Rep. Cody Vasut

Maddy summaryHB 103 requires Texas comptroller to create and maintain a public database containing detailed information about bonds, taxes, and related projects for all taxing units (like cities, counties, and school districts) in Texas. The database must include bond ballot language, projected tax rates, election results, project uses of funds, and comparisons between adopted and voter-approved tax rates. It also mandates specific data for school district maintenance taxes. The bill includes civil penalties for noncompliance, aiming to increase transparency around local government financial decisions.

Maddy summarySB 2018 creates a tax credit for businesses that contribute to designated organizations, specifically allowing eligible entities to apply this credit against taxes paid under Texas's Alcoholic Beverage Code. The credit amount equals the lesser of the business's contributions to qualifying organizations or the taxes paid under the Alcoholic Beverage Code, with annual caps on total credits and contributions. Businesses must apply through the comptroller, who will determine eligibility based on existing Tax Code provisions (Sections 171.801-171.805). The credit expires on January 1, 2028, and directly affects alcohol-related businesses in Texas that pay taxes under the Alcoholic Beverage Code.

Maddy summaryHB 3153 requires facilities like residential treatment centers, juvenile detention centers, and homeless shelters to conduct criminal history checks and employment verifications for all staff, volunteers, and contractors who may have direct contact with children. It applies to the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, counties, and municipalities. The law mandates that facilities review state criminal records and verify employment for anyone potentially providing care, supervision, control, or routine interaction with children at these locations. This policy change aims to prevent physical or sexual abuse by ensuring background checks for all individuals in direct contact with children. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 1567 prohibits Texas home-rule municipalities from adopting zoning rules that limit the number of people occupying a dwelling unit based on age, familial status, occupation, relationship status, or family relationships. It directly affects homeowners, renters, and local governments in cities with home-rule authority by restricting certain occupancy regulations. The bill allows municipalities to still enforce occupancy limits based on health and safety standards from building codes, fire codes, health department rules, or affordable housing guidelines. Property owners can sue municipalities for violating this law and recover damages and attorney fees. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4310 grants members of governing boards (such as city council members or county commissioners) a special right to access public information maintained by their own governmental body or affiliated nongovernmental entity, but only when acting in their official capacity. The bill requires that such information be provided promptly and without charge, with confidential details redacted upon request. Governing board members must sign confidentiality agreements to protect sensitive information, and attorney-client privilege remains applicable. This law directly affects local elected or appointed officials managing public entities under Texas public information law.

Maddy summaryHB 3479 creates a state program to manage harmful vegetation, primarily Carrizo cane, along the Rio Grande River. The bill requires the state board to develop and implement this program specifically to address vegetation that impedes border security operations. It directly affects border security efforts by establishing a formal process for managing these plants in the Rio Grande corridor. The key provision mandates the state board to oversee this vegetation management, focusing on removing or controlling plants that obstruct border security.

Maddy summaryHB 4076 prohibits health care providers from denying organ transplants or related services (like evaluations, surgery, or waiting list placement) solely based on a patient's vaccination status. It allows providers to consider vaccination status only if medically significant to the transplant, following individualized assessment - such as if unvaccinated patients face higher infection risks. The law covers all transplant stages and protects providers who comply with it from penalties, while permitting alternatives like antibody testing instead of vaccination requirements. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all organ transplant candidates in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 2688 amends Texas law governing public retirement systems for firefighters in large municipalities. It lowers the population threshold for municipalities to establish such a fund from 2 million to 1.6 million residents. The bill clarifies "normal retirement age" as either 20 years of service (for pre-2017 hires) or age 50 with 10 years of service (for post-2017 hires). It also updates terminology related to actuarial cost methods used to calculate pension funding requirements. The bill became law on September 1, 2025, affecting firefighters in qualifying Texas cities.

Maddy summarySB 11 would allow Texas public school districts or charter schools (not affiliated with religious organizations) to adopt a policy requiring daily voluntary prayer and Bible/religious text reading periods on school campuses. To participate, students or employees must provide written consent from a parent/guardian or the employee themselves, acknowledging the choice to participate and waiving legal claims related to the policy. The bill prohibits mandatory participation, using public address systems for these activities, or substituting this time for instruction, and requires physical separation for those who opt out. School districts must also follow specific guidelines to accommodate non-participants, and the Texas Attorney General would provide legal guidance and defend districts in related lawsuits.

Maddy summarySB 1212 amends Texas Penal Code Section 20A.02 to expand the definition of human trafficking offenses and increase criminal penalties. The bill specifically targets traffickers who force victims into labor, services, or prohibited activities (like prostitution or sexual assault), with enhanced provisions for cases involving children or disabled individuals regardless of the trafficker's knowledge of the victim's status. It increases penalties for trafficking that results in sexual conduct or exploitation, including new provisions addressing online promotion of prostitution. This law directly affects individuals convicted of trafficking offenses, particularly those involving vulnerable populations, and became effective September 1, 2025.