Rep. Lacey Hull

Maddy summaryHB 2969 prohibits the Texas State Bar from adopting rules, policies, or penalties that restrict law license applicants or holders based on religious beliefs or burden constitutional rights. It specifically bans limitations on licensing due to sincerely held religious beliefs, or restrictions on free speech (including religious or political views), religious association, or assembly. Exceptions allow rules that serve a compelling government interest narrowly tailored to that purpose, or that address willful bias in court proceedings. The bill enables licensees to challenge violations through administrative hearings or lawsuits under Texas law, but not in cases involving sexual misconduct allegations or criminal prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 4552, the Texas Antidiscrimination Act, prohibits governmental entities (like cities, counties, and state agencies) and their vendors from creating "discriminatory offices" that influence hiring or provide special benefits based on race, sex, color, or ethnicity. The bill defines such offices as unlawful unless approved in writing by the attorney general for specific, non-discriminatory purposes. It allows for legal action to stop violations and permits the state to withhold funds from local governments that fail to comply. The law aims to ensure government operations align with Texas constitutional protections against discrimination.

Maddy summaryHB 1674 would ban the production, sale, and use of certain agricultural products containing PFAS chemicals (like pesticides or crop protectants). It directly affects agricultural businesses, manufacturers, and sellers of these products. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations, treating unauthorized PFAS use as a punishable offense. The bill is currently pending in the Environmental Regulation committee after committee hearings. (Note: Full bill text is not yet available; this summary is based on the title and pending status.)

Maddy summaryHB 1953 strengthens rights for crime victims in Texas by requiring courts to verify that victims receive specific notifications before plea agreements are finalized. It mandates courts to confirm victims were informed about plea bargain terms at least five business days in advance and consulted regarding case disposition. Victims, guardians, or close relatives of deceased victims can petition the court to reset a plea hearing if these requirements are not met. The bill expands existing victim notification rights to include timely updates about court proceedings and case details. These changes apply to all crime victims, not limited to sexual assault cases, and establish a concrete enforcement mechanism through court petitions.

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 298 requires Texas driver's licenses and personal ID certificates to include a clear indication that the holder is a U.S. citizen. This applies to all licenses issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill specifies that licenses must also display the holder's full name, date of birth, a full-face photograph, a distinguishing number, and either a residence address or, for certain federal judges or officials, the courthouse address. It does not change existing requirements for non-citizens. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1290 bans seven specific food additives - brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, propylparaben, azodicarbonamide, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), red dye 3, and titanium dioxide - from free or reduced-price meals provided by Texas school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. The bill applies to meals served under federal programs like the National School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. It prohibits these additives in all meals provided to eligible students through school meal programs, effective for contracts entered into or renewed on or after September 1, 2025. The law aims to remove these additives from school meals without specifying health outcomes or industry impacts.

Maddy summaryHJR 161 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to explicitly prohibit non-citizen residents from voting in Texas elections. The bill would add "persons who are not citizens of the United States" as a new category barred from voting, alongside existing restrictions for minors, those declared mentally incompetent, and convicted felons. If approved by voters in November 2025, this constitutional change would formally enshrine the current legal standard - non-citizens already cannot vote in Texas - into the state constitution. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2025 general election, with ballot language specifying the change. This is a procedural constitutional amendment, not a new voting law.

Maddy summaryHB 1268 creates the Texas Technology and Innovation Program to help Texas businesses access federal funding for technology development. The program matches or supplements money businesses receive through federal small business innovation programs (like those under 15 U.S.C. § 638), specifically targeting eligible Texas-based companies. To qualify, businesses must be organized in Texas, maintain a Texas headquarters or facility, employ most workers in Texas, and already qualify for federal funding without concurrent state support. The bill outlines application requirements, including certification of eligibility and documentation of federal funding stages (like "phase zero" or "phase one" of federal processes).

Maddy summaryHB 200 requires courts to provide specific written instructions to juries during the penalty phase of felony trials for defendants convicted of crimes committed before age 18 (excluding certain violent offenses like mass shootings). The instructions clarify that parole eligibility typically begins only after 20 years of actual time served in prison (not counting good conduct credits), and that parole eligibility does not guarantee release. Juries must consider parole laws generally but cannot speculate on how they might apply to the specific defendant. This change directly affects sentencing decisions for juvenile offenders in Texas felony cases, ensuring juries understand parole timelines without influencing their verdict.