Rep. Liz Campos

Maddy summaryHB 4336 allows hospital employees to take custody of newborns without a court order under specific conditions. It applies to infants 60 days old or younger who are voluntarily left with hospital staff immediately after birth (e.g., handed to an employee or placed in a designated safety device) and where the parent does not express intent to return. The bill amends Texas Family Code Section 262.302(a) to formalize this process, removing the need for judicial oversight in these emergency situations. The law will take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 35 is a Texas concurrent resolution urging Congress to change federal tax law. It requests that spaceports be added to the list of facilities eligible for tax-exempt private activity bonds - currently available for airports, docks, and similar transportation hubs. This would allow spaceport projects in Texas (where the state ranks second nationally in spaceport locations and hosts over 2,000 aerospace businesses) to access lower-cost financing for infrastructure development. The resolution does not change state law but formally asks federal lawmakers to amend the Internal Revenue Code to support this change.

Maddy summaryHB 1534 requires Texas courts to confirm before a full court hearing that the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) properly notified parents or alleged perpetrators about specific rights. It mandates that DFPS inform individuals before interviews about their right to record the interview and request an administrative review of DFPS findings, and that DFPS provided required investigation information to parents/custodians as soon as possible after starting an investigation. If these notices weren't given, the court cannot use evidence from the interview or investigation in the hearing, unless excluding it would significantly harm the child's health or development. The law applies to cases filed on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 74 creates the Puerto Verde Port Authority District in Maverick County, Texas, as a special district to advance economic development in the area. The bill grants the district authority to issue bonds for infrastructure, impose fees and taxes on properties within the district, and acquire private property through limited eminent domain for port-related projects. It directly affects property owners and businesses in the designated district area by enabling the district to fund and develop port facilities, transportation infrastructure, and economic initiatives. The legislation aims to promote job growth, commerce, and community development in Maverick County under Texas Constitution provisions for special districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1747 creates a new council and trust fund to improve coordination of mental health, substance use, and public health services in Texas. The bill establishes a 14-member "Mental Health, Substance Use, and Public Health Initiative Council" with members appointed from health professionals, rural hospitals, local health authorities, mental health agencies, and community advocates. The council will oversee the allocation of funds from a new trust fund to ensure fair spending on coordinated care services. This bill directly affects state health agencies, hospitals, mental health authorities, and community health providers by changing how funding is managed and distributed. The bill is currently pending committee review after being reported favorably as substituted.

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 3469 exempts certain bird control services from structural pest control regulations in Texas. It allows businesses to use laser lights, noise devices, or recorded sounds (within local noise limits) to manage nuisance birds without needing a pest control license. The exemption does not cover methods that kill birds, use chemicals or explosives, exceed noise ordinances, or risk harm to people, property, or the environment. This directly affects businesses offering non-lethal bird control services, such as those at airports, farms, or public venues.

Maddy summaryHB 1387 amends Texas law to expand eligibility pathways for taking the bar exam to become a licensed attorney. It adds two new options beyond traditional law school: completing a two-year apprenticeship under a licensed Texas attorney or gaining two years of full-time paralegal work experience in Texas. The bill specifically defines "approved law school" and requires the Texas Supreme Court to establish rules ensuring candidates meet character, education, and practical experience standards. This change directly affects individuals seeking to practice law in Texas who do not attend a traditional law school. The bill is currently pending in committee as of May 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3832 creates a new "Animal Friendly" specialty license plate in Texas, requiring the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue these plates to benefit spay and neuter programs. Vehicle owners who purchase these plates will fund local animal welfare initiatives, with plate designs developed in consultation with the Texas Humane Legislation Network. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects Texas drivers who choose this specialty plate option.

Maddy summaryHB 510 requires Texas state and local officials to provide homeless individuals with free certified copies of their birth records upon request. It defines "homeless individual" as someone without a fixed residence (or staying in temporary shelters like shelters or transitional housing for the mentally ill), excluding those in prison. The law prohibits requiring a physical address for verification and mandates the state health department to create rules for confirming homelessness status. This policy change takes effect September 1, 2025, applying to applications submitted on or after that date.