Rep. Donna Howard

Maddy summaryHB 2 requires justices of the peace in counties without a medical examiner to complete training on managing mass fatality events within one year of election. The training covers autopsy decisions, body identification protocols, missing persons data collection, interagency coordination, and real-time family notifications. Failure to complete this training is defined as "incompetency" for removal under local government law. The bill also allows the Texas Commission on Fire Protection to access criminal history records for license applicants and employees while restricting disclosure of that information. It authorizes fees related to these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 272 creates a state grant program to reimburse Texas municipalities and counties for helicopter operation costs when responding to multi-county disasters. The comptroller of public accounts will administer the program, covering expenses like fuel and maintenance for locally owned helicopters used during declared emergencies. Eligible entities cannot receive more than $750,000 annually in grants and must certify they aren’t also receiving federal or state funds for the same costs. The program requires standardized applications, spending deadlines, and procedures for monitoring funds, with rules to be established by May 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 226 requires youth camp operators in Texas to provide each camper with an active radio frequency identification (RFID) tag capable of tracking location if a camper goes missing or during severe weather/disasters. The bill directly affects youth camp operators and requires them to obtain written consent from a camper’s parent or legal guardian before issuing a tag. Key provisions include mandating the tags for emergency location tracking, prohibiting their use without parental consent, and directing the health commissioner to adopt implementing rules. The bill does not require ongoing tracking but only activates the tag during specific emergency scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 2421 sets a deadline for the Save Historic Muny District to secure land preservation for the Lions Municipal Golf Course or face dissolution. The bill requires the district to enter into an agreement with the landowner by May 31, 2027, to purchase the land or preserve it as a public golf course or parkland. If no such agreement is in place by that date, the district must dissolve under Section 3988.0901 of the Local Government Code. This directly affects the district’s operations and its relationship with the city regarding the historic golf course property.

Maddy summaryHB 413 would have limited pretrial detention for defendants charged with Class B misdemeanors or more serious offenses, preventing jail stays longer than the maximum sentence they could receive if convicted. It required courts to calculate whether a defendant’s cumulative time in jail before trial exceeded the potential sentence for their offense, mandating release if it did. Exceptions included defendants undergoing competency evaluations or subject to Chapter 46B commitment orders. The bill was vetoed by the governor on June 22, 2025, and never took effect.

Maddy summarySB 268 requires licensing agencies to forward complaints about healthcare practitioners to the agency that issued the practitioner's license if the complaint involves a different licensing entity. It prevents the receiving agency from taking disciplinary action unless the other agency refers the complaint back for investigation. The law applies only to complaints filed on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate effect). This change clarifies jurisdiction between licensing agencies handling healthcare practitioner complaints.

Maddy summaryHCR 129 is a ceremonial resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of Austin Oaks Church, founded in 1925 by Swedish immigrants as the Swedish Evangelical Free Church of Austin. It recognizes the church's history, including its relocation to southwest Austin in 2002 and adoption of its current name in 2014, as well as its current ministries and leadership. The resolution formally honors the congregation's century of service and sends an official copy to the church as a symbol of respect from the Texas Legislature. This resolution has no binding policy effect and is purely symbolic.

Maddy summaryHB 3749, known as "Jenifer's Law," establishes new regulations for elective intravenous (IV) therapy in Texas, defined as non-emergency treatments (like hydration or vitamin infusions) sought for temporary wellness or symptom relief, not administered in hospitals, licensed health facilities, or physician offices. The law allows physicians to delegate prescribing and administering such therapy to physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and registered nurses, but only under direct physician supervision. It prohibits these services in specific settings (e.g., hospitals or clinics) and requires prescriptive agreements to count toward existing limits under Texas law. The law took effect September 1, 2025, applying to all elective IV therapy provided after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 47 amends Texas law to strengthen protections for victims of sexual assault and related offenses. It updates the definition of "victim" to explicitly include minors under 17 and cases involving family violence. Key provisions require law enforcement to provide safety protections, mandate judges to consider victim safety when setting bail, and ensure victims receive timely information about court proceedings and forensic exam costs. For sexual assault victims, the bill specifically guarantees notification about payment for forensic medical exams and related medical care within 30 days of the assault. These changes directly affect victims, their families, and the criminal justice system handling such cases.

Maddy summarySB 2431 requires Texas public and private universities offering study abroad programs in non-English-speaking countries to provide students enrolled in those programs the option to earn foreign language credit toward their degree. The law applies to institutions with baccalaureate programs that include such study abroad components, starting with the 2025-2026 academic year. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will establish rules to implement this requirement. This policy directly affects students participating in international study programs at Texas universities and the institutions that operate them. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.