Rep. Cole Hefner

Maddy summaryHB 4375 allows local broadcasters (like school-affiliated radio or TV stations) to cover school sports postseason events, provided they already broadcast most regular-season games for that school. It directly affects local broadcasters, University Interscholastic League (UIL) member schools, and the UIL itself. The bill requires local broadcasters to meet two conditions: (1) cover a majority of the school's regular-season games under a valid agreement, and (2) follow specific terms set by the UIL in a new agreement. These terms include paying reasonable compensation, getting site approval for coverage, limiting sponsor types, and using qualified announcers. The law applies only to new agreements entered after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4381 requires the Texas Education Agency to create a plain-language document in English and Spanish explaining parents' rights regarding their child's health information and decisions in public schools. The document must cover specific rights, including accessing health records (like counseling or immunization data), withholding consent for health activities, removing children from classes conflicting with religious beliefs, and opting out of certain screenings or vaccinations. School districts must post the document online and email it to all parents before the first day of each school year. The bill also authorizes administrative penalties for schools that fail to comply with these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4100 protects healthcare providers from retaliation when reporting certain issues related to patient care. It prohibits health care facilities, government entities, or others from taking adverse actions (like termination or demotion) against physicians or providers who report violations such as unsafe treatment practices, public health risks, mismanagement of funds, or abuse of authority. The bill creates a civil remedy, allowing affected providers to sue for damages if retaliation occurs. It applies broadly to all healthcare workers covered under the definition, including nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and medical students. The law aims to encourage reporting of serious concerns without fear of professional consequences.

Maddy summaryHR 485 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing March 26, 2025, as "Texas Pharmacy Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It directly honors pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy students who will gather for the event. The resolution formally designates this date for celebration without creating new laws, funding, or regulatory changes. It acknowledges pharmacists' historical role in Texas healthcare and their contributions during the pandemic. This is a non-binding recognition with no policy impact beyond the ceremonial event.

Maddy summaryHB 3327 repeals a legal defense that previously allowed individuals to avoid criminal prosecution for selling, distributing, or displaying harmful material to minors if they claimed they didn’t know the material was harmful. This change directly affects anyone accused of such offenses in Texas, removing their ability to argue ignorance about the material’s harmful nature. The bill eliminates Section 43.24(c) of the Texas Penal Code, making it easier for prosecutors to secure convictions without proving the defendant knew the material was inappropriate for minors. The repeal applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior offenses governed by existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 3404 requires certain large Texas cities (population over 60,000 in counties with over 420,000 residents) and counties (population over 420,000) to allow mixed-use residential and multifamily residential development in zoning areas already permitting commercial uses. It prohibits local governments from demanding zoning changes, variances, or special approvals before permitting such projects, which include conversions of commercial buildings to housing. The bill defines "mixed-use residential" as developments where residential space makes up at least 65% of total square footage and "multifamily residential" as projects with three or more dwelling units (including condos). This law aims to reduce regulatory barriers for housing development in designated high-population areas.

Maddy summaryHB 3274 amends Texas Penal Code Section 28.03 to establish new criminal penalties for unauthorized entry, occupancy, or sale/rental of real property, including removal of occupants from dwellings. It creates tiered offenses based on financial loss: Class C misdemeanors for under $100, Class A misdemeanors for $750-$2,500, and state jail felonies for losses of $2,500-$30,000, with harsher penalties for specific impacts like disrupting water supplies, damaging livestock fences, or tampering with catalytic converters. The bill directly affects property owners, tenants, and individuals occupying dwellings without permission by criminalizing unauthorized activities with escalating penalties. It does not create new civil remedies but increases criminal consequences for property-related offenses. The bill remains in committee referral stage (Trade, Workforce & Economic Development) as of March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3291 exempts certain projects owned by Type A economic development corporations from property taxes when held for a public purpose on behalf of the authorizing municipality. The bill amends Texas law to clarify that these projects - authorized under Chapter 501 of the Local Government Code - are not subject to ad valorem taxation during the period the corporation owns them, removing application of existing tax provisions. This directly affects Type A economic development corporations and the municipalities that created them, as it eliminates property tax liability for qualifying projects. The exemption applies only to tax years beginning on or after September 1, 2025, and does not alter other tax obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 2816 protects healthcare providers and facilities from being required to participate in or provide certain health care services that conflict with their sincerely held religious or philosophical beliefs. It defines key terms like "conscience," "health care provider" (including students and non-licensed staff), and "health care service" (covering family planning, abortion-related counseling, and treatment). The bill creates a civil remedy for violations and authorizes disciplinary action against entities that force non-participation in services due to conscience objections. It directly affects hospitals, clinics, pharmacists, and all healthcare workers who may decline services like abortion care or contraception-related counseling. The law aims to prevent adverse actions against providers who refuse such services based on personal beliefs.

Maddy summaryHB 76 prohibits local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to pay nonprofit organizations that accept public donations to post bail bonds for defendants. It directly affects political subdivisions that might fund such bail programs through public money. The bill bans this spending and allows taxpayers or residents to sue to stop it, with successful plaintiffs able to recover legal fees. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, if passed.