Rep. Janis Holt

Maddy summaryHB 5670 creates Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 259, which directly affects property owners within its boundaries. The bill grants the district limited authority to acquire private property for public projects (via eminent domain), issue bonds to fund infrastructure, and charge property owners fees, assessments, or taxes. Key provisions include authorizing the district to build and maintain roads, storm drainage systems, and other utility infrastructure under state law. The district must hold elections to confirm its creation and elect directors, with all actions requiring consent from affected municipalities. This bill enables the district to finance and manage local infrastructure improvements directly impacting Montgomery County residents.

Maddy summarySB 379 prohibits SNAP (food stamp) benefits in Texas from being used to purchase energy drinks, sweetened beverages (like soda), carbonated drinks, candy, potato/corn chips, and pre-packaged cookies. It directly affects SNAP recipients who previously could buy these items with their benefits. The law includes exceptions for milk products, milk substitutes (like almond milk), unsweetened beverages, infant formula, weight-loss drinks, and health-recommended products. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 4535 requires healthcare providers to obtain written informed consent before administering any COVID-19 vaccine to patients, including parental or guardian consent for minors or individuals lacking decision-making capacity. The law mandates that consent forms include acknowledgment of receiving a standardized information sheet developed by the state health department. This sheet must detail vaccine benefits/risks, accelerated development timeline, availability of long-term studies, manufacturer liability status, and instructions for reporting adverse reactions through the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The law, effective September 1, 2025, applies directly to healthcare providers and patients receiving COVID-19 vaccinations in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 1230 designates Farm-to-Market Road 10 in Panola County as the "Deputy Sheriff Chris Dickerson Memorial Highway" under Texas Transportation Code. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway and at appropriate intermediate locations along the route. This is a ceremonial designation with no new funding, regulations, or policy changes; it solely honors Deputy Sheriff Chris Dickerson. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after receiving approval from both legislative chambers and the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 4099 changes Texas law to allow physical therapists to treat patients without a referral for up to 10 consecutive business days, reducing the previous 30-day limit. After this initial period, therapists must obtain a referral from a licensed practitioner to continue treatment. The bill directly affects physical therapists and their patients by modifying practice requirements. It repeals an existing subsection and requires the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners to adopt implementing rules by December 1, 2025, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 229 defines key terms like "boy," "father," "female," and "woman" based on biological sex for government data collection. It specifies that individuals with intersex conditions or disorders of sex development are not considered a third sex and must receive accommodations under existing law. The bill amends the Government Code to require state agencies to use these biological sex definitions when gathering information. It directly affects how Texas government entities collect and categorize personal data in records, programs, and services. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 4429 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 281 in Blanco and Burnet Counties - between State Highway 71 and Ranch Road 962 - as the Muckleroy Family Memorial Highway. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the designated segment and at appropriate intermediate locations along the highway. This is a commemorative designation with no new policy or funding requirements; it solely names the highway segment for recognition. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after receiving gubernatorial approval.

Maddy summaryHB 5680 creates the Bayou Belle Municipal Management District No. 1 in Liberty County, Texas, to promote economic development and public welfare. The bill grants the district limited eminent domain authority to acquire land, the power to issue bonds for financing projects, and the ability to impose assessments, fees, and taxes on properties within the district. It directly affects property owners and residents in the designated district area by enabling the district to fund improvements like infrastructure, parks, and safety services. The district is designed to supplement, not replace, existing county services, with its creation intended to support employment, commerce, tourism, and community development.

Maddy summaryHB 668 amends Texas law to change how handgun license holders renew their permits. It requires license holders to submit a renewal application form, pay a $40 nonrefundable fee, and sign an informational form on or before their license's expiration anniversary. This applies to all license holders renewing permits expiring before, on, or after the law's effective date. The bill, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, took effect immediately and directly affects Texas residents holding active handgun carry licenses seeking renewal.

Maddy summaryHB 2 amends Texas education law to change how public school districts and charter schools compensate teachers. It requires schools to implement performance-based pay systems where teacher salaries differentiate based on appraisals, prohibits routine across-the-board raises, and mandates that all teachers be eligible for designations like "master" or "exemplary" based on evaluations. The bill also establishes criteria for districts to qualify for enhanced teacher incentive funding, including strategic evaluation systems for principals and placing highly effective teachers at high-need campuses. This directly affects school districts, charter schools, and classroom teachers by restructuring compensation and evaluation practices.