Rep. James Frank

Maddy summaryHB 3009 expands Texas' Department of Public Safety database to include individuals convicted of two or more specific violent offenses, including assault with a deadly weapon (Penal Code §§ 22.01, 22.02) or offenses involving force/deadly force, and non-citizens unlawfully present in the U.S. who have two or more such convictions. The bill requires the database to include full names, aliases, dates of birth, physical descriptions, conviction details, and for non-citizens, their last known location. It mandates that the DPS add historical data for qualifying offenders convicted before the law's effective date (by January 1, 2026), unless the individual would be removed from the database under existing rules. This affects law enforcement agencies and individuals with multiple violent offense convictions who meet the expanded criteria.

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 5187 creates new regulations for converting office buildings to residential use in specific large Texas cities and counties. It applies only to municipalities over 90,000 population in counties over 300,000 population, requiring that converted buildings meet strict criteria: at least 65% residential space overall and per floor, with buildings constructed at least five years prior to conversion. The bill defines "mixed-use residential" (65% residential space) and "multifamily residential" (three or more dwelling units), while explicitly exempting historic preservation rules and short-term rentals from its requirements. This legislation standardizes conversion processes but does not override existing private property restrictions or historic district protections.

Maddy summaryHJR 112 proposes adding a new section to the Texas Constitution that affirms parents' inherent right to make decisions about their children's upbringing, including care, custody, and control. It would limit state interference with this right unless the government proves the interference is essential for a compelling interest and narrowly tailored to achieve it. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in the November 2025 election, with the ballot phrasing "The constitutional amendment establishing parents as the primary decision-makers for their children." This would directly affect all Texas parents and state agencies involved in child welfare decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2911 creates new state funding for Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools that do not participate in the state's uniform group health coverage program for active employees. It provides additional aid calculated by dividing the total health care appropriation for education employees by the combined employee count of all qualifying districts, then multiplying by the district's own employee count. This funding must be used solely to pay for group health coverage contributions for district employees. The bill also allows schools that discontinued participation in the program between September 2021 and September 2023 to rejoin before the fifth anniversary of their exit, a provision set to expire in 2030.

Maddy summaryHB 4336 allows hospital employees to take custody of newborns without a court order under specific conditions. It applies to infants 60 days old or younger who are voluntarily left with hospital staff immediately after birth (e.g., handed to an employee or placed in a designated safety device) and where the parent does not express intent to return. The bill amends Texas Family Code Section 262.302(a) to formalize this process, removing the need for judicial oversight in these emergency situations. The law will take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5526 creates a program allowing public schools in Texas counties with fewer than 1 million residents to authorize security volunteers. Eligible volunteers must be either honorably retired law enforcement officers meeting federal standards or veterans, and cannot be current school employees or contractors. Volunteers may carry handguns while providing security on school grounds and in school vehicles, subject to background checks and school-specific safety training. Schools adopting the program must include it in their emergency plans and coordinate with local emergency services.

Maddy summaryHJR 98 is a Texas legislative resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose spending limits on the federal government, reduce federal power over states, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. Texas formally applies to Congress to initiate this process, with the resolution intended as a continuing application until at least 34 states (two-thirds) support the same purpose. This is a procedural request - Texas has no authority to create new laws, but aims to join other states in advancing this constitutional mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 2587 requires Texas hospitals to report costs of providing care to patients without legal immigration status. Hospitals must ask about immigration status during intake (without affecting care) and submit quarterly data on costs and financial impact to a state agency. The agency then compiles an annual report for lawmakers by November 1, detailing total costs and how these expenses affected hospitals. This applies to all Texas hospitals serving patients who were not lawfully present at the time of care, focusing on transparency about uncompensated care expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 3458 bans pet stores from selling dogs or cats, with limited exceptions for animal control agencies and nonprofit adoption organizations that meet specific criteria. These exceptions require organizations to not obtain animals for compensation, breed them, or have ties to breeders or brokers, and pet stores cannot charge fees or claim ownership for adoption showcases. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $500 per day per animal sold. The law applies only to animals obtained by pet stores on or after the effective date.