Rep. Cole Hefner

Maddy summarySB 2514 establishes a "hostile foreign organizations unit" within the Texas Department of Public Safety to identify, investigate, and track foreign influence operations conducted by foreign governments through covert means. It requires all state employees to complete annual training on recognizing and reporting such operations - including those linked to foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Work Department - and mandates new reporting requirements for suspected activities. The bill also creates a criminal offense for violations of its prohibitions and requires the unit to develop a strategy for combating foreign influence in collaboration with federal and local agencies. This affects all state employees through training obligations and the new DPS unit’s operations.

Maddy summarySB 36 establishes a Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety to coordinate statewide homeland security efforts. The division, led by a chief appointed by the department director, directly affects state agencies, local governments, and private organizations involved in border security operations. Key provisions require the division to develop strategic plans, coordinate border security operations with federal and local entities, manage intelligence collection and analysis, and oversee programs like Operation Drawbridge (border surveillance cameras). The bill mandates regular risk assessments, homeland security exercises, and alignment of state and local preparedness efforts under the division’s leadership.

Maddy summaryHB 119 requires lobbyists who communicate directly with Texas lawmakers to influence legislation on behalf of a "foreign adversary" (as defined by state law) to register with the state. It specifically prohibits receiving compensation for such lobbying activities from foreign adversaries or their designated representatives. The bill establishes civil penalties for violations, including fines for unauthorized lobbying or compensation. This law directly affects lobbyists working for foreign governments or entities designated as national security threats by U.S. authorities.

Maddy summaryHB 4076 prohibits health care providers from denying organ transplants or related services (like evaluations, surgery, or waiting list placement) solely based on a patient's vaccination status. It allows providers to consider vaccination status only if medically significant to the transplant, following individualized assessment - such as if unvaccinated patients face higher infection risks. The law covers all transplant stages and protects providers who comply with it from penalties, while permitting alternatives like antibody testing instead of vaccination requirements. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all organ transplant candidates in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 4804 automatically revokes a person's driver's license or personal identification certificate if they are subject to sex offender or terrorist registration under Texas law (Chapters 62/65 of the Criminal Procedure Code) and fail to apply for renewal as required. The bill affects individuals under these registration requirements who do not complete the renewal process. Key provisions include amending Transportation Code sections to mandate this automatic revocation and repealing two existing sections (521.297(b) and 522.087(b)). The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 24 requires Texas public schools to include specific instruction about communist regimes and ideologies in social studies curricula for students in grades 4 through 12. The bill mandates age-appropriate lessons covering historical events like the Holodomor, Cultural Revolution, and Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge, as well as comparative analysis of communist ideologies versus U.S. democratic principles. It also requires teaching modern threats from communist regimes and methods used to spread such ideologies, including propaganda and censorship. This policy directly affects all public school students in the specified grades across Texas. The law became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 10 requires all Texas public elementary and secondary schools to display a specific, standardized version of the Ten Commandments in every classroom starting September 1, 2025. The law mandates a durable poster or framed copy meeting strict size (at least 16x20 inches) and content requirements, including only the exact text listed in the bill. Schools must display this unless they accept a privately donated version meeting the same specifications, and may optionally use district funds to purchase compliant displays. This directly affects every public school classroom in Texas, requiring a physical display of the specified religious text.

Maddy summarySB 1637 modifies Texas law regarding the prosecution of "deadly conduct" involving firearms. It creates a legal presumption that a person acted recklessly and dangerously if they knowingly pointed a firearm at or toward another person, regardless of whether the firearm was loaded. This presumption does not apply to peace officers while performing their official duties. The law specifically exempts officers on duty from the standard that would otherwise apply to others who point firearms. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 2306 changes parole eligibility for inmates convicted of specific trafficking offenses involving vulnerable victims. It prohibits parole for individuals serving sentences under Texas Penal Code Sections 20A.02 (regarding child victims), 20A.03, 21.02, 22.021(f), 51.03, or 51.04. The bill amends parole rules to explicitly exclude these trafficking offenses from eligibility, repealing prior provisions that may have allowed parole for such cases. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 379 prohibits SNAP (food stamp) benefits in Texas from being used to purchase energy drinks, sweetened beverages (like soda), carbonated drinks, candy, potato/corn chips, and pre-packaged cookies. It directly affects SNAP recipients who previously could buy these items with their benefits. The law includes exceptions for milk products, milk substitutes (like almond milk), unsweetened beverages, infant formula, weight-loss drinks, and health-recommended products. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.