Rep. Caroline Harris Davila

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryHB 1618 modifies Texas Water Code to allow specific aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects in Williamson County east of Interstate 35 that transect the Edwards Aquifer. It permits these projects - where water is injected into underlying geologic formations - as an exception to the general ban on injection wells in the aquifer. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality must adopt implementing rules by March 1, 2026. The bill affects water project developers and regulators in the specified Williamson County area, with implementation dependent on legislative approval for immediate effect or set to take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4103 establishes a management framework for the Eyes of Father Margil State Historic Site and Trail in Nacogdoches, Texas. It allows the Texas Historical Commission to contract with the owning municipality to operate and administer the site, including provisions for expansion, preservation, visitor centers, and hiring staff. The bill creates a dedicated "Eyes of Father Margil Fund" funded by site admissions, gift shop sales, and donations, which can be used without legislative appropriation for site maintenance, repairs, or improvements. This bill directly affects the management and funding of this specific historic site and trail.

Maddy summaryHB 5218 establishes designated routes for permits allowing larger cargo vehicles to move through specific areas near deepwater seaports on the U.S.-Mexico border. It directly affects commercial trucking companies transporting goods to and from these border ports by requiring permits for oversized or overweight vehicles traveling along these pre-approved routes. The bill's key provision is creating a formal system for route designation, streamlining permit issuance for vehicles serving border seaports while ensuring designated paths are used. This focuses on logistical efficiency for freight movement without altering vehicle size limits or creating new taxes. The bill is currently pending in the Transportation committee after a public hearing.

Maddy summaryHB 54, titled "Relating to the display of and allowance for non-human behaviors in Texas schools," is a procedural bill that amends school discipline requirements. It mandates that Texas public school districts include specific factors in their student conduct codes, such as self-defense, intent, disability considerations, and homelessness status, when making disciplinary decisions like suspensions or expulsions. The bill requires schools to post these codes prominently and consider these factors in all disciplinary actions. It does not ban specific activities but standardizes how schools evaluate student behavior. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1705 limits Texas public colleges and universities from requiring students to complete more credit hours than their accredited program’s minimum, unless the institution provides a compelling academic justification. It updates the definition of "recognized accrediting agency" to include any body designated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, not just the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The bill also ensures transfer students receive full credit for completed courses in similar programs across public institutions, allowing them to finish degrees with fewer additional credits. These changes directly affect students and public higher education institutions in Texas by standardizing credit requirements and transfer policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2076 requires health insurance plans that cover prescription contraceptive devices (like IUDs or implants) to also cover evidence-based anxiety and pain management specifically for the insertion or removal of these devices. This applies to all health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The law mandates coverage for proven methods to address discomfort during these medical procedures, not general anxiety or pain treatment. It directly affects insurance providers and plan members seeking contraceptive care. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, with the coverage requirement applying to future plans starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 408 prohibits the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) from favoring construction bids based on environmental, social, or governance criteria (such as carbon emissions) when selecting materials for road projects, if those materials are less cost-effective or durable than alternatives. The bill directly affects TxDOT and contractors bidding on road construction projects by requiring that bid comparisons prioritize cost and durability over ESG factors. It amends the Transportation Code to explicitly ban such preferences in material selection for projects covered under the law. The rule takes effect September 1, 2025, ensuring TxDOT must base contract awards solely on cost and material performance.

Maddy summaryHB 125 creates the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine as a new academic unit within Tarleton State University. The bill establishes that the college will operate under the oversight of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, offer osteopathic medicine degrees under Tarleton's authority, and partner with public or private teaching hospitals. This legislation directly affects Tarleton State University students seeking osteopathic medicine degrees and expands Texas' network of medical education institutions. The bill amends Texas Education Code to formally include the new college in the state's list of authorized medical and dental programs.

Maddy summaryHB 4312 prohibits non-U.S. citizens from knowingly making campaign contributions to Texas political candidates or committees. The bill adds Section 253.008 to the Election Code, directly affecting non-citizens who attempt to contribute to campaigns. It applies only to contributions made on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), with prior contributions governed by existing law. The law does not restrict contributions from U.S. citizens, political committees, or other entities.