Rep. Donna Howard

Maddy summaryHB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia and related disorders. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and other eligible organizations for research into dementia causes, prevention strategies, treatments, and symptom mitigation. It establishes oversight committees to manage grants, ensure compliance, and requires annual public reports detailing funded projects and recipients. The institute is set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless extended under Texas Sunset Act procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 1219 requires healthcare providers in Texas to prioritize a pregnant individual's health over the fetus's health when recommending medical treatments. It ensures patients retain the right to accept or refuse any treatment after giving informed consent, regardless of the provider's recommendation. Healthcare providers who violate this requirement may face administrative penalties similar to those for other licensing violations. The bill directly affects physicians and healthcare practitioners by establishing clear guidelines for medical decision-making during pregnancy.

Maddy summaryHB 1220 adds exceptions to Texas' abortion prohibitions for specific cases. It allows physicians to perform abortions during the third trimester if the pregnant person is 35 years or older, has a high-risk medical condition (as determined by a physician), or the pregnancy resulted from in vitro fertilization. These exceptions apply across multiple sections of the Health and Safety Code, including prohibitions on abortions for viable fetuses (Section 170.002), partial-birth abortions (Section 171.102), and restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs (Section 171.063). The bill directly affects medical providers and clinics by modifying when they may legally perform abortions under existing state law.

Maddy summaryHJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. The bill would transfer $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026, for research, prevention, and treatment of dementia and related disorders. The institute would award grants to Texas research institutions, medical facilities, and collaboratives to develop treatments, prevention programs, and address access to care. This initiative directly affects Texans living with dementia and their families, as well as researchers and healthcare providers in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1047 expands the list of optional holidays for Texas state employees to include specific religious observances. The bill adds Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Good Friday, All Saints' Day, Lunar New Year, Dashera, Vaisakhi, Vesak, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and allows one day each for Diwali and Passover. State employees observing these holidays can take them as paid optional days off. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects state employees who observe these religious holidays.

Maddy summaryHR 310 is a commemorative resolution honoring former Texas State Representative James Parker McCollough of Austin, who died on October 31, 2024. The resolution recognizes his service in the Texas House from 1988-1992, his roles as chair of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, and his community work as a public defender, judge, and volunteer. It extends sympathy to his family - including his wife, children, grandchildren, and sisters - and commemorates his commitment to sobriety, family, and public service. As a procedural memorial resolution (not a policy bill), it has no legislative effect beyond paying tribute.

Maddy summaryHB 887 requires Texas public school districts to provide age-appropriate education and informational materials about endometriosis and menstrual disorders to students. The State Board of Education must create a list of approved materials covering symptoms, health impacts, statistics, health advocacy practices, and treatment options. School districts may implement this education at grade levels and in courses they determine appropriate, with materials available for request. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 861 requires healthcare licensing agencies to forward complaints about practitioners licensed by a different agency to that agency. It prohibits an agency from taking disciplinary action on such complaints unless the receiving agency refers the case back for investigation. The bill applies only to complaints filed on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote). This changes how complaints are handled between different healthcare licensing bodies, ensuring the correct agency investigates each case.

Maddy summaryHB 820 would expand SNAP (food assistance) eligibility for certain Texas students at colleges and career schools by exempting them from standard work requirements. To qualify, students must be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible institution (including colleges and career schools) and either participate in a work-study program or have a $0 expected family contribution (as determined by federal student aid rules). The state must create rules to maintain eligibility during academic breaks, and these changes apply only to new SNAP applications or renewals starting September 1, 2025. This policy directly affects low-income students pursuing postsecondary education who meet the specified financial or work-study criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 737 requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to work with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to use existing highway dynamic message signs for the "Keep 'Em Safe Texas Gun Storage Campaign," providing public information about safe firearm storage. The bill mandates TxDOT to implement this using current signage systems across the state, unless federal transportation authorities threaten loss of funding or penalties for noncompliance. It does not create new requirements but directs existing resources toward promoting safe gun storage practices. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.