Rep. Janis Holt

Maddy summaryHB 3061 increases penalties for certain criminal offenses committed while wearing masks or disguises specifically to hide the offender's identity. It applies to offenses under Texas law covering assault, robbery, public disorder (Title 5, Chapters 28-30, or Sections 42.01/42.02). If proven, the punishment escalates to the next higher offense category, with a minimum 180-day jail term for Class A misdemeanors. Exceptions allow the penalty increase to be avoided if the disguise was for events like Halloween, proven by a preponderance of evidence.

Maddy summaryHB 3741 requires foreign students and employees at Texas public universities to sign a sworn affidavit stating they are not agents of a "foreign adversary" (defined as a nation hostile to the U.S. or Texas). The affidavit must include the exact statement: "I affirm that I am not an agent of a foreign nation hostile to the United States of America or the State of Texas." This applies to all non-citizen, non-permanent-resident students and employees enrolled or hired at public institutions, regardless of when they were admitted or hired. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may create rules to implement the requirement, but the bill itself mandates the affidavit as a direct condition of enrollment or employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 3426 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to issue digital versions of driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, and personal identification certificates. These digital licenses must be accessible via smartphone apps, include all standard license information, and meet security verification standards. The bill specifies that digital licenses will be treated as legally equivalent to physical licenses under Texas law for most purposes. It also authorizes the department to charge a fee for providing this service.

Maddy summaryHB 952 requires all mail-in early voting ballots to include a unique electronic code that election officials can scan to verify authenticity. It mandates that clerks and ballot boards use electronic devices to check these codes against issued ballots before counting, rejecting any ballot with a mismatched code. The bill explicitly prohibits creating records linking individual voters to these codes, ensuring voter anonymity. This change applies to all mail-in ballots processed under Texas election law, taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryHB 1079 would designate Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and Leadership Officer Training Corps (LOTC) programs as official public school career and technology education programs. This change would directly affect public schools offering these military-focused training programs, requiring them to be counted toward the state's career and technology education metrics. The bill also specifies that participation in these programs would serve as an indicator of military readiness within the public school accountability system. This legislation aims to formally integrate these programs into existing educational frameworks without altering their structure or curriculum. The bill is currently pending in committee after a public hearing.

Maddy summaryHB 4103 establishes a management framework for the Eyes of Father Margil State Historic Site and Trail in Nacogdoches, Texas. It allows the Texas Historical Commission to contract with the owning municipality to operate and administer the site, including provisions for expansion, preservation, visitor centers, and hiring staff. The bill creates a dedicated "Eyes of Father Margil Fund" funded by site admissions, gift shop sales, and donations, which can be used without legislative appropriation for site maintenance, repairs, or improvements. This bill directly affects the management and funding of this specific historic site and trail.

Maddy summaryThe bill HB 5597, titled "Relating to the definition of a Galveston County Port," appears to be a definitional measure focused on clarifying the scope or boundaries of Galveston County's port jurisdiction. However, the full bill text is not currently available in the provided context (only a placeholder note indicates it will be available soon). Without access to the specific language or provisions, no substantive summary of its mechanisms, affected parties, or policy changes can be generated. The bill failed to receive a committee vote on May 1, 2025, but this procedural status does not clarify the bill's content. For an accurate summary, the complete bill text would be required.

Maddy summaryHB 3578 allows counties bordering Mexico to adopt zoning rules for unincorporated areas with more than two residential units per acre. It authorizes regulations on building size, lot coverage, density, setbacks, and utility placement in these areas. The bill creates a criminal offense for violating these zoning rules, with enforcement handled by county commissioners courts. It applies only to border counties and requires public hearings and specific voting procedures for adoption. The bill remains pending in committee as of May 2025.