglect, romantic relationships with minors, drug possession (including marijuana), alcohol sales to students, or financial fraud. The bill also defines "neglect" using the Family Code and creates a registry for individuals ineligible for school employment. This directly affects school districts, educators, and charter entities by expanding mandatory reporting requirements to ensure certain misconduct is documented in the state's employment eligibility system.

Maddy summaryHB 3988 changes how police and firefighters in certain Texas municipalities receive Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) benefits. It requires that DROP account balances be distributed as an annuity (monthly or annually) starting after retirement or September 1, 2017 - whichever is later. The bill specifies that interest for annuity calculations must use a U.S. Treasury note rate for amounts as of September 1, 2017, but excludes interest on amounts added after that date. Additionally, it allows participants to choose a lump-sum payment at any time (including at retirement) and provides hardship withdrawals that reduce future annuity payments.

Maddy summaryHB 3992 sets new rules for salary schedules of staff positions at Texas regional planning commissions based on their size. Commissions serving fewer than 200 governmental units must keep salaries at or below the state's standard for classified positions (as set in the General Appropriations Act), though they may pay less. Commissions serving 200 or more units can set their own salary schedules without state limits. The changes apply only to salary schedules adopted for fiscal years starting September 1, 2025, or later. This bill directly affects regional planning commissions across Texas, impacting how they compensate staff.

Maddy summaryBased on the bill title provided, HB 3843 would establish regulations for assisted living facilities and the referral agencies that connect clients to these facilities. The bill authorizes civil penalties for violations of these new regulations. This legislation directly affects assisted living facilities and referral agencies operating within the state. However, the full bill text is not available in the provided context, so specific regulatory details or penalty amounts cannot be confirmed.

Maddy summaryHB 2919 requires public school principals to suspend students who engage in specific conduct against school employees or volunteers, including assault offenses (matching Texas Penal Code Section 22.01(a)(1)) or deliberately violent threats to others' safety. The bill directly affects students who target staff, overriding standard suspension rules for such incidents. It also ensures that suspensions for students with disabilities receiving special education services comply with federal placement requirements. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHR 525 is a commemorative resolution honoring the late U.S. Congressman Sylvester Turner, who represented Texas's 18th Congressional District. The resolution recognizes his life and career, including his service as Houston mayor, his 14 terms in the Texas House of Representatives, and his work on health care, education, and disaster response. As a procedural resolution (not a policy bill), it has no direct effect on laws or constituents but formally memorializes his contributions. The resolution was adopted by the Texas House on March 13, 2025, following his passing on March 5, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 136 is a memorial resolution honoring Clyde Vance Dunnam of Waco, a 94-year-old attorney who passed away on May 3, 2024. The resolution recognizes his 70-year career at Dunnam & Dunnam, LLP, his service as a mentor in Central Texas, and his community leadership in organizations like the Scottish Rite and Waco Jaycees. It also acknowledges his family life, including his marriage to Vicki Hohertz (until her death in 1995) and later to Merrilee Lafferty Harmon, and his dedication to faith and community. Adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on March 13, 2025, this procedural resolution serves as a formal tribute to his life and legacy, with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia and related disorders. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and other eligible organizations for research into dementia causes, prevention strategies, treatments, and symptom mitigation. It establishes oversight committees to manage grants, ensure compliance, and requires annual public reports detailing funded projects and recipients. The institute is set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless extended under Texas Sunset Act procedures.

Maddy summaryHJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. The bill would transfer $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026, for research, prevention, and treatment of dementia and related disorders. The institute would award grants to Texas research institutions, medical facilities, and collaboratives to develop treatments, prevention programs, and address access to care. This initiative directly affects Texans living with dementia and their families, as well as researchers and healthcare providers in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Texas employers from asking job applicants about their criminal history on initial application forms. Employers may only inquire about criminal history after determining an applicant is otherwise qualified and has received a conditional job offer or been invited to an interview. The law does not apply to positions where criminal history checks are required by law, such as certain law enforcement or childcare roles. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.