Rep. Greg Bonnen

Maddy summaryHB 11 requires the Texas Attorney General to prosecute criminal offenses related to election laws, shifting responsibility from local prosecutors to the state level. It mandates that law enforcement agencies report such offenses to the Attorney General and obligates local prosecutors to provide requested information and assist in prosecutions. The Attorney General may also direct local district attorneys to either prosecute these cases or support the state's efforts. These changes apply only to offenses committed after the bill's effective date, which is set for 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas law enforcement agencies to maintain confidential "department files" for each employee who holds a law enforcement license (such as a peace officer). These files must include any documents about the employee not in their regular personnel file, including unsubstantiated misconduct allegations. Agencies must allow the licensing commission to access these files during hiring or investigations, and the files may be disclosed under specific legal provisions but remain confidential otherwise, not subject to public disclosure under Texas open records law. The bill applies to all Texas law enforcement agencies and their licensed employees.

Maddy summaryHB 225 requires specific public officials - including school board trustees, judges, court personnel, and others - to complete mandatory training on open meeting laws and governance. The training must cover topics like meeting procedures, notice requirements, penalties for noncompliance, and legal background, and must be provided by approved entities. Officials must receive a certificate of completion and maintain public records of their training for inspection. The bill also mandates that at least one training course be available at no cost in video or similar widely accessible format.

Maddy summaryHB 216 would require Texas groundwater conservation districts to limit new permits so that no single applicant can produce and transfer out more than 5% of the district's modeled available groundwater across all permits issued to them. This directly affects groundwater conservation districts when reviewing permit applications and applicants seeking new groundwater rights for production and transfer. The key provision mandates districts to calculate this 5% cap based on the district's modeled available groundwater, as determined by the executive administrator. The bill applies only to permits issued on or after its effective date, which is 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryHB 83 prohibits cities, counties, and other local governments from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofits that lobby on their behalf. It specifically bans spending taxpayer money to employ registered lobbyists or support organizations that primarily represent local governments and hire lobbyists. Taxpayers or residents can sue to stop violations and recover legal fees if public funds are improperly used for lobbying. The bill restricts how local governments spend public money on influencing state legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 92) aims to eliminate specific state-mandated student assessment tools that are not required by federal education law. It directly affects school districts and students by removing certain end-of-course tests and other state assessments. The bill's key mechanism is to reduce state assessment requirements that exceed federal mandates. However, the full text and specific assessment instruments to be eliminated are not currently available in the provided context. The bill was filed on July 14, 2025, but details about the affected assessments remain pending.

Maddy summaryHB 32, the Texas Women's Privacy Act, requires that certain facilities - such as restrooms, locker rooms, and family violence shelters - be designated and used based on biological sex, defined as the physical condition of being male or female at birth as determined by sex organs, chromosomes, and original birth records. The law applies to correctional facilities, family violence shelters, institutions of higher education, local governments (political subdivisions), and state agencies. It authorizes civil penalties for violations and creates a private right of action, allowing individuals to file lawsuits if they believe the law has been breached. The bill does not apply to state agencies as political subdivisions but covers them separately under the law's definition of "state agency."

Maddy summaryHB 36 prohibits Texas local governments (cities, counties, and other political subdivisions) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit associations that hire lobbyists. It specifically bans spending taxpayer money on lobbying activities aimed at influencing state legislation, such as hiring registered lobbyists to advocate before the legislature. However, the bill allows local officials to provide information to lawmakers, testify in person, or appear before committees without registering as lobbyists. Taxpayers can also sue if a local government violates these restrictions and seek recovery of legal fees. This law directly affects how local governments fund legislative advocacy efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 84 authorizes Texas pharmacists to dispense ivermectin for human use without a doctor's prescription, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking this medication. The bill requires the state health commissioner to issue a statewide order with standardized protocols for pharmacists, including patient instructions and annual reporting on dispensing volumes. It also provides legal protection for pharmacists who follow the order, shielding them from liability or disciplinary action. The commissioner must issue this order within 91 days after the legislative session ends, implementing the policy changes outlined in the new Health and Safety Code section.

Maddy summaryHB 149, the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, regulates how businesses use artificial intelligence systems that capture or store biometric data (like fingerprints or facial scans). It requires companies to obtain explicit consent before using biometric data for commercial AI purposes, unless the data was publicly shared by the individual themselves. The law exempts financial institutions retaining voiceprints, AI training data, and systems used for security, fraud prevention, or investigating illegal activity. Violations result in civil penalties, and the law takes effect January 1, 2026.