Rep. Andy Hopper

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 4784 is not available in the provided context. The title indicates it relates to prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives by state agencies, but no specific provisions, affected entities, or mechanisms are described in the accessible information. The bill was filed on March 13, 2025, and referred to the State Affairs committee on April 3, 2025. Without the full bill text or summary details, a factual policy description cannot be provided.

Maddy summaryHB 4858 requires water districts created on or after September 1, 2025, to set aside a reasonable portion of their land for recreational facilities. These facilities must meet definitions established under Section 49.462 of the Texas Water Code. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, applying only to new districts formed after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 4707 would allow children in Texas public schools who are "unlawfully present" in the United States (without legal immigration status) to enroll if they meet standard residency requirements, such as living with a parent in the school district or being homeless. The bill amends Texas education law to remove the requirement that students must be "lawfully present" for enrollment, while keeping existing residency rules intact (e.g., living with a parent, being in foster care, or having a guardian in the district). It directly affects undocumented immigrant children seeking K-12 education in Texas public schools, ensuring they qualify for state school funding and programs like the Foundation School Program. The bill does not address immigration status but focuses on school access and funding eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 4962, titled "Relating to the disclosure of citizenship of a candidate for public office," would require candidates for public office to disclose their citizenship status as part of their filing documentation. This requirement directly affects candidates running for elected positions at the local or state level. The bill's key mechanism involves adding citizenship verification to standard candidate filing forms, though specific enforcement details are not provided in the available context. The bill was filed on March 13, 2025, and referred to the Elections committee on April 3, 2025, but its full text is unavailable for detailed analysis.

Maddy summaryHB 4716 amends Texas business law to strengthen oversight of entities operating in the state. It allows courts to order the dissolution of business entities (including foreign entities) that commit serious violations, such as fraudulent formation, material misrepresentations in filings, exceeding their legal purpose, or if the entity or its top managers face felony convictions or civil liability for felony conduct. The bill also grants the Texas Attorney General authority to inspect business records, investigate potential violations, and interview witnesses, while allowing entities to challenge such investigations in court. These changes directly affect business entities operating in Texas and expand the Attorney General’s enforcement tools for accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 5021 requires Texas public school libraries to adopt collection development policies that prohibit materials deemed harmful under Texas Penal Code §43.24, sexually explicit by vendors, vulgar/unsuitable per *Pico v. Board of Education*, or listed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as restricted. It mandates that all library materials - including classroom, school, and online catalogs - must comply with these standards, while requiring schools to communicate with parents about collections and prohibiting removal of materials based solely on ideas or author/character backgrounds. The policy must also recognize that obscene content lacks First Amendment protection and affirm parents' primary role in student access decisions. This law applies to all public school libraries starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 4728 requires all Texas counties to use hand-marked paper ballots for every election, eliminating electronic poll lists and ending the countywide polling place program. It directly affects every county in Texas, particularly those previously exempt under Section 42.0051(a) (populations under 1.2 million not using countywide polling centers). The bill repeals the exception allowing electronic systems in certain counties, mandating paper ballots statewide. Key mechanisms include removing the countywide program exemption and requiring election officials to provide written ballot instructions and assistance options for voters.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Texas public schools to provisionally admit students who haven't completed required immunizations but have submitted a request for an exemption affidavit to the Department of State Health Services. It requires schools to accept documentation proving such a request was made, and mandates the health department to provide standardized receipts for all exemption requests (submitted online, in person, by mail, or fax). The policy applies to elementary and secondary schools for the 2025-2026 school year. This creates a temporary enrollment pathway while exemption requests are processed, without altering existing immunization requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4705 requires a judge to disqualify a district or county attorney from prosecuting election law violations if they consistently refuse to pursue such cases under a policy. It allows the Texas Attorney General to step in and prosecute these cases when local prosecutors are disqualified. The law applies only to election offenses committed on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), not past violations. This changes how election-related criminal cases are handled by shifting prosecution authority to the Attorney General when local offices have a pattern of inaction.

Maddy summaryHB 4785 eliminates the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits arising from specific crimes against children or disabled individuals. It removes time limits for filing suits related to offenses including sexual assault of a child (Penal Code §22.011(a)(2)), aggravated sexual assault (§22.021(a)(1)(B)), continuous sexual abuse (§21.02), certain sexual trafficking (§20A.02), compelling prostitution (§43.05), and indecency with a child (§21.11). The bill applies only to cases where the injury occurred on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), leaving prior cases governed by existing law. This change directly affects victims of these specific crimes by allowing them to pursue legal action at any time, regardless of when the offense occurred.