Rep. Cody Vasut

Maddy summaryHB 3738 requires the Texas Department of Agriculture (with Texas Education Agency assistance) to conduct an annual study measuring PFAS levels in school lunches served through the state's school lunch program. The study must test representative samples of all foods distributed to schools under the program and other foods commonly purchased using program subsidies. Results must be reported annually to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house, and all legislators by December 31 each year, with the first report due December 31, 2026. This bill directly affects Texas public school lunch programs and the agencies managing food safety compliance.

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 1490 would create a new criminal offense for specific unauthorized uses of vehicles, targeting conduct like driving a vehicle without permission in certain circumstances. The bill aims to address unauthorized vehicle use through defined legal penalties, though the exact scope of prohibited conduct isn't detailed in the available information. Currently in committee, the bill's full text is not accessible, so precise mechanisms or who would be directly affected cannot be confirmed from the provided context. For complete details, the full bill text would need to be reviewed when available.

Maddy summaryHB 3639 allows physical therapists in Texas to provide initial treatment to patients for up to 20 consecutive business days without a referral from a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider. After this 20-day period, therapists must obtain a referral to continue treatment. The bill amends Texas law to extend the initial treatment window from 10 to 20 days and repeals the previous shorter timeframe. This directly affects physical therapists and their patients by changing the initial care access rules in Texas. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, with implementing rules due by December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3473 allows property owners in Texas to pay ad valorem (property) taxes online using credit cards, debit cards, or electronic transfers. The bill permits local tax collectors to charge a processing fee of up to 5% of the tax amount (including penalties or interest), but not more than the actual cost of processing. It requires counties to display online payment options on their websites and establish procedures for confirming electronic payments. This bill directly affects property owners who choose to pay taxes online instead of by cash or check.

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 summaryHJR 155 proposes a constitutional amendment establishing parents' rights to direct their child's education in Texas. If approved by voters, it would add Section 37 to the Texas Constitution, granting parents (including legal guardians and custodians) specific rights: choosing public school options, selecting alternative education like private or homeschooling, accessing school materials and records (including health records), and attending school meetings. The amendment prohibits denying these rights based on disability and allows the legislature to create processes to uphold them. The proposal requires voter approval in the November 2025 election.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 3393) changes how courts interpret state laws by requiring judges to focus solely on the written text of statutes, not on what lawmakers intended or what was said during debates. It prohibits courts from considering legislative history, such as committee reports, lawmaker statements, or debate records, when interpreting laws. The bill also clarifies that "shall" creates a mandatory duty and "must" establishes a requirement. These changes would apply to all court decisions interpreting Texas statutes, affecting how judges rule on legal cases.

Maddy summaryHB 676 allows landowners in Texas to use drones (unmanned aircraft) to locate and retrieve wounded or killed wildlife on their private property, provided they follow all federal aviation rules and obtain required FAA authorizations. The bill explicitly states that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission cannot require additional state permits beyond federal FAA compliance. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to private land use for wildlife recovery, not hunting or other activities.

Maddy summaryHB 3047 clarifies that all audio and visual materials created by Texas legislative bodies (including committees and agencies) are public property with no copyright restrictions. This means anyone can freely use recordings, photos, or videos from legislative sessions or committee meetings without needing permission. The bill removes existing copyright barriers by adding a new section to the Government Code and repealing two older provisions. It takes effect on September 1, 2025, making legislative recordings fully accessible to the public.