Rep. Sam Harless

Maddy summaryHB 4614 requires an occupational license for Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) state correctional officers, who supervise inmates in correctional facilities. The bill amends the Occupations Code to define "state correctional officer" and mandates that the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement establish minimum standards for competence, training, and reliability for these officers. It also requires the Commission to develop training programs and reporting procedures for TDCJ employment practices. This legislation directly affects TDCJ correctional officers by creating a new licensing requirement for their positions.

Maddy summaryHB 3540 expands pharmacists' authority in Texas to order and administer immunizations or vaccinations. It allows pharmacists to provide these services to patients aged three and older without a physician referral, and to administer them to younger patients under a physician's written protocol. The bill requires pharmacists to meet board-specified certification, education, and skill standards for immunization administration, and mandates notification to the prescribing healthcare provider after vaccination. This change directly affects pharmacists and patients seeking convenient vaccination access within pharmacy settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 139 creates a new category of employer-sponsored health benefit plans that may exclude certain state-mandated health benefits, while still requiring coverage for federal essential health benefits. It requires health benefit plan issuers to offer these "employer choice of benefits plans" and mandates clear written notice to enrollees at the start of enrollment documents. The notice must explicitly state that the plan may exclude standard Texas-mandated benefits and provide fewer benefits than typical plans, with bold text highlighting this choice. The bill establishes definitions and rules for these plans under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1506. This directly affects employers offering health benefits and employees choosing their coverage options.

Maddy summaryHB 3920 requires the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to create rules recognizing career and technology education (CTE) programs. These programs include high school CTE courses and similar offerings from colleges or private schools. The rules must specify how program completion credits toward licensing, define who can teach these programs, and set standards for classroom hours, practical training (including on-the-job credit), and ensure college programs don’t impose stricter requirements than high school programs. The bill affects CTE students seeking licenses in regulated fields and aims to standardize recognition across educational settings.

Maddy summaryHB 3695 limits copayments for physical therapy visits under certain health plans. It prohibits health maintenance organizations and preferred provider plans from charging enrollees a higher copayment for a physical therapist visit (without a referral) than for a primary care physician visit. The law applies to plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas enrollees who use physical therapy services without needing a physician referral.

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 240 is not currently available in the provided context, and no substantive details about its provisions or effects are included. The summary section is empty, and the bill's content is only referenced as "coming soon" with a note to consult a PDF (which isn't provided). Without access to the actual bill language or specific policy changes, a factual summary cannot be generated. We recommend checking the official bill document or the PDF link referenced in the context for details.

Maddy summaryHB 1228 allows homeowners to immediately begin emergency repairs on damaged residential buildings if the repairs protect public safety, prevent further damage, or preserve structural integrity. Homeowners must apply for an emergency permit within three business days of starting repairs or when the municipality/county can accept the application. The bill requires cities and counties to permit these immediate repairs and prohibits them from blocking such work. If a local government violates this law, homeowners can sue for damages and recover attorney fees. This directly affects homeowners needing urgent repairs and local governments managing building permits.

Maddy summaryHB 4462 allows counties with over 3.3 million residents to hire outside legal counsel when a county official faces a civil action or requires legal help related to their duties, and the county attorney might have a conflict of interest. The bill requires approval from the county commissioners court for such contracts and prohibits the county attorney from providing legal services in these situations. Payments for outside counsel must be authorized by the commissioners court and are subject to county auditor review. This bill specifically amends Texas Government Code Section 2254.155 to create this process for large counties facing potential conflicts.

Maddy summarySB 1879 transfers a specific 14.999-acre tract of land in Walker County from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to Walker County. The county must use the property exclusively for a justice center (such as a courthouse or detention facility) and cannot repurpose it or fail to use it for that purpose within 10 years of transfer, or ownership reverts to the state. The bill specifies the property's boundaries and requires a formal transfer document with these usage restrictions. The bill was signed into law by the governor on May 13, 2025, and is now effective.