Rep. Denise Villalobos

Maddy summaryHB 2213 changes who serves on the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) board. It requires three board members to be insurance industry representatives actively selling windstorm/hail insurance in coastal counties, all must be Texas residents, and at least one must be a licensed agent (not tied to one company) selling these policies. It also mandates three members to live more than 100 miles from the coast, ensuring inland representation. This directly affects TWIA's decision-making on windstorm insurance rates and coverage, primarily impacting homeowners in coastal Texas who rely on TWIA policies.

Maddy summaryHB 3161 expands the required contribution rate options for employees in Texas municipal retirement systems, changing the permitted rates from "five, six, or seven percent" to "five, six, seven, or eight percent" of employee compensation. It directly affects Texas municipalities that participate in the Texas Municipal Retirement System, requiring all departments within a municipality to use the same contribution rate unless they had pre-1991 ordinances allowing different rates for different departments. Municipalities with existing multi-rate systems can continue those arrangements until they choose to standardize rates. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 12 requires the State Commission on Governmental Operations to review state agencies that regulate activities through licensing, such as professional or business licensing boards. The bill mandates that these agencies post online notices about the review process and public participation opportunities, and regulatory agencies must also notify licensees and seek their input. The commission must include findings, recommendations, and a 10-year performance analysis for regulatory agencies in its final report. This applies to state agencies in the executive branch with statewide licensing authority (excluding river authorities) and became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4623 creates new liability standards for Texas public schools and their employees regarding student sexual misconduct. It holds schools financially responsible if they act with gross negligence or intentional misconduct in hiring or supervising employees who commit sexual misconduct against students or fail to report suspected abuse. The law caps damages at $500,000 per victim in successful claims and requires the employee who committed the act to be named as a defendant. This directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and all professional school employees covered by the definition, including teachers, administrators, and even student interns. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

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 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 4377 requires the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and its contracted testing labs to destroy blood or tissue samples (genetic material) and delete genetic information after paternity testing is complete. The bill mandates that only the test results - protected as confidential under existing law - must be retained. This directly affects DFPS, its testing laboratories, and individuals who undergo paternity testing through the department. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, with all existing genetic material needing destruction by January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 823 requires sellers of meat, poultry, and shrimp in Texas to clearly label whether these products originated in Texas. Specifically, labels must state "whether the food originated in this state" for meat, poultry, or shrimp products. This applies to all retailers and importers selling these items within Texas, directly affecting businesses that handle such food products. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, after rules are adopted by the Health and Human Services Commission.

Maddy summaryHB 42 modifies how Texas allocates annual state funds to public universities and colleges by establishing a new formula based on space deficit, facilities condition, institutional complexity, and a separate allocation for the Texas State Technical College System. It specifies exact funding amounts for institutions like the University of North Texas ($65 million), Texas State University ($58 million), and Lamar University ($20 million) for the 2026 fiscal year. The bill changes the method of distributing constitutional appropriations from previous formulas to these new criteria and amounts. Signed into law on June 20, 2025, it takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4070 requires dentists to conduct in-person examinations and review diagnostic imaging (like x-rays) before patients can receive orthodontic devices such as braces. It prohibits selling or manufacturing these devices unless a dentist has provided the required exam and issued a prescription, or the seller has written confirmation from a dentist. The law directly affects dentists, orthodontic device sellers, and patients seeking orthodontic treatment. Key provisions mandate specific medical evaluations to identify conditions like gum disease or dental fractures that could make treatment unsafe. This replaces current practices by adding mandatory dentist oversight for device sales and design.