Rep. Janis Holt

Maddy summaryHB 3742 prohibits public universities and colleges in Texas from providing instruction that promotes the use of gender pronouns inconsistent with a person's biological sex. The bill directly affects all public higher education institutions in Texas, banning classroom instruction that encourages pronouns not aligned with biological sex. It requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to create implementing rules and takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year. The law does not restrict students or faculty from using any pronouns privately but prohibits institutions from teaching or promoting specific pronoun usage in educational settings.

Maddy summaryHB 3814 requires most health benefit plans in Texas to cover prescription medications treating perimenopause and menopause. This applies to private insurance plans, health maintenance organizations, Medicaid, and other covered health plans that provide prescription drug benefits. The law mandates this coverage for plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, with the bill taking effect September 1, 2025. It does not specify particular medications but requires coverage for any prescription drug used to treat these conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 3737 prohibits healthcare providers from prescribing, delivering, administering, or using any COVID-19 vaccine containing mRNA material (defined as vaccines introducing mRNA corresponding to viral protein) for prevention of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease. It also bans advertising or soliciting patients for such vaccines. The bill directly affects medical professionals, clinics, and entities involved in vaccine distribution or promotion. If enacted, these prohibitions would take effect on September 1, 2025. (Note: This is proposed legislation; it has not yet passed.)

Maddy summaryHB 3817 would create a new criminal offense in Texas law by making it a state jail felony to knowingly provide a false statement about one's biological sex (assigned at birth) to a government entity or employer. The bill specifically targets individuals who state they are the opposite sex of their birth-assigned sex in such communications. It does not affect general gender identity expression but applies only to false statements made to government offices or employers. The law would take effect on September 1, 2025, if passed. This bill directly impacts how individuals interact with government agencies or workplaces regarding gender-related identity documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 3456 prohibits Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools from selling drinks containing high fructose corn syrup, effective with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill specifically exempts drinks sold at sporting events or other special events organized by the school. It directly affects schools that sell beverages to students through cafeterias, vending machines, or other school-operated sales. The law requires schools to replace affected drinks with alternatives that do not contain high fructose corn syrup.

Maddy summaryHB 3522 requires that any product labeled "Texas honey" must consist exclusively of honey produced from apiaries located within Texas. This law directly affects honey producers, sellers, and manufacturers who currently use the "Texas honey" label on products. The bill prohibits labeling, selling, or offering for sale any product as "Texas honey" unless all honey in the product comes from Texas apiaries. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, giving businesses time to comply with the new labeling standard. This is a straightforward labeling requirement with no additional provisions or exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 3465 prohibits the administration of vaccines containing mRNA material to livestock and domestic fowl raised for human consumption. The bill defines "mRNA material" as substances introducing instructions for viral proteins. The Texas Agriculture Commission must create rules banning these vaccines, directly affecting farmers raising animals for food. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3313 requires non-broadcast political advertisements (such as print, digital, or mailers) to display disclosure statements in text that is easily readable with a type size no smaller than 9 points. This bill directly affects political campaigns, PACs, and advertisers who produce non-broadcast political content. The requirement applies only to ads published or distributed on or after September 1, 2025, with older ads governed by previous rules. The law aims to improve readability of disclosure information for voters.

Maddy summaryHB 3399 prohibits physicians and health care providers in Texas from performing certain gender transition procedures or prescribing specific treatments for minors (under 18) using public funds. It bans surgeries like hysterectomy, orchiectomy, and mastectomy, as well as prescription drugs that block puberty or cause infertility (e.g., puberty blockers or high-dose hormone therapy). The bill specifically targets Medicaid and public assistance programs, restricting their use for these services for children. Exceptions allow care with parental consent for individuals under 18. The law applies to all public health programs covered under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 161.

Maddy summaryHB 3081 increases civil penalties for deceptive business practices under Texas' Consumer Protection Act. It raises the maximum penalty per violation from $10,000 to $20,000 and adds an extra $250,000 if the deceptive act targeted seniors (65+), non-English speakers, or people with intellectual disabilities. These higher penalties apply only to cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, while older cases follow previous law. The bill directly affects businesses engaging in deceptive practices against vulnerable consumers, with penalties paid to the state.