Rep. James Frank

Maddy summaryHB 1461 requires state agencies like the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Texas Juvenile Justice Department to take custody of individuals confined in county facilities within 45 days. If they fail to do so, the agencies must compensate counties for the cost of each day the individuals remain confined beyond that deadline, at the rate the agency would have paid for confinement. This applies to defendants in criminal cases, children in juvenile justice cases, and releasees for administrative violations. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, for all cases occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 5274 creates a new licensing system for anesthesiologist assistants in Texas, requiring them to obtain a state license to use that title or the initials "C.A.A." or "A.A." The bill establishes the Texas Anesthesiologist Assistant Board (with two assistants, two anesthesiologists, and one public member) to regulate the profession, set standards, and impose administrative penalties for violations. It specifically clarifies that healthcare workers performing similar tasks without using the title "anesthesiologist assistant" do not need this license. The bill directly affects individuals seeking to practice as anesthesiologist assistants and the healthcare facilities employing them under this new framework.

Maddy summaryHB 4688 modifies Texas law for civil liability cases involving commercial motor vehicle accidents. It restricts when evidence of regulatory violations (like safety rules) can be used in court, requiring such evidence to directly link the violation to the injury and show the rule specifically applied to the situation. The bill also limits claims against employers for driver negligence unless the employer first admits the driver was acting within their job duties at the time of the accident. These changes apply only to cases filed or tried after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryHJR 138 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to prohibit the state legislature from imposing taxes based on the carbon content of fuels or emissions of carbon dioxide from goods and services. If approved by voters, it would prevent Texas from enacting any carbon tax policy. The bill failed to pass the Texas Legislature on May 12, 2025, so it did not advance to a voter referendum. This would have directly affected all Texans by blocking a potential state-level carbon tax mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 2747 requires hospitals, clinics, health insurers, and other defined health care entities to notify Texas' Attorney General (AG) before completing major ownership changes or transactions. The bill gives the AG authority to study these transactions and enforce rules to prevent anti-competitive consolidation in health care markets. Entities that fail to comply face civil and administrative penalties, aiming to strengthen market competition and protect consumers from rising costs. This applies broadly to health care providers, facilities, and insurers operating in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 2969 prohibits the Texas State Bar from adopting rules, policies, or penalties that restrict law license applicants or holders based on religious beliefs or burden constitutional rights. It specifically bans limitations on licensing due to sincerely held religious beliefs, or restrictions on free speech (including religious or political views), religious association, or assembly. Exceptions allow rules that serve a compelling government interest narrowly tailored to that purpose, or that address willful bias in court proceedings. The bill enables licensees to challenge violations through administrative hearings or lawsuits under Texas law, but not in cases involving sexual misconduct allegations or criminal prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 3708 requires nonprofit hospitals in Texas to screen all patients for charity care eligibility *before* sending bills or pursuing debt collection. Hospitals must apply qualifying charity care discounts upfront, include clear notices about financial assistance on billing statements (with contact details and policy links), and refund patients if eligibility was incorrectly denied. The Health and Human Services Commission can impose escalating penalties: a corrective plan for first violations, $250,000 fines for second violations, and potential tax exemption revocation for third violations. This bill directly affects nonprofit hospitals by changing their billing practices and adding compliance requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2275 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (specialized policies for high-risk or hard-to-place coverage) containing arbitration agreements must specify that any arbitration occurs in Texas and follows Texas law. It mandates that both the arbitration process and contract interpretation be governed by Texas statutes, applying only to contracts delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Existing contracts before that date remain subject to prior law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects insurers writing surplus lines policies in Texas.

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 summaryHB 1290 bans seven specific food additives - brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, propylparaben, azodicarbonamide, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), red dye 3, and titanium dioxide - from free or reduced-price meals provided by Texas school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. The bill applies to meals served under federal programs like the National School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. It prohibits these additives in all meals provided to eligible students through school meal programs, effective for contracts entered into or renewed on or after September 1, 2025. The law aims to remove these additives from school meals without specifying health outcomes or industry impacts.