Rep. David Spiller

Maddy summaryHB 778 requires most health insurance plans in Texas to cover medical expenses related to complications ("adverse effects") from gender transition treatments and procedures to reverse those treatments. It applies to individual, group, and employer-sponsored health plans, including HMOs, nonprofit health plans, and certain government-sponsored coverage. The law specifically mandates coverage for medical/surgical expenses tied to complications or reversals of gender transition procedures, not for standard transition care itself. This affects insurers offering plans under Texas Insurance Code chapters 842-846, 884-885, 941-942, and 1501-1682.

Maddy summaryHB 933 amends Texas law to clarify that the Texas Supreme Court has jurisdiction in specific criminal cases involving conflicts between courts, as defined by Section 22.001(a-1) of the Government Code. This change directly affects the Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals by establishing when the Supreme Court may review criminal matters. The bill adjusts Article 4.01 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to explicitly include the Supreme Court in the list of courts with criminal jurisdiction under these conflict circumstances. It does not alter the Court of Criminal Appeals' primary role in handling death penalty appeals or most criminal appeals.

Maddy summaryHB 3531 allows motor vehicle applicants in Texas to voluntarily disclose their military service status when registering or renewing vehicle registration. It directly affects military members who choose to share this information during the registration process. If disclosed, the Department of Motor Vehicles must include the military status in the vehicle's registration records and in any released records or reports related to that vehicle. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not create new requirements or benefits for military members.

Maddy summaryHB 298 requires Texas driver's licenses and personal ID certificates to include a clear indication that the holder is a U.S. citizen. This applies to all licenses issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill specifies that licenses must also display the holder's full name, date of birth, a full-face photograph, a distinguishing number, and either a residence address or, for certain federal judges or officials, the courthouse address. It does not change existing requirements for non-citizens. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 161 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to explicitly prohibit non-citizen residents from voting in Texas elections. The bill would add "persons who are not citizens of the United States" as a new category barred from voting, alongside existing restrictions for minors, those declared mentally incompetent, and convicted felons. If approved by voters in November 2025, this constitutional change would formally enshrine the current legal standard - non-citizens already cannot vote in Texas - into the state constitution. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2025 general election, with ballot language specifying the change. This is a procedural constitutional amendment, not a new voting law.

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 summaryHJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to create two dedicated funds supporting Texas State Technical College System (TSTC) capital projects and equipment. It establishes a "permanent technical institution infrastructure fund" for long-term capital needs (like buildings) and an "available workforce education fund" for immediate operational costs, both administered outside general state funding. This would remove TSTC from annual appropriations that typically apply to other public colleges, providing the system with guaranteed funding streams for infrastructure without competing for general higher education funds. The amendment requires specific distribution rules and prohibits using these funds for non-educational purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 1892 creates criminal penalties for unregulated transfers of child custody in Texas. It defines "unregulated custody transfer" as moving a child between states without court approval, targeting individuals or agencies (like intermediaries) who facilitate such transfers without legal oversight. The law specifically prohibits actions like moving a child across state lines without a court order, with penalties including fines or jail time for violations. It applies to all children under 18, except cases governed by federal Indian Child Welfare Act protections. The bill aims to prevent illegal custody arrangements by establishing clear criminal consequences for unauthorized transfers.

Maddy summaryHB 3525 requires the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District to consider whether a water permit application involves using water "wholly or partly to provide water to a pond or lake to enhance the appearance of the landscape" before granting or denying the permit. This directly affects property owners, developers, or businesses seeking groundwater permits for landscape features like decorative ponds. The bill amends the district’s permit process to mandate this specific consideration as part of their evaluation. It does not change water rights or usage limits, only adding one factor to the district’s decision-making criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 5010 establishes rules for naming sections of Texas' border wall and creating memorial markers for those sections. It allows naming a border wall segment only after a deceased person who was a victim of a crime (including border-related crimes) committed by an alien, as defined in the Penal Code. The Texas Facilities Commission must erect these memorial markers, but can only do so if private donations, grants, or gifts cover all costs - state funds cannot be used. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to border wall segments built by Texas on state-owned land.