Rep. Cody Vasut

Maddy summaryHB 4080 adjusts salary structures for Texas judicial positions and ties retirement benefits to these changes. It sets a minimum $182,000 annual base salary for district judges (up from $140,000), establishes percentages for other judges (e.g., appeals justices at 110% of district judge pay), and includes specific caps on combined state/county compensation. Retirement benefits for elected officials are recalculated using the new district judge salary as a benchmark. The bill directly affects district judges, court of appeals justices, supreme court justices, and criminal appeals judges, with special provisions for the 15th Court of Appeals and chief justices.

Maddy summaryHB 4082 limits annual increases in the appraised value of residential homestead property for property tax purposes in Texas. It directly affects homeowners who own their primary residence, capping annual valuation increases at 10% of the prior year's appraised value plus that value, or the most recent determined market value - whichever is lower. The bill amends Section 23.23 of the Texas Tax Code to establish this cap and adds new provisions clarifying how appraised values are calculated for new homeowners. It applies to homestead properties and aims to stabilize property tax bills for residential owners. The bill is currently pending in the Property Tax Appraisals committee.

Maddy summaryHB 3952 amends Texas tax law to exempt motor vehicles transferred from a decedent's estate from gift tax. It specifically adds "a decedent's estate" as a qualifying source for the exemption (previously limited to transfers from family members or certain trusts). The bill also requires recipients to file a joint statement in person with acceptable ID (like a driver's license or passport) at the tax assessor-collector's office, rather than through motor vehicle title services. This change directly affects individuals inheriting vehicles through an estate, clarifying their tax exemption eligibility and updating the filing process.

Maddy summaryHB 3934 prohibits Texas state agencies, local governments, and law enforcement from assisting federal agencies in enforcing certain federal gun regulations. It specifically blocks cooperation on federal requirements like gun registries, licensing for ownership, background checks for private sales, or confiscation of firearms from law-abiding owners. The bill also establishes new state protections for the right to bear arms through a new Government Code chapter. It applies to all Texas governmental entities, including counties, cities, and state departments.

Maddy summaryHB 3932 creates a Class A misdemeanor offense for federal government officers who conduct certain searches or arrests in Texas without meeting specific requirements. It directly affects federal agents and officers by prohibiting: (1) no-knock entries on Texas residents' property, (2) nighttime searches/arrests at residences (8 p.m.-8 a.m.), and (3) searches/arrests without first obtaining the local sheriff’s consent. The law would apply when federal officers act within Texas, with penalties for violations. This bill does not affect state law enforcement or Texas residents’ rights directly.

Maddy summaryHB 4100 protects healthcare providers from retaliation when reporting certain issues related to patient care. It prohibits health care facilities, government entities, or others from taking adverse actions (like termination or demotion) against physicians or providers who report violations such as unsafe treatment practices, public health risks, mismanagement of funds, or abuse of authority. The bill creates a civil remedy, allowing affected providers to sue for damages if retaliation occurs. It applies broadly to all healthcare workers covered under the definition, including nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and medical students. The law aims to encourage reporting of serious concerns without fear of professional consequences.

Maddy summaryHB 2010 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to dissolve special districts that have been inactive for at least 10 consecutive years and have no outstanding bonded debt. It directly affects inactive special districts (as defined in Water Code Section 49.001) that no longer perform their intended functions. The bill establishes a mandatory dissolution process: districts inactive for 10+ years must be dissolved within 180 days of the law's effective date (September 1, 2025), with no debt. This applies automatically to qualifying districts without requiring further hearings or petitions.

Maddy summaryHB 3736 prohibits Texas public school districts and charter schools from serving food or drinks containing specific artificial color additives in school meals. The bill bans nine listed additives (including red 40, yellow 5, blue 1, and caramel) and any substantially similar substitutes. This policy directly affects school nutrition programs, requiring them to remove these additives from all meals served to students starting the 2025-2026 school year. The law does not apply to food sold in vending machines or à la carte items outside of regular meals.

Maddy summaryHB 3739 requires Texas public schools to include specific fetal development instruction in health classes for students in grades 7 through 12 starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates teaching about weekly fetal growth, medically assisted termination procedures (including abortion-inducing drugs), and other causes of fetal termination (such as drug/alcohol effects), alongside resources supporting pregnancy continuation through faith-based organizations. It does not require teaching about abortion access but specifies that recommended resources must not be linked to organizations providing or advocating for fetal termination. This policy directly affects Texas public school curricula and students in grades 7-12.

Maddy summaryHB 3735 requires health insurance plans in Texas to cover prenatal care, childbirth, and postnatal care provided in hospitals, birthing centers, or home settings. It specifically mandates coverage for nurse midwife services, prenatal visits (including ultrasounds), related blood/urine tests, childbirth in all three settings, and prescription drugs for pain management during labor. This applies to all health benefit plans offering maternity coverage, including those from traditional insurers, HMOs, health maintenance organizations, and state health exchanges. The bill aims to standardize coverage for essential pregnancy-related services regardless of where care is delivered.