Rep. Armando Walle

Maddy summaryHB 1201 creates a two-year Medicaid pilot program in Texas to cover doula services for eligible pregnant individuals. The program, launching in 2026 in the most populous county and the county with the highest maternal health needs, provides nonmedical childbirth support like emotional and physical coaching during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum. The Health and Human Services Commission must report annually on costs and birth outcomes, and submit a final evaluation by 2030 to determine if the program should continue or expand. The pilot expires September 1, 2031, after which coverage would not automatically continue.

Maddy summarySB 2349 modifies Texas Property Code notice requirements for tenants in floodplain rental properties. It exempts short-term leases (under 30 days) and specific temporary residential arrangements (like pre-closing home occupancy) from mandatory floodplain notices. Landlords must now provide required notices in writing - via lease text, addendum, or separate document - with both parties signing to confirm receipt. The law applies only to leases entered into or renewed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing leases.

Maddy summaryHB 1738 repeals the criminal penalty for homosexual conduct (previously codified in Section 21.06 of the Penal Code). It simultaneously amends health education requirements in Texas schools to mandate that materials for minors include the statement that "homosexual conduct is not an acceptable lifestyle," while incorrectly referencing the repealed law. The bill affects public school health curricula for students under 18, requiring this specific language to be included in sexual education programs. The legislation passed the Texas legislature on May 16, 2025, and would take effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summaryHB 3641 allows Texas counties to regulate noise levels from residences in unincorporated areas through commissioners court orders, aiming to protect public health and safety. It directly affects residents in unincorporated county areas by enabling local noise rules, though it explicitly excludes fireworks regulation. Violating such orders twice or more would be a Class C misdemeanor (a minor criminal offense with a fine). The bill takes effect on September 1, 2025.

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 4893 establishes the "Breakthrough Program" to provide targeted academic advising for Texas students who are the first in their families to pursue college or who qualify for free/reduced-price lunch. The program requires the Texas Education Agency to coordinate with schools and social services, set performance goals for academic achievement, graduation rates, and college enrollment, and provide training for participating communities. Local school districts must develop funding plans to sustain services if state funding decreases, and may use federal, state, private, or school district funds to support the program. This bill directly affects first-generation college students and educationally disadvantaged youth in Texas public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 3208 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install highway signs guiding drivers to Dallas's Koreatown District by 2026. These signs must be placed at specific exits: Royal Lane for I-35E (both directions) and Luna Road for I-635 (both directions). The bill mandates installation no later than September 1, 2026, while ensuring signs comply with state and federal traffic device standards. This directly affects drivers traveling through those Dallas interchanges who wish to access the Koreatown District.

Maddy summaryHB 4442 would require Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to offer an elective mindfulness course for all students in middle school, junior high school, and high school. The course must teach specific techniques to enhance focus, manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and build self-awareness and compassion. High school students would be able to count this course toward their elective credit requirements for graduation. The bill would take effect for the 2026-2027 school year, unless it receives a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers, in which case it would take effect immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 178 requires Texas public school districts to include "ethnic studies, world geography, or world history" as one of the three required social studies credits for high school students, alongside existing mandates for U.S. history, government, and economics. It directly affects all Texas public school students in grades K-12 by modifying the social studies curriculum structure under the foundation high school program. The bill adds ethnic studies as a specific, mandatory option for fulfilling the social studies credit requirement, while maintaining other existing subject requirements. This change applies to all Texas public school districts offering grades K-12.

Maddy summaryHB 4839 creates a Texas Recycling Market Development Program under the Health and Safety Code to identify and expand recycling infrastructure. The bill requires the program administrator, in collaboration with the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office and a recycling advisory council, to produce a detailed annual plan identifying recyclable materials being recycled versus unused, economic benefits of recycling, processing capacity gaps, and barriers to using recycled materials. The plan must recommend specific actions for local governments and businesses to increase recycling use, support processing facilities, and develop new recycling markets. This directly affects Texas agencies, recycling processors, manufacturers, and local governments through mandated reporting and policy recommendations. The program plan must be updated annually and included in municipal waste reports.