Rep. Hillary Hickland

Maddy summaryHB 1586 creates a standardized affidavit form for parents or guardians seeking immunization exemptions for school enrollment. The form must include a statement explaining the benefits and risks of both immunizations and not being immunized. The health department must provide this form online or by mail without collecting personal information, and can only track how many times the form is accessed (not who uses it). This change applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 261 prohibits the sale and offering for sale of cell-cultured protein (food made by growing animal cells in a lab) for human consumption in Texas. It defines "cell-cultured protein" and adds it to existing prohibitions under the Health and Safety Code, making it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, or sell such products. The bill directly affects food producers, retailers, and restaurants selling cell-cultured meat or dairy alternatives within Texas. Violations carry civil and criminal penalties, though specific penalty amounts are not detailed in the provided text. This is a substantive policy change banning a new food category without exceptions for commercial sale.

Maddy summaryTexas House Bill 706 requires Texas to recognize valid handgun licenses issued by other states, directly affecting out-of-state license holders who travel or reside in Texas. The bill mandates that Texas will recognize such licenses only if the other state either has a mutual agreement with Texas or conducts background checks through the FBI's National Crime Information Center before issuing licenses. Texas must publish and update an annual list of states that recognize Texas-issued licenses. The law took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3441 creates legal liability for vaccine manufacturers who advertise a harmful vaccine within Texas. It defines "advertise" broadly to include paid promotions across media (TV, internet, influencers), but excludes doctor-patient discussions or clinic materials. If a manufacturer's advertised vaccine causes injury, victims can sue within three years for actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The law applies only to cases where harm occurs on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3824 establishes fire safety standards and emergency plans for battery energy storage facilities in Texas, directly affecting companies operating these facilities with a capacity of 1 megawatt-hour or greater that begin operations on or after January 1, 2027. The bill requires the Insurance Commissioner to adopt fire safety rules based on nationally recognized standards like UL 9540A and NFPA 855, with periodic updates to reflect changes in those standards. Facilities must comply with these rules, and the bill includes administrative penalties for non-compliance. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 34 prohibits Texas state investments in countries designated as "countries of concern" (including China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and any country the governor designates) and in private companies operating in those countries that meet specific criteria. It defines "scrutinized companies" as those engaged in certain business activities (like those linked to the Darfur genocide) or meeting other conditions outlined in the bill. The law applies to all state investment entities, requiring them to divest from or avoid purchasing securities in these entities. An exception allows investments in companies excluded by U.S. federal sanctions regimes.

Maddy summaryHB 1106 amends Texas' Family Code definitions of child abuse and neglect. It explicitly states that a parent or guardian's refusal to affirm a child's gender identity (including using preferred names/pronouns) or sexual orientation does not constitute abuse. The bill also clarifies that neglect includes specific failures like withholding medical care or leaving a child in immediate danger, but the key change is excluding these gender/sexual orientation refusals from abuse definitions. This directly affects parents, guardians, and child welfare systems in Texas by altering what legally qualifies as abuse under state law.

Maddy summarySB 17 restricts certain foreign governments and entities from purchasing or acquiring title to specific types of real property in Texas if such ownership poses a risk to public health, safety, or welfare. It prohibits purchases of agricultural land, commercial, industrial, residential property, mines, minerals, or timber by organizations or governments from "designated countries" (identified by U.S. intelligence as national security risks). Exceptions include U.S. citizens/permanent residents, entities owned by them, homestead properties, and leaseholds under 100 years. The law creates a new Property Code Subchapter H (Sections 5.251-5.254) to implement these restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 14 creates the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office within the Governor's office to support the state's nuclear energy industry. The bill defines "advanced nuclear projects" to include facilities using next-generation reactors (like small modular reactors), fuel cycle operations, and associated technologies. The office will provide strategic leadership, develop public outreach programs, and promote job creation in advanced manufacturing while advancing nuclear energy for reliable power generation. This law directly affects Texas nuclear developers, utilities, and communities involved in nuclear facility projects. The office is authorized until September 1, 2040.

Maddy summaryHB 100 prohibits Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools from using state funds to purchase or adopt instructional materials that contain obscene or harmful content or appear on the State Board of Education's rejected materials list. The bill requires the State Board to issue a 45-day notice before adding materials to the rejected list, allowing time for revisions. It also bans the use of any instructional materials - whether traditional or open education resources - listed as rejected, while permitting local funds for non-rejected materials. This law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and became effective immediately after the governor signed it on June 20, 2025.