Rep. Brad Buckley

Maddy summaryHB 127 creates the Higher Education Research Security Council to protect universities from foreign espionage risks. The council, made up of security officers from university systems and select research institutions, will identify best practices for securing academic research while mitigating threats from foreign adversaries. It directly affects public and private research-focused universities in Texas, particularly those designated as "tier one" institutions. The bill establishes this council as a formal body to coordinate security efforts across higher education, without changing existing trade secret laws. The council’s role is limited to advising institutions on security protocols, not enforcing new penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 75 requires magistrates in Texas to provide written findings within 24 hours when they determine no probable cause exists for a criminal arrest. This applies specifically to cases involving offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. The law aims to create a clear, documented record of the magistrate's decision in these initial proceedings. It directly affects magistrates handling pretrial detention hearings for criminal defendants.

Maddy summarySB 204 requires school board trustees in Texas to complete mandatory training on parental rights in education by April 2026. It also mandates the Texas Education Agency to create and maintain a publicly accessible, plain-language handbook explaining all parental rights regarding their child’s education, including rights parents can enforce for their children. The handbook must be updated annually and available online. This bill directly affects school board members (who must complete the training) and parents (who gain a clear reference for their educational rights). The requirements take effect September 1, 2025, with the handbook and training materials due by January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2516, the Chris Larkin ALS Act, requires Texas insurers to offer Medicare supplement plans (Medigap) to people under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability, end-stage renal disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It mandates that these individuals receive the same coverage and premium rates as those 65 and older for standard plans (A, B, D), with non-standard plans capped at 200% of the 65+ rate. The bill creates a six-month enrollment window starting when a qualifying individual first enrolls in Medicare Part B, during which insurers cannot deny coverage, charge more for health conditions, or impose waiting periods. This law directly affects Texans under 65 with qualifying medical conditions who rely on Medicare, ensuring equitable access to supplemental insurance without medical underwriting. The bill became effective immediately on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4623 creates new liability standards for Texas public schools and their employees regarding student sexual misconduct. It holds schools financially responsible if they act with gross negligence or intentional misconduct in hiring or supervising employees who commit sexual misconduct against students or fail to report suspected abuse. The law caps damages at $500,000 per victim in successful claims and requires the employee who committed the act to be named as a defendant. This directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and all professional school employees covered by the definition, including teachers, administrators, and even student interns. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1481 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt written policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day on school property or at school events. Exceptions allow device use for students with documented medical needs, individualized education plans (IEPs), or health/safety protocols. Schools may implement either a full device ban or a secure storage system for devices during school hours, and must return confiscated devices or dispose of them after providing parents 90 days' written notice. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates limited liability protection for businesses operating off-road vehicle areas (such as rental facilities or event organizers) for injuries sustained by participants during recreational activities, provided they display required safety warnings. Businesses are protected from lawsuits for participant injuries if the warnings specified in the law are properly posted. The protection does not apply if injuries result from the business's own negligence, and the law specifically covers activities on unpaved surfaces. The bill became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2854 requires parole officers to approve non-medical hospital visits for certain parolees convicted of specific offenses (listed in Texas law). Releasees must submit advance requests specifying visit details, and parole officers must notify hospitals of approved visits. The bill shields hospitals from liability for damages related to these visits, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. It applies only to parolees released on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect those released earlier.

Maddy summaryHB 45 requires law enforcement agencies to submit human trafficking reports to both local prosecutors and the Texas Attorney General simultaneously. If a local prosecutor fails to take action within six months, the Attorney General gains automatic jurisdiction to prosecute the case. This law directly affects law enforcement agencies (which must share reports), local prosecutors (who must act within six months or lose jurisdiction), and the Attorney General’s office (which gains authority to handle unprosecuted cases). The bill amends the Government Code and Penal Code to establish these procedures, applying only to human trafficking offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2598 amends Texas Education Code to clarify who qualifies as a "mental health professional" for school services. It explicitly includes school psychologists (as defined in the Occupations Code) alongside other licensed providers like clinical social workers and licensed counselors. The bill also creates a task force to advise on school mental health services, requiring specific representation from parents, school administrators, and mental health professionals. This directly affects school psychologists, mental health service providers, and school districts implementing these services. The changes took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.