Rep. Briscoe Cain

Maddy summaryHB 1304 requires clear labeling on products containing or derived from human fetal tissue, including food additives, medical products (like medications and vaccines), and cosmetics. The bill defines "human fetal tissue" as tissue, cells, or organs obtained from aborted unborn children. Sellers must label these products conspicuously by state rules, with full implementation required by December 1, 2025. This directly affects manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of such products sold in Texas. The law does not ban these products but mandates transparent labeling for consumers.

Maddy summaryHJR 86 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow the state legislature to establish a special district to serve as the seat of state government. If approved by voters, this change would grant the legislature authority to create a new designated area - separate from existing counties - for state government offices and operations. The bill does not specify a location but provides the mechanism for the legislature to choose a site for the new government seat. This amendment would directly affect state government organization and potentially impact residents in the area where the special district is established.

Maddy summaryHB 1133 prevents property owners' associations (POAs) from banning certified swim instruction in private pools on a homeowner's or resident's property. The bill defines "certified swim instruction" as lessons taught by an instructor certified by the American Red Cross, YMCA, or a similar organization using their established standards. While POAs cannot prohibit this instruction, they may impose specific conditions: lessons must occur in the rear yard (not visible from the street), between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., limit groups to four people, and require access to a permanent restroom connected to water and sewer. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryBased solely on the provided context, this bill's title indicates it relates to displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools, but the actual bill text is unavailable (noted as "not currently available" with a PDF reference). The bill was filed on November 12, 2024, and referred to the Public Education committee on March 7, 2025. No specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are described in the available information. Without access to the full bill text or summary details, a substantive policy summary cannot be provided.

Maddy summaryHB 1116 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to establish a system allowing active duty members of the U.S. armed forces to receive same-day walk-in appointments at driver's license offices. The bill amends the Transportation Code to mandate this expedited service as a convenience to military personnel. It directly affects active-duty service members in Texas who need driver's license services while deployed or stationed locally. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, and creates no new fees or eligibility requirements for military members.

Maddy summaryHB 1076 addresses unauthorized activities on real property, creating new criminal offenses for unauthorized entry, occupancy, or advertising of property for sale/rent. It increases penalties for these violations and authorizes a fee related to enforcement actions. The bill directly affects property owners, tenants, and individuals involved in real estate transactions by establishing clearer legal consequences for unauthorized property use. Key provisions include criminalizing specific unauthorized activities (like occupying a dwelling without permission) and adding financial mechanisms for enforcement. This legislation aims to strengthen property rights protections through defined penalties and administrative fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1049 would establish a Texas-issued currency backed by physical gold and silver held in a state-managed depository. It authorizes the comptroller to create this currency, representing specific fractions of a troy ounce of gold or silver, and requires it to function as legal tender for debt payments. The bill mandates electronic transfer capabilities for the currency and designates the Texas Bullion Depository as the exclusive issuer. It also authorizes a fee to cover administrative costs, though specific fee amounts are not detailed in the provided text. This bill is procedural in nature, creating a new currency framework rather than altering existing laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1158 requires Texas public schools to obtain written parental consent before providing human sexuality instruction to students. The bill mandates that schools give parents a separate, dedicated notice at least 14 days before such instruction begins, prohibiting bundling this request with other consent forms. It directly affects students in public schools receiving human sexuality education and their parents, who must provide written approval. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 921 allows social media users to sue platforms for prohibited censorship and seek specific statutory damages. If a platform violates the law by censoring a user's content, the user can recover between $750 and $30,000 per violation, plus declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and attorney fees. The bill explicitly states that certain other legal provisions (Sections 41.003 and 41.004) do not apply to these lawsuits. This law applies only to cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect cases that accrued before that date.

Maddy summaryHB 978 prohibits Texas public colleges and universities from using a student's immigration status when making disciplinary decisions, such as suspensions or expulsions. The bill adds a new section to the Education Code requiring institutions to exclude immigration status from all disciplinary proceedings. This directly affects immigrant students and public higher education institutions across Texas, ensuring their immigration status cannot influence campus disciplinary outcomes. The law would take effect on September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate implementation.