Rep. Vikki Goodwin

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 945), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally honors Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025, recognizing his life, leadership as the first Latin American pope, and global efforts to serve the vulnerable. The resolution memorializes his legacy, including his work during Argentina's economic crisis, interfaith initiatives, and pandemic-era outreach. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express collective remembrance.

Maddy summaryHB 1644 exempts individuals from certain drug law penalties when using, possessing, delivering, or manufacturing equipment that tests for fentanyl, its derivatives, or xylazine. It directly affects harm reduction organizations, first responders, and public health workers who use testing kits to identify these substances in communities. The bill adds a new exception (Section 481.125(j)) to Texas' Health and Safety Code, clarifying that testing equipment for these specific drugs is not subject to criminal penalties under existing law. The exemption applies only to equipment testing for fentanyl, alpha-methylfentanyl, or xylazine, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 258 is a ceremonial resolution adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on April 17, 2025, to congratulate Dick Lavine on his retirement as a senior fiscal analyst at Every Texan. The resolution highlights his 30-year career with the nonprofit, his background as a licensed attorney and chartered financial analyst, and his service on various boards including the Travis Central Appraisal District and City of Austin Retirement System. It does not create any policy changes or affect any laws, as it is purely a symbolic expression of appreciation for his professional contributions. This procedural resolution was formally adopted and recorded in the House Journal.

Maddy summaryHB 392 requires Texas voter registrars to provide specific written or oral reasons when rejecting a voter registration application. Registrars must identify which section of the application caused the rejection and clarify if it was incomplete, improperly filled out, or contained information showing the applicant is ineligible. This change applies to all voter registration denials processed under Texas election law and takes effect September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects applicants whose applications are denied and the local registrars who handle voter registration.

Maddy summaryHB 4392 prohibits Texas insurance companies from denying coverage, limiting benefits, or charging higher rates to individuals solely because they are widowed or their marital status reflects a spouse's death. It applies to new insurance policies issued on or after September 1, 2025, but does not affect existing policies in force before that date. The law requires insurers to treat widowed people the same as married individuals for rate and coverage purposes. This change updates the Texas Insurance Code to eliminate marital status discrimination following spousal loss.

Maddy summaryHB 446 creates new workplace heat illness prevention standards for employers in hot environments, directly affecting workers (especially in outdoor or high-heat occupations like construction and agriculture) and their employers. The bill establishes a state advisory board to develop prevention guidelines, imposes administrative penalties for violations, and allows workers to sue employers directly if heat safety rules are ignored. Key provisions include mandatory employer training, equipment requirements for extreme heat, and a legal pathway for workers to seek compensation without relying solely on state enforcement. The bill aims to reduce heat-related injuries by setting clear, enforceable safety requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-time cost-of-living adjustment for certain Texas teachers' retirement benefits, payable in January 2026. It applies to retirees and beneficiaries who retired or whose members died before January 1, 2025, and receive specific retirement or survivor benefits (e.g., standard service annuities or survivor payments under Sections 824.402 or 824.502). The adjustment excludes benefits with fixed amounts, such as those for disability retirees under 10 years of service or certain survivor payments. It directly affects eligible retirees and beneficiaries meeting the pre-2025 date criteria, without altering ongoing benefit calculations.

Maddy summaryHB 5300, known as the Dr. Michael James Babineaux Act, requires the Texas A&M Transportation Institute to create an interactive map ranking all public road segments in Texas by their estimated crash costs (including injuries, property damage, and road repairs) over five years. The Texas Department of Transportation must then develop annual safety plans targeting the top 10-12 road segments in each district, focusing on measures like adaptive traffic signals, highway safety corridors, and temporary fixes such as painted markings, temporary speed bumps, or curb extensions. This directly affects local governments (counties and municipalities), drivers on high-injury roads, and the state’s transportation planning. The bill does not increase fines for traffic violations but establishes a data-driven system to prioritize safety improvements on the most dangerous road segments.

Maddy summaryHB 5164 would require employers with 50 or more employees in Texas to provide up to 60 days of paid parental leave for eligible employees. This leave covers events like childbirth (for the employee, spouse, or surrogate), adoption, or foster/kinship care for a child under one year. Employees would receive pay equal to their average weekly wage over the past 12 months, without duplicating federal Family and Medical Leave Act benefits. The law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who take this leave and restricts usage to one instance per 12 months within one year of the qualifying event.

Maddy summaryHB 5608 requires Texas public colleges and universities to accept specific documentation proving a student has a disability for accommodations. It lists six types of acceptable proof, including K-12 individualized education plans (IEPs), Section 504 accommodations, medical diagnoses, or military service-related disability records. The bill also mandates that institutions clearly explain their accommodation policies to students, parents, and faculty through orientations and public websites. This applies to all public institutions of higher education in Texas, effective September 1, 2025.