Rep. John Bryant

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) honoring retired Justice Ken Molberg of the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Dallas. It recognizes his service ending January 1, 2025, his legal career including 33 years as a trial attorney, leadership roles in Texas bar associations, and professional awards. The resolution was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on April 9, 2025, with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents. It serves as a formal expression of appreciation with no legislative effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-time cost-of-living adjustment for certain Texas teachers' retirement benefits, payable in January 2026. It applies to retirees and beneficiaries who retired or whose members died before January 1, 2025, and receive specific retirement or survivor benefits (e.g., standard service annuities or survivor payments under Sections 824.402 or 824.502). The adjustment excludes benefits with fixed amounts, such as those for disability retirees under 10 years of service or certain survivor payments. It directly affects eligible retirees and beneficiaries meeting the pre-2025 date criteria, without altering ongoing benefit calculations.

Maddy summaryHB 5166 amends Texas law to expand the Housing Trust Fund's use for affordable housing assistance, including down payment grants, rental aid, and emergency repairs for income-eligible individuals and families. The bill requires $2.6 million annually to be reserved exclusively for local governments and nonprofits, with at least 45% of additional funds allocated to nonprofits for housing development. It also establishes a new $10,000 down payment grant program for first-time homebuyers who reside in Texas and haven't owned a home in the past three years. These provisions aim to increase access to affordable housing through targeted financial support for eligible entities and individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 5350 requires Texas state agencies to provide public notice and a comment period before adopting or implementing policies that affect private individuals' procedures or actions. Specifically, agencies must publish notices like they would for formal rules (per Government Code §2001.023) and allow meaningful public feedback similar to rulemaking comment periods (§2001.029(a)). Agencies must fully consider all public comments received. This applies to policies adopted or implemented on or after September 1, 2025, but excludes policies already governed by existing rulemaking procedures. The bill directly affects state agencies and the public seeking input on agency decisions impacting private citizens.

Maddy summaryHB 5163 sets Texas' minimum wage at $15 per hour (or the federal rate, whichever is higher) starting September 1, 2025, directly affecting employers and workers covered by minimum wage laws. It requires the Texas Workforce Commission to conduct a biennial study and report on the "living wage" every two years, analyzing regional cost-of-living factors like housing, food, healthcare, and childcare. The report must include data on jobs paying at least minimum wage, housing affordability, small business trends, and healthcare access for minimum-wage workers. This bill replaces the current minimum wage structure and mandates specific, measurable data collection to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5416 bans carrying firearms across the Texas-Mexico border with the intent to sell or distribute them in Mexico, unless federal law permits. It specifically targets individuals transporting firearms for commercial purposes, such as purchasing firearms to move into Mexico for sale. Violating this law would upgrade the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony under Texas Penal Code. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects people crossing the border with firearms for commercial purposes.

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 5457 is not available in the provided context. The title indicates it relates to the relationship between pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and pharmacists or pharmacies, but specific provisions cannot be described without the full text. Recent actions show it was filed on March 14, 2025, and referred to the Insurance committee. A summary of the bill's concrete policy changes cannot be generated due to the lack of available text.

Maddy summaryHB 5535 amends Texas Government Code Section 824.001 to explicitly define the types of benefits payable by state retirement systems. It adds a fourth category - “benefits approved by the board” - to the existing types: service retirement, disability retirement, and death benefits. This change gives the retirement system board authority to approve new benefit types beyond the three listed categories. The bill directly affects Texas state retirement systems and their members, clarifying the framework for benefit offerings without creating new programs. It takes effect September 1, 2025, unless approved for immediate effect by a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summaryHB 5159 requires Texas prison departments to provide state-issued identification (like a driver’s license or ID card) to inmates when they are released on parole, mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon. The bill sets deadlines for requesting IDs (30 days before release or 15 days after parole notification) and creates a process for agencies to verify identities and issue IDs. It also mandates annual reports tracking how many inmates leave prison without ID and the reasons for delays. This directly affects formerly incarcerated people transitioning to community life, helping them access housing, jobs, and services.