Rep. Angie Button

Maddy summaryHB 20 establishes a voluntary certification program for disaster relief organizations in Texas, allowing the state attorney general to maintain a public registry of certified groups to help donors identify legitimate charities during disasters. The program requires the attorney general to set eligibility rules, application procedures, and processes for renewal or revocation, though organizations may choose not to participate. Additionally, the bill mandates that the attorney general create and share public educational materials on recognizing and avoiding fraudulent charitable solicitations during disaster situations. This directly affects disaster relief organizations (through optional certification) and the public (via the registry and educational resources).

Maddy summaryHB 18 expands the Texas comptroller’s authority to fund emergency communication systems by adding specific provisions to the state’s funding rules. It authorizes state funds to support early warning systems for natural disasters and interoperable emergency radio systems, including their equipment, operations, and administration. This change directly affects local governments and emergency services providers who deploy these systems. The bill modifies existing funding mechanisms under the Government Code to ensure resources are available for these critical communication tools.

Maddy summaryHB 4 establishes new congressional district boundaries for Texas voters to be used in the 2026 U.S. House elections. It adopts the PLANC2308 redistricting plan based on 2020 Census data (TIGER/Line Shapefiles) to define district lines. The bill replaces all prior Texas congressional district maps, including those from 2021, and applies to elections starting with the 120th Congress (2026). This is a procedural redistricting bill directly affecting Texas residents' voting districts for federal elections beginning in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 109 creates a state-funded disaster recovery loan program to help Texas small businesses (20-100 employees) and micro-businesses access capital after declared disasters. The program provides zero-interest loans to community development financial institutions (CDFIs), which then make interest-bearing loans directly to qualifying businesses. To qualify, businesses must be Texas-based (with 51% of employees in the state), for-profit, independently owned, and have difficulty accessing capital post-disaster. The program uses funds from a dedicated state account in the general revenue fund to support these loans, aiming to stabilize local economies and job creation after emergencies.

Maddy summaryHB 32, the Texas Women's Privacy Act, requires that certain facilities - such as restrooms, locker rooms, and family violence shelters - be designated and used based on biological sex, defined as the physical condition of being male or female at birth as determined by sex organs, chromosomes, and original birth records. The law applies to correctional facilities, family violence shelters, institutions of higher education, local governments (political subdivisions), and state agencies. It authorizes civil penalties for violations and creates a private right of action, allowing individuals to file lawsuits if they believe the law has been breached. The bill does not apply to state agencies as political subdivisions but covers them separately under the law's definition of "state agency."

Maddy summaryHB 84 authorizes Texas pharmacists to dispense ivermectin for human use without a doctor's prescription, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking this medication. The bill requires the state health commissioner to issue a statewide order with standardized protocols for pharmacists, including patient instructions and annual reporting on dispensing volumes. It also provides legal protection for pharmacists who follow the order, shielding them from liability or disciplinary action. The commissioner must issue this order within 91 days after the legislative session ends, implementing the policy changes outlined in the new Health and Safety Code section.

Maddy summarySB 648 updates Texas Property Code requirements for recording real property transfers and heirship affidavits. It requires property transfer documents filed by individuals (not professionals like title companies) to be signed by the owner, acknowledged before two witnesses, and certified by an authorized officer. For heirship affidavits filed by individuals, the bill adds that all named heirs (not under legal disability) and witnesses must personally appear before an officer for certification. These changes apply to all property records filed after September 1, 2025, if not vetoed (though the bill was ultimately vetoed by the Governor). The law aims to reduce fraud by strengthening verification steps for property ownership documents.

Maddy summaryHB 149, the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, regulates how businesses use artificial intelligence systems that capture or store biometric data (like fingerprints or facial scans). It requires companies to obtain explicit consent before using biometric data for commercial AI purposes, unless the data was publicly shared by the individual themselves. The law exempts financial institutions retaining voiceprints, AI training data, and systems used for security, fraud prevention, or investigating illegal activity. Violations result in civil penalties, and the law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHCR 127 is a symbolic concurrent resolution expressing the Texas Legislature's support for strengthening Texas-Taiwan relations. It highlights Texas-Taiwan trade reaching $25.5 billion in 2024, commends Governor Abbott for establishing the Texas Taiwan Office, and celebrates the 46th anniversary of the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act and Texas-Taiwan sister-state relationship. The resolution has no legal effect but formally acknowledges this partnership through diplomatic channels like the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston. It is a non-binding expression of support, not a policy change.

Maddy summarySB 2068 requires Texas appraisal districts to keep certain personal information confidential when property owners apply for tax exemptions. The bill specifically protects driver's license numbers, social security numbers, personal ID numbers, children's names/ages, and home addresses provided in exemption applications. This information may only be shared with authorized appraisal district employees or agents performing appraisal services, not with the public or other entities. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting property owners who file exemption applications.