Rep. Christian Manuel

Maddy summaryHB 1716 expands Medicaid counseling access in Texas by allowing recipients to select licensed marriage and family therapist associates, licensed master social workers (pursuing clinical licensure), and licensed professional counselor associates. These providers, who are working toward full licensure, must be reimbursed at 50% of the rate paid to psychiatrists or psychologists for similar services. Reimbursement is capped at 3,000 hours or the supervised practice hours required for full licensure. The bill applies to counseling services provided under Medicaid, including at federally qualified health centers.

Maddy summaryHB 271 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to prepare a report by September 1, 2026, on enrollment and success rates for students with disabilities in Texas colleges and universities. The report must identify enrollment numbers, barriers to access, supportive institutional policies, accessibility of disability services, availability of information about educational rights, and potential policy recommendations. This bill directly affects students with disabilities and public/private higher education institutions, which must provide requested data to the Board. The report requirement expires September 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 141 adopts the revised Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children into Texas law, aligning state procedures with a national agreement. The bill updates Texas Family Code definitions and procedures to standardize how child welfare agencies in Texas and other states place children across state lines, ensuring consistent oversight and service delivery. It directly affects Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and child welfare agencies in other states involved in interstate placements. Key mechanisms include requiring placements to be "safe and suitable," enabling ongoing supervision between states, and mandating uniform data sharing to facilitate timely placements. The compact aims to streamline processes while maintaining each state's legal responsibility for children in out-of-state placements.

Maddy summaryHB 5223 requires Texas School Safety Center and Health and Human Services Commission to develop new safety and security audit procedures and emergency response protocols for licensed day-care centers. Day-care centers must follow these standardized protocols, conduct required safety audits according to the new procedures, and report results to the Texas School Safety Center. The bill creates specific requirements for audit frequency, reporting methods, and provides centers with training and technical assistance. This law will take effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting all day-care centers operating under Texas Human Resources Code.

Maddy summaryHJR 72 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to create a property tax exemption for the primary residence of an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability. This exemption would apply only if the disabled adult is related to the property owner or trustee within the third degree of blood relation (e.g., cousins or closer). The exemption amount would match the existing homestead tax break for primary residences. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2025 election.

Maddy summaryHB 125 creates the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine as a new academic unit within Tarleton State University. The bill establishes that the college will operate under the oversight of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, offer osteopathic medicine degrees under Tarleton's authority, and partner with public or private teaching hospitals. This legislation directly affects Tarleton State University students seeking osteopathic medicine degrees and expands Texas' network of medical education institutions. The bill amends Texas Education Code to formally include the new college in the state's list of authorized medical and dental programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1203 creates a new "Office of Food System Security and Resiliency" within the Texas Department of Agriculture to coordinate state efforts ensuring reliable food access and preventing disruptions in Texas' food supply chain. The office will work with local governments, schools, and food industry professionals to develop regional food security plans, promote local agricultural production (farm-to-store/table), and expand food access points by connecting producers with retailers and communities. It must submit annual recommendations to the legislature by December 1 of even-numbered years and manage the existing Texas Food System Security and Resiliency Planning Council. The office must be established by December 31, 2025, and the law takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas farmers, food distributors, local governments, and residents seeking stable food access.

Maddy summaryHB 3747 allows Medicaid managed care organizations to inform Medicaid recipients about private health plans available through government health insurance marketplaces (like those created under the Affordable Care Act). The bill removes existing restrictions in state marketing guidelines, enabling these organizations to share information about qualified health plans offered via exchanges. This change directly affects Medicaid recipients, who may learn about alternative coverage options, and Medicaid managed care organizations, which can now provide this information. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter Medicaid benefits or require recipients to switch plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HCR 19) is a concurrent resolution naming a new building in the Texas Capitol Complex. It directs the Texas Facilities Commission to name the structure at the northwest corner of Congress Avenue and 15th Street the "Irma Rangel Building." The resolution honors Irma Rangel, a pioneering Texas legislator who was the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas Legislature (1976) and championed education access, domestic violence services, and opportunities for marginalized communities. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new policy or affect any specific group beyond recognizing her legacy.

Maddy summaryHB 972 creates a property tax exemption for non-homestead properties serving as the primary residence of an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability. The exemption applies only when the disabled adult is related to the property owner or trustee within the third degree of consanguinity (e.g., cousin, niece/nephew). It provides a tax reduction equal to the standard homestead exemption amount under Section 11.13(b) of the Texas Tax Code. This exemption does not apply to properties already covered by homestead exemptions and excludes existing homestead-qualified properties. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, pending voter approval of a related constitutional amendment.