Rep. Hillary Hickland

Maddy summaryHB 3061 increases penalties for certain criminal offenses committed while wearing masks or disguises specifically to hide the offender's identity. It applies to offenses under Texas law covering assault, robbery, public disorder (Title 5, Chapters 28-30, or Sections 42.01/42.02). If proven, the punishment escalates to the next higher offense category, with a minimum 180-day jail term for Class A misdemeanors. Exceptions allow the penalty increase to be avoided if the disguise was for events like Halloween, proven by a preponderance of evidence.

Maddy summaryHB 3741 requires foreign students and employees at Texas public universities to sign a sworn affidavit stating they are not agents of a "foreign adversary" (defined as a nation hostile to the U.S. or Texas). The affidavit must include the exact statement: "I affirm that I am not an agent of a foreign nation hostile to the United States of America or the State of Texas." This applies to all non-citizen, non-permanent-resident students and employees enrolled or hired at public institutions, regardless of when they were admitted or hired. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may create rules to implement the requirement, but the bill itself mandates the affidavit as a direct condition of enrollment or employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 3605 creates a franchise tax credit for Texas businesses that hire apprentices in broadband utility engineering or construction jobs. To qualify, businesses must employ at least one apprentice for three months in a certified apprenticeship program, provide specific training in skills like pole climbing or fiber splicing, and obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Texas Workforce Commission. The credit directly benefits taxable entities (businesses) in the broadband sector by reducing their franchise tax liability. It applies to apprentices working in roles classified under 2022 NAICS code 237130, requiring programs to meet U.S. Department of Labor standards or be registered under Texas Education Code Chapter 133. The bill is currently pending in committee after being favorably reported with a committee substitute.

Maddy summaryHB 5446 requires that ballot propositions seeking voter approval for tax increases must clearly state the specific tax amount or maximum rate and include the phrase "THIS IS A TAX INCREASE" in capital letters. It also mandates that tax reduction propositions must specify the exact tax rate reduction amount. The bill applies only to propositions submitted for voter approval after its effective date (September 1, 2025) and directly affects voters receiving these ballot measures. The law aims to make tax-related ballot language more transparent and standardized.

Maddy summaryHB 5337 requires Texas voters to submit proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must provide documents like a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or citizenship papers to county registrars. If proof isn't submitted, voters would only qualify for a limited federal ballot under Chapter 115. The bill creates criminal penalties for failing to provide required documentation and amends election code sections to implement these requirements. This directly affects all new voter registrants in Texas seeking full voting rights.

Maddy summarySB 844 establishes new procedures for Texas municipalities making zoning changes that do not qualify as major overhauls (e.g., not city-wide code updates or new zoning maps). It requires written protests signed by owners of at least 20% of the affected land or 60% of adjacent land within 200 feet to trigger stricter approval rules. If protested, such zoning changes must receive approval from at least three-fourths of the city council. This applies only to smaller, targeted adjustments - not comprehensive zoning changes - as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 342 allows Texas counties with populations under 1.2 million (that don't use countywide polling) to combine election precincts under specific conditions. It permits combining precincts with fewer than 500 registered voters to reduce election costs, or for larger counties (250,000+ population) to combine precincts with 500-750 voters. Combined precincts must not exceed 10,000 voters and cannot dilute voting rights for protected groups under federal law. The bill affects county election administrators in smaller Texas counties managing precinct boundaries.

Maddy summaryHB 1980 amends Texas Family Code to establish a presumption that courts should order retroactive child support beginning on the earliest possible date of a child's conception, rather than starting at birth or later. It requires courts to determine this date using medical evidence (per Health and Safety Code) or parental testimony, and mandates that courts include an equitable share of prenatal/postnatal medical expenses for the mother and child in retroactive support orders. The bill applies only to paternity orders or acknowledgments issued on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), not to past cases. This change directly affects parents ordered to pay child support and ensures support covers expenses from conception forward.

Maddy summaryHB 3924 allows uniformed school marshals in Texas public schools, charter schools, private schools, and public junior colleges to openly carry handguns while wearing a uniform identifying them as marshals. It amends Education Code sections to replace previous "concealed handgun" language with three permitted options: carrying concealed, openly carrying while uniformed, or storing the weapon in a locked secure location on school premises. The bill also requires that any handgun carried or stored must use frangible duty ammunition approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. This policy change directly affects school marshals appointed by school boards or governing bodies, subject to their specific written regulations.