Rep. Ryan Guillen

Maddy summaryHB 1481 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt written policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day on school property or at school events. Exceptions allow device use for students with documented medical needs, individualized education plans (IEPs), or health/safety protocols. Schools may implement either a full device ban or a secure storage system for devices during school hours, and must return confiscated devices or dispose of them after providing parents 90 days' written notice. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

Maddy summarySB 1663 requires Texas water authorities to notify affected parties within 30 days of discovering groundwater contamination. It mandates written or electronic notice (via mail, email, or door notice) to private well owners potentially impacted, nearby groundwater conservation districts, and residents living within one mile of the contamination site. The bill updates Texas Water Code Section 26.408(b) to establish these specific notification procedures. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting well owners, local water districts, and nearby residents in contamination cases.

Maddy summarySB 2601 creates a state program to compensate agricultural landowners and lessees for property damage caused by border-related criminal activities. It defines "border crime" as specific offenses involving transnational criminal activity (like drug trafficking or illegal border crossings) under Texas law. The attorney general will administer compensation for physical damage, debris, pollutants, or soil contamination, including costs to restore agricultural use. Insurance companies cannot factor such claims into rate-setting for policies delivered or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 912 requires Texas health care licensing entities (such as those for doctors, nurses, and other licensed practitioners) to establish electronic continuing education (CE) tracking systems. These systems must verify that practitioners complete required CE courses before license renewal and be accessible to practitioners, licensing staff, and CE providers. The bill mandates that license renewal cannot proceed without verification through this system, which also becomes the standard for agency audits. This applies to practitioners licensed under specific Occupations Code chapters (401, 453, 454, and related subchapters), effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3680 modifies subdivision plat requirements in specific Texas counties (defined under Section 232.022) by creating exceptions for certain pre-existing land developments. It allows utility providers to connect land to water, sewer, or other services without a municipal plat certificate if the land meets strict criteria, such as having a completed foundation built before specified dates (1995, 1999, or 2005) and adequate sewer services installed. The bill authorizes counties to charge a fee for processing these exceptions and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance, while creating a criminal offense for willful violations. This directly affects landowners, utility providers, and municipal authorities in the designated counties, streamlining connections for older developments that predate current plat requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2217 creates a state grant program to help law enforcement agencies purchase and install bullet-resistant components on vehicles used by peace officers. It directly affects state and local law enforcement agencies (including county and city police departments) by providing funding for bullet-resistant windshields, side windows, rear windows, and door panels. The program requires the Criminal Justice Division to set eligibility rules, application procedures, and grant amounts, while agencies must submit proof of installation after using funds. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and focuses solely on funding vehicle safety upgrades for officers.

Maddy summaryHB 1443 creates a new criminal offense in Texas for promoting or possessing a "child-like sex doll," defined as an obscene, anatomically correct doll or robot designed to look like a child and intended for sexual use. It prohibits three specific actions: promoting such dolls (felony, second degree), possessing them with intent to promote (felony, third degree), or simply possessing them (state jail felony). The law presumes intent to promote if someone possesses two or more dolls, but includes an exception for law enforcement using them for legitimate purposes. This bill directly affects individuals who manufacture, sell, or own these dolls, making the specified actions punishable under Texas Penal Code.

Maddy summaryHB 1234 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to provide applicants with written notice of a potential denial and a 30-day period to submit additional information before denying a handgun carry license application when a medical advisory board has indicated the applicant may be unable to exercise sound judgment regarding handgun use and storage. The bill applies only to applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, and directly affects individuals whose applications are flagged by the medical advisory board under the Health and Safety Code. Key provisions include mandating the department to forward applicant materials to the full medical advisory board for review and requiring the board to submit written reports on the applicant's judgment before the department makes a final licensing decision.

Maddy summaryHB 824 requires Texas public high schools to include specific civics content in their government curriculum starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates that the State Board of Education adopt standards covering the roles of elected officials (statewide, county, city), Texas voting processes and election laws, eligibility requirements for office, basic parliamentary procedures, and identifying local representatives. This directly affects all Texas public high school students and educators implementing the social studies curriculum. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6 amends Texas Education Code Section 12.111 to update requirements for charter schools. The bill specifically adds new criteria allowing charter schools to exclude students who were expelled under Section 37.007, placed in disciplinary alternative education programs under Section 37.006, or have documented criminal histories or discipline problems. While the bill title mentions telehealth mental health services in public schools, the provided text does not detail provisions for telehealth access. The legislation primarily affects charter schools by modifying their student admission policies and discipline management standards. HB 6 was signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025, and is now effective.