Rep. Janis Holt

Maddy summaryHJR 98 is a Texas legislative resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose spending limits on the federal government, reduce federal power over states, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. Texas formally applies to Congress to initiate this process, with the resolution intended as a continuing application until at least 34 states (two-thirds) support the same purpose. This is a procedural request - Texas has no authority to create new laws, but aims to join other states in advancing this constitutional mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 2587 requires Texas hospitals to report costs of providing care to patients without legal immigration status. Hospitals must ask about immigration status during intake (without affecting care) and submit quarterly data on costs and financial impact to a state agency. The agency then compiles an annual report for lawmakers by November 1, detailing total costs and how these expenses affected hospitals. This applies to all Texas hospitals serving patients who were not lawfully present at the time of care, focusing on transparency about uncompensated care expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 3892 limits county regulatory authority over subdivision development in Texas. It prohibits counties from regulating aspects like minimum lot sizes, building floor space ratios, or the number of residential units per acre (density restrictions). The bill allows counties to establish reasonable building set-back lines and lot frontage standards only on *existing* county roads, not new roads, with specific limits (25 feet for regular roads, 50 feet for major highways). This directly affects how counties can plan and regulate new residential subdivisions and infrastructure. The bill was introduced by Representative Bell and failed to pass in the 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summaryHB 2031 prevents landlords from banning tenants from lawfully possessing firearms in specific areas of rental properties. It allows tenants to keep firearms in their rental units, vehicles parked in landlord-provided lots, and areas needed to access their unit or premises. Landlords who violate this law face civil penalties: $1,000-$1,500 for a first offense and $10,000-$10,500 for repeat violations. Tenants must first give landlords written notice of the violation and allow 3 business days to fix it before reporting to the attorney general. The collected penalties fund crime victim compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 1128 amends Texas Penal Code Section 46.03 to create an exception allowing licensed election judges and certain early voting staff to carry concealed handguns while performing their duties at polling places. This directly affects election judges (as defined in Election Code Chapter 32) and early voting clerks/deputies serving as election judges at early voting locations. The bill modifies the existing prohibition on concealed carry at polling places to exclude these specific election personnel who hold valid handgun licenses. The change applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits late payment fees charged by municipal water utilities in Texas. It caps fees at $5 or 2% of the overdue amount before day 32, $5 or 5% between days 32-41, and $5 or 10% after day 41. Utilities cannot begin charging penalties before 21 days after billing a customer, and penalties end when the full amount is paid. The rules apply only to fees charged on or after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed by two-thirds vote).

Maddy summaryHB 5645 changes the term length for chairs of county ethics commissions in Texas. It amends the Local Government Code to require that county ethics commission chairs serve a one-year term (previously six months), selected by a majority vote of commission members. This change applies only to chairs selected on or after September 1, 2025, with existing chairs continuing under the previous six-month term rules. The bill directly affects county ethics commission chairs and their selection process in Texas counties.

Maddy summaryHB 3219 would allow Texas pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without a doctor's prescription by requiring the state health commissioner to issue a statewide order. The bill mandates standardized protocols for pharmacists, including providing patient instructions on proper use, and protects pharmacists from liability when acting in good faith. It also requires pharmacists to submit annual reports on dispensing volumes. This directly affects licensed pharmacists and patients seeking ivermectin, changing current requirements that typically require a prescription.

Maddy summaryHB 954 clarifies when counties can cancel subdivisions in areas outside city limits but within a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). It modifies a local government code section to specify that county authority over subdivisions applies only to property outside cities and outside ETJ areas not covered by specific agreements between cities and counties (under Sections 242.001(d)(2) or (d)(3)). This directly affects counties and municipalities in ETJ areas where such agreements exist. The bill does not create new policy but refines existing legal boundaries for subdivision approvals.

Maddy summaryHJR 138 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to prohibit the state legislature from imposing taxes based on the carbon content of fuels or emissions of carbon dioxide from goods and services. If approved by voters, it would prevent Texas from enacting any carbon tax policy. The bill failed to pass the Texas Legislature on May 12, 2025, so it did not advance to a voter referendum. This would have directly affected all Texans by blocking a potential state-level carbon tax mechanism.