Rep. Caroline Harris Davila

Maddy summaryHB 102 requires Texas public universities to offer early registration for courses and programs to students in military-related programs who are in good standing. Specifically, it mandates this for students enrolled in ROTC programs, cadet corps (including at senior military colleges), or maritime academies. The law, effective for the 2026 spring semester, obligates institutions to provide this early registration opportunity on the same basis as other designated student groups. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will develop rules to implement this requirement.

Maddy summarySB 33 prohibits Texas governmental entities from using taxpayer funds to pay for or facilitate abortion-related services. It bans transactions with "abortion assistance entities" (organizations providing financial help, travel, childcare, or abortion drugs) or abortion providers for abortion procurement. The law specifically prevents government spending on logistical support like travel, lodging, childcare, or food to help individuals access abortion services. This applies to all state and local government entities and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 33, titled the "Uvalde Strong Act," requires Texas public and charter schools to comply with additional safety and operational requirements related to active shooter incidents and emergencies. It amends the Education Code to mandate adherence to existing rules covering student data systems, criminal background checks, discipline practices, health/safety protocols, bullying prevention, and staff reporting obligations. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools by expanding their compliance obligations under current safety frameworks. It does not create new rules but requires schools to follow more existing provisions related to emergency preparedness and student safety. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

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 103 requires Texas comptroller to create and maintain a public database containing detailed information about bonds, taxes, and related projects for all taxing units (like cities, counties, and school districts) in Texas. The database must include bond ballot language, projected tax rates, election results, project uses of funds, and comparisons between adopted and voter-approved tax rates. It also mandates specific data for school district maintenance taxes. The bill includes civil penalties for noncompliance, aiming to increase transparency around local government financial decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 654, known as the Asp-Morgan Act, allows courts to dismiss criminal charges for minor deer hunting violations where antler spread measurements differ by one inch or less from legal limits. It applies to hunters who report the violation to a game warden before leaving the site, avoid keeping the deer carcass, have no prior similar violations, plead guilty, and complete a hunter education course. If they finish the course and avoid further violations during an 180-day deferral period, the charge is dismissed without creating a conviction record. This policy directly affects hunters who make minor measurement errors in deer hunting, offering an alternative to conviction through education rather than punishment.

Maddy summarySB 565 establishes a process allowing Texas regulatory commissions to temporarily suspend enforcement actions against regional water, sewer, wastewater, or solid waste services during integration with another provider. It directly affects municipalities, counties, regional service areas, and utilities that are merging or integrating their service operations. The key provision requires compliance agreements to include specific steps for bringing the integrated service into regulatory compliance while suspending enforcement for violations arising from the transition. This policy change modifies the Water Code to facilitate smoother service transitions without immediate penalties for integration-related issues. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 11 would allow Texas public school districts or charter schools (not affiliated with religious organizations) to adopt a policy requiring daily voluntary prayer and Bible/religious text reading periods on school campuses. To participate, students or employees must provide written consent from a parent/guardian or the employee themselves, acknowledging the choice to participate and waiving legal claims related to the policy. The bill prohibits mandatory participation, using public address systems for these activities, or substituting this time for instruction, and requires physical separation for those who opt out. School districts must also follow specific guidelines to accommodate non-participants, and the Texas Attorney General would provide legal guidance and defend districts in related lawsuits.

Maddy summaryHB 4848 requires Texas public university systems to offer competency-based bachelor's degree programs in high-demand fields at one or more campuses within each system. It caps program costs at no more than half the average tuition for students, with annual inflation adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board determines which fields are "high demand" and sets cost rules. This directly affects public universities and students seeking affordable, skill-focused degrees in priority areas starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Maddy summarySB 528 establishes new requirements for facilities providing inpatient competency restoration services in Texas. It mandates that these facilities enter into memorandums of understanding with local counties, municipalities, and mental health authorities (Sec. 580.003). The bill also requires facilities to submit annual reports to the Health and Human Services Commission detailing specific metrics, including the number of individuals restored to competency, average treatment duration, and transfer rates after 60 days (Sec. 580.004). These reports must include demographic breakdowns by offense type (misdemeanor/felony) and other relevant factors. The law applies exclusively to facilities contracted with the Commission to restore competency for individuals awaiting trial under criminal procedure law.