Rep. Richard Hayes

Maddy summaryHB 1130 creates limited liability for commercial cavern tour operators (cavern entities) in Texas for injuries sustained by participants during recreational or educational cavern activities. It requires cavern entities to post a specific warning sign at all entrances stating Texas law limits their liability for such injuries, unless the injury resulted from the entity's negligence, known dangerous conditions, or intentional harm. The law applies to injuries occurring after its effective date (May 29, 2025) and exempts cases involving the cavern entity's failure to address safety hazards or properly train staff. This directly affects cavern tour businesses and their participants by shifting legal responsibility unless the required warning is displayed.

Maddy summaryHB 198, known as the Wade Cannon Act, requires Texas cities and counties that employ firefighters to provide free occupational cancer screenings starting in a firefighter's fifth year of service, with annual screenings thereafter. The screenings must include specific tests: urine, pulmonary function, electrocardiogram, infectious disease screening, breast cancer screening, blood tests, and chest x-rays (limited to once every five years). Political subdivisions may exempt themselves if they already offer annual occupational medical exams meeting standards set by the National Fire Protection Association and approved by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. The law takes effect June 1, 2026, directly affecting all Texas firefighters employed by local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds invasive visual recording (Section 21.15 of the Texas Penal Code) to the list of offenses requiring mandatory sex offender registration. It directly affects individuals convicted of recording someone without consent in private areas, such as bathrooms or changing rooms. The law expands existing registration requirements by including this specific crime under the definition of "reportable conviction" in the Code of Criminal Procedure. The bill was signed into law on May 29, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4 restricts Texas public school districts and campuses from obtaining exemptions or waivers for specific requirements, including graduation standards, school accountability measures under Chapters 39 and 39A, health and safety rules, and programs for special education and bilingual students. The bill explicitly prohibits waivers for federal mandates, essential knowledge/skills, class size limits (except as allowed by law), extracurricular activities, and other key areas listed in the legislation. It also changes the appeal process for challenges to the commissioner's decisions, requiring appeals to be filed in Travis County district court with specific procedural steps. This bill directly affects school districts, the Texas Education Agency, and individuals seeking to challenge educational decisions.

Maddy summarySB 618 prohibits public and election officials from altering election procedures without legal authorization. If officials fail to comply after being notified by the Secretary of State, they face escalating daily fines: $1,000 per day for days 3-7 and $5,000 per day after day 7. The bill requires officials to immediately cease non-compliant actions and provides a process for the Secretary of State to investigate violations and refer cases to the Attorney General. These fines, collected into the general revenue fund, directly affect election officials who change procedures without proper legal approval.

Maddy summaryHCR 59 is a ceremonial resolution designating April as "Promise Month" in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it is solely a symbolic recognition intended to honor religious and historical perspectives on promises. The resolution references biblical principles and the founding of the U.S. on "Biblical principles," but the designation itself has no legal or policy impact on residents or state operations. This is a procedural, commemorative resolution with no concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution designates Denton as Texas' official Halloween Capital for a 10-year period ending in 2035, replacing its previous "Redbud Capital" designation. The resolution recognizes Denton's annual "31 Days of Denton Halloween" event, which features month-long festivities including themed activities, pumpkin carving, and downtown celebrations that attracted over 660,000 attendees in 2024. The designation is purely symbolic and does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 37 requires hospitals with maternal care designations to provide bereavement counseling options and perinatal bereavement devices (which delay tissue deterioration for up to 72 hours after pregnancy loss or infant death) to families following intrauterine fetal demise, neonatal death, or stillbirth. The Texas Department of State Health Services must establish a perinatal bereavement care initiative offering hospitals training for staff on compassionate communication and resources like devices with maintenance support. This law directly affects designated hospitals and families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss in Texas. The initiative aims to improve access to supportive care during this difficult time, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5689 amends Texas law to adjust bond limits for the Cole Ranch Improvement District No. 1 in Denton County, directly affecting this local special district. It sets a 10% cap on bonds secured by property taxes and a separate 10% cap on bonds backed by contract payments across all districts making payments under such agreements. The bill also validates all prior actions taken by the district before its effective date, confirming their legal standing. This is a procedural adjustment to district finances and governance, not a new policy initiative.

Maddy summaryHB 5690 amends Texas law to clarify bond issuance limits for the Hunter Ranch Improvement District No. 1 in Denton County. It sets a 10% cap on both ad valorem tax bonds and contract payment bonds issued by the district, relative to the assessed value of district property. The bill also validates all prior actions and proceedings of the district taken before its effective date, resolving potential legal uncertainties. This affects only the Hunter Ranch Improvement District, confirming its authority to operate under existing rules without retroactive challenges.