Rep. Sam Harless

Maddy summaryHB 4121 requires Texas health officials to assess Medicaid and child health program eligibility for youth in juvenile facilities or foster care before their release. If eligible, they must be enrolled immediately and receive services like telehealth mental health care. The bill mandates that juvenile justice departments create release plans to ensure continuous health coverage after leaving custody, or document barriers if plans cannot be made. This applies specifically to youth under Title 3 of the Family Code, which governs juvenile justice and foster care placements.

Maddy summaryHB 3825 increases the annual gross income limit for home-based cottage food production operations in Texas from $50,000 to $150,000. It directly affects small-scale home producers who make specific non-perishable food items (like baked goods, jams, dried fruits, nuts, and canned goods) and sell them only directly to consumers. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to clarify this income threshold while maintaining existing restrictions: operations must operate from a home kitchen, avoid time/temperature control foods, and sell exclusively to end consumers. The change takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3492 requires foster parents, adoptive parents, kinship caregivers, and Department of Family and Protective Services staff to complete an annual eight-hour online training course focused on children's emotional health. The training covers trauma-informed care, attachment issues, and emotional expression, and must be offered in both Spanish and English. This bill applies to individuals caring for children in foster care under the Department's conservatorship and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3538 establishes rules for Texas' Managed Care Consumer Choice Program, affecting health plans (managed care organizations) seeking contracts to provide services under state health programs. It requires plans to first meet certification, financial solvency, and performance standards before contracting with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The bill ensures program recipients (like those in STAR, CHIP, STAR Kids, or STAR+PLUS) can choose any qualified health plan in their area, while outlining consequences like corrective action plans or enrollment suspensions for non-compliant plans. The law applies specifically to these Medicaid programs but excludes the STAR Health program.

Maddy summaryHB 3008 creates a tuition and laboratory fee exemption for peace officers employed by the state or a local government who are enrolled in criminal justice or law enforcement degree programs at Texas public colleges and universities. To qualify, students must be making satisfactory academic progress and apply for the exemption at least one week before the term's registration deadline. The exemption applies to tuition and lab fees and takes effect for the 2025 fall semester. The bill repeals a prior section of the law governing this exemption.

Maddy summaryHJR 134 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas to legalize sports betting on certain events. It would specifically permit the legislature to authorize betting only through four types of entities: existing professional sports teams as of January 1, 2025; pre-2025 golf tournaments held in Texas; Class 1 racetracks operating by that date; or their designated representatives. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 4, 2025 election, with the ballot asking voters to support "authorizing the legislature to legalize wagering in this state on certain sporting events." If approved, it would change the Texas Constitution to permit regulated sports betting under these specific conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 76 prohibits local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to pay nonprofit organizations that accept public donations to post bail bonds for defendants. It directly affects political subdivisions that might fund such bail programs through public money. The bill bans this spending and allows taxpayers or residents to sue to stop it, with successful plaintiffs able to recover legal fees. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryHJR 15 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing judges to deny bail to individuals accused of specific serious crimes - including first-degree sexual offenses, violent offenses, or continuous human trafficking - pending trial. Judges may deny bail only after a hearing where they find, by clear and convincing evidence, that bail would not ensure the defendant’s court appearance or community safety. The amendment requires judges to issue a written order detailing their findings and reasoning. It does not restrict defendants’ rights to challenge bail denials under existing law and specifies that judges must consider standard bail factors when making decisions. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in the 2025 election.

Maddy summaryHJR 16 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas courts to deny bail to non-citizens (defined as "illegal aliens" under the bill) charged with felony offenses if a judge finds probable cause they committed the crime. The amendment specifies that bail denial applies only after a hearing where probable cause is established, not automatically. This change would require voter approval in November 2025 before taking effect, as it seeks to amend the Texas Constitution. The bill directly affects non-citizens facing felony charges in Texas courts who meet the defined "illegal alien" criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 2696 requires Texas public elementary and secondary schools to display a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The display must be at least 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall, contain only the specific text listed in the bill (including the full biblical wording), and be legible from any point in the classroom. Schools may accept privately donated displays meeting these requirements or use district funds to purchase compliant displays if needed. This law applies to all public schools and explicitly states they cannot claim exemption from this requirement.