Rep. Richard Hayes

Maddy summaryHB 2159 allows certain minors to consent to specific healthcare treatments without parental involvement. It directly affects two groups: (1) minors aged 16 or older who live independently, manage their own finances, and meet other criteria; and (2) unmarried minor parents with actual custody of their child. Key provisions let these minors consent to treatment for themselves (including pregnancy care, infectious disease treatment, or addiction services) or for their own child, provided they meet the outlined conditions. The bill amends Texas Family Code Chapter 32 to clarify these consent rules, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2803 requires election judges in Texas to provide a signed written statement explaining the reason when removing an election watcher from a polling place after the watcher has been officially accepted. The bill directly affects election judges, who must issue this statement, and election watchers, who receive the written justification for their removal. Key provisions mandate that the statement be provided at the time of removal, ensuring transparency in the process. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, and applies to all polling places statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 113 modifies Texas law on how courts interpret statutes. It restricts courts from considering legislative intent (like statements from lawmakers or committee reports) when reading laws, requiring them to focus only on the plain text of the statute. The bill also prohibits courts from automatically deferring to state agencies' interpretations of laws, though reasonable agency views that match the statute's wording may still be considered. This directly affects courts, state agencies, and anyone involved in legal cases interpreting Texas laws. The changes aim to limit judicial interpretation methods and emphasize the written text of statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 2879 protects condo owners, tenants, and their guests from penalties like fines or eviction for using justified force (including deadly force) on residential property, as defined under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9. The bill creates an "irrebuttable presumption" that force was justified if the person was acquitted, a grand jury declined to indict, or prosecutors declined to file charges for the same incident. It applies to condominiums (via Property Code Section 82.122) and leased residential properties (via Sections 92.027 and 94.258), preventing associations or landlords from taking adverse action based on legally justified force. The law overrides any conflicting terms in property declarations or leases, regardless of when they were adopted.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summarySJR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to explicitly state that non-U.S. citizens cannot vote in Texas. It amends Article VI, Section 1(a) of the Texas Constitution by adding "persons who are not citizens of the United States" as a prohibited voting class. This would clarify existing voting eligibility rules by making citizenship a constitutional requirement, directly affecting non-citizen residents. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in the November 4, 2025, election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2028 requires certain Texas governmental entities - including municipalities, counties, school districts, junior college districts, development corporations, regional mobility authorities, and specific district authorities - to post meeting notices and agendas on their website home pages in addition to existing posting requirements. This applies only to entities that maintain a website, effective September 1, 2025. The bill ensures public access to meeting information through a centralized online location while allowing for technical issues beyond the entity’s control to not invalidate compliance. It does not apply to all governmental bodies or entities without websites.

Maddy summaryHB 3154 creates the Wise Regional Water District to provide water and wastewater services in Wise County, Texas. It grants the district limited power to acquire private land for infrastructure (eminent domain), authority to issue bonds for funding, and the ability to charge fees to users. The bill directly affects participating governments (like cities and counties) that provide utility services within the district's boundaries, requiring them to contract with the district for infrastructure projects. The district must serve public water and wastewater needs across its defined service area, with specific rules for cost-sharing among participating entities.

Maddy summaryHB 370 amends Texas law to restrict eligibility for funding from the Events Trust Fund. It prohibits funding for events that allow biological males to compete in sports designated for female athletes. The bill defines "biological male" using official birth certificates or government records stating biological sex, requiring statements entered near birth or corrected for clerical errors. This applies only to events seeking trust fund support and does not affect biological males serving as coaches or support staff. The policy change directly affects sports events applying for state funding under the Events Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 4737 sets a 100-day deadline for Texas' Board of Law Examiners to process applications for attorneys licensed in other U.S. states to practice law in Texas without taking an exam. It directly affects out-of-state attorneys seeking to practice in Texas through the "without examination" pathway. The bill requires the board to complete processing within 100 days of receiving the application, applying only to filings on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025). Applications filed before this date remain governed by prior law.