Rep. David Spiller

Maddy summaryHB 3210 requires state contractors, local governments (political subdivisions), and private employers in Texas to use the federal E-Verify program to confirm employee work authorization. The bill mandates that state agencies cannot award contracts to entities not registered with E-Verify, and contracts must include a certification statement confirming compliance. Contractors must maintain E-Verify participation throughout the contract term, and violations would be referred to the comptroller for action. This policy directly affects businesses and government entities entering into state contracts by making federal employment verification a contractual condition. The bill focuses on implementing existing federal verification requirements through state contract rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2762 clarifies that the owner of land surface rights automatically owns the underground pore space (geologic voids and cavities beneath the land) unless a deed, lease, or contract specifically states otherwise. This directly affects landowners, particularly in areas with oil, gas, or mineral exploration, as it defines ownership of subsurface spaces tied to surface ownership. The bill adds new provisions to Texas Property Code, stating surface owners hold pore space rights by default, without altering existing legal relationships between mineral and surface estates. It takes effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if not.

Maddy summaryHB 2759 restricts firearm possession for individuals convicted of specific violent or property crimes, such as burglary, robbery, assault, or offenses involving force. It prohibits possession for five years after release from prison or supervision, and even after five years, only allows possession at one's home. The law applies to convictions under defined sections of Texas Penal Code covering violent crimes (e.g., Title 5) or certain property crimes (e.g., burglary, robbery, assault). This bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and only applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 2816 protects healthcare providers and facilities from being required to participate in or provide certain health care services that conflict with their sincerely held religious or philosophical beliefs. It defines key terms like "conscience," "health care provider" (including students and non-licensed staff), and "health care service" (covering family planning, abortion-related counseling, and treatment). The bill creates a civil remedy for violations and authorizes disciplinary action against entities that force non-participation in services due to conscience objections. It directly affects hospitals, clinics, pharmacists, and all healthcare workers who may decline services like abortion care or contraception-related counseling. The law aims to prevent adverse actions against providers who refuse such services based on personal beliefs.

Maddy summaryHB 2922 prohibits health insurance companies from using artificial intelligence algorithms as the sole basis to deny, delay, or modify health care services for plan members based on medical necessity. The bill requires that only physicians or licensed health care providers can determine if care is medically necessary or appropriate, ensuring human oversight in critical decisions. It also grants the insurance commissioner authority to audit insurers' use of AI in these reviews at any time. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting health benefit plans, insurers, and the care decisions of plan members.

Maddy summaryHB 76 prohibits local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to pay nonprofit organizations that accept public donations to post bail bonds for defendants. It directly affects political subdivisions that might fund such bail programs through public money. The bill bans this spending and allows taxpayers or residents to sue to stop it, with successful plaintiffs able to recover legal fees. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryHJR 15 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing judges to deny bail to individuals accused of specific serious crimes - including first-degree sexual offenses, violent offenses, or continuous human trafficking - pending trial. Judges may deny bail only after a hearing where they find, by clear and convincing evidence, that bail would not ensure the defendant’s court appearance or community safety. The amendment requires judges to issue a written order detailing their findings and reasoning. It does not restrict defendants’ rights to challenge bail denials under existing law and specifies that judges must consider standard bail factors when making decisions. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in the 2025 election.

Maddy summaryHJR 16 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas courts to deny bail to non-citizens (defined as "illegal aliens" under the bill) charged with felony offenses if a judge finds probable cause they committed the crime. The amendment specifies that bail denial applies only after a hearing where probable cause is established, not automatically. This change would require voter approval in November 2025 before taking effect, as it seeks to amend the Texas Constitution. The bill directly affects non-citizens facing felony charges in Texas courts who meet the defined "illegal alien" criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 2696 requires Texas public elementary and secondary schools to display a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The display must be at least 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall, contain only the specific text listed in the bill (including the full biblical wording), and be legible from any point in the classroom. Schools may accept privately donated displays meeting these requirements or use district funds to purchase compliant displays if needed. This law applies to all public schools and explicitly states they cannot claim exemption from this requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 2566 requires Texas peace officers to verify a person's immigration status within 48 hours if the person fails to provide acceptable identification (like a driver's license, passport, or DHS document) during a lawful detention for a suspected crime. It limits officers' ability to inquire about immigration status to specific circumstances: only when necessary for investigating the current crime or assisting victims/witnesses with federal protective visas. The bill creates civil penalties for violations of these requirements and applies to state agencies, local entities, and peace officers enforcing state or federal immigration laws. This legislation directly affects law enforcement procedures during criminal investigations and individuals stopped for suspected offenses who cannot produce standard ID.