Rep. Pat Curry

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas' Department of State Health Services to conduct a study on establishing scientific standards for measuring THC intoxication. The study will evaluate current and emerging testing methods, assess whether to create a THC threshold comparable to blood alcohol content limits for legal cases (including criminal charges under Chapter 49 of the Penal Code and workplace safety rules), and develop legislative recommendations. The department must submit a final report with findings by October 1, 2026, and the study requirement expires December 1, 2026. The bill does not create new standards but sets a process for evaluating them.

Maddy summaryHB 226 requires youth camp operators in Texas to provide each camper with an active radio frequency identification (RFID) tag capable of tracking location if a camper goes missing or during severe weather/disasters. The bill directly affects youth camp operators and requires them to obtain written consent from a camper’s parent or legal guardian before issuing a tag. Key provisions include mandating the tags for emergency location tracking, prohibiting their use without parental consent, and directing the health commissioner to adopt implementing rules. The bill does not require ongoing tracking but only activates the tag during specific emergency scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 64 creates a rule that Texas state senators and representatives lose their seats if absent from all legislative proceedings without approved leave for seven consecutive days when their house is in session. This provision directly affects legislators who miss sessions without permission, triggering an immediate vacancy. The bill specifies that the absence must occur during days the house is meeting, not just calendar days. It would take effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, otherwise 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryHB 236 creates an affirmative defense for individuals prosecuted under certain laws if they were victims of human trafficking or compelled prostitution. It applies when a person engaged in criminal conduct (like prostitution or other offenses) directly because they were subjected to force, fraud, or coercion by traffickers, and would not have committed the act otherwise. The defense requires showing the conduct was compelled by such means, that a reasonable person in similar circumstances would have been compelled, and that the person wasn’t merely offered an opportunity without coercion. This applies to prosecutions for offenses under Sections 20A.02 (human trafficking) or 43.05 (prostitution) but excludes specific offenses listed in state law. The bill affects individuals prosecuted for crimes committed while trafficked, shifting legal focus to their victim status during prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 228 prohibits state-funded entities from using public money for lobbying activities. It directly affects local governments and private organizations that receive state funds, banning them from paying for: (1) their own lobbying expenses, (2) registered lobbyists, (3) related entities of registered lobbyists, or (4) firms hired to influence legislation or policy. The bill amends Texas Government Code Section 556.0055 to enforce these restrictions, applying to expenditures made on or after its effective date. This policy change clarifies that state funds cannot support efforts to sway government decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 214, the Texas Women's Privacy Act, requires certain facilities like restrooms, locker rooms, and shelters to be designated for use based on biological sex (male or female). It directly affects correctional facilities, family violence shelters, institutions of higher education, and political subdivisions (e.g., cities, school districts). The bill prohibits the use of multiple-occupancy private spaces (like shared restrooms) by individuals whose biological sex differs from the space’s designated sex, while allowing single-occupancy spaces for individual use. Violations may result in civil penalties or private lawsuits for affected individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 186 restricts how local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) can use public funds for lobbying. It prohibits spending public money to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofit groups that represent local governments and employ lobbyists. Exceptions include activities by elected officials, employees providing information to legislators, travel expenses for such activities, and services by associations representing sheriffs or law enforcement. The bill allows taxpayers to sue to stop prohibited spending and recover legal fees if they win. This directly affects local government budget decisions regarding legislative advocacy.

Maddy summaryBased on the available information, HB 252 establishes an affirmative defense for individuals who are victims of human trafficking or compelling prostitution when prosecuted for offenses directly related to their victimization. The bill would allow these individuals to assert this defense in court, potentially avoiding criminal charges for acts committed under coercion. However, the specific legal mechanisms, eligibility criteria, and affected parties are not detailed in the provided context. The bill text is currently unavailable (noted as "coming soon"), so a full summary of provisions cannot be generated. For accurate details, the official bill text or PDF should be consulted once available.

Maddy summaryHB 196 creates new rules for evidence in civil negligence cases where employers are sued over employee THC use. It prohibits courts from admitting evidence of an employee's *medical use of low-THC cannabis* (per Texas law) unless the employer knew about the use, was aware the employee was intoxicated, and failed to act. It also blocks using a positive THC test alone as evidence; additional proof of intoxication at the time of injury is required. This directly affects employers facing lawsuits alleging negligence related to employee THC use. The law applies only to cases filed after its effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 198 requires Texas independent school districts to hold trustee elections on the same date as statewide and county elections (instead of separate dates), mandating districts change their election schedules by December 31, 2026. This affects all independent school districts currently holding separate trustee elections, with the requirement expiring January 1, 2029. The bill also adjusts trustee term lengths from three to four years for some districts and removes outdated election scheduling rules. These changes aim to streamline election administration by aligning school board elections with existing state and county election cycles.