Rep. James Frank

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5243 would prohibit SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) beneficiaries in Texas from using their benefits to purchase energy drinks, sweetened beverages, carbonated drinks, candy, potato/corn chips, and packaged cookies. The bill defines "energy drink" as containing at least 65mg caffeine per 8oz and "sweetened beverage" as any nonalcoholic drink with added sweetener. Exceptions include milk products, milk substitutes (like soy milk), unsweetened juices, infant formula, and certain fortified products containing protein or vitamins. This policy change directly affects SNAP recipients who would no longer use benefits for the listed items, while allowing coverage for specified healthier alternatives.

Maddy summaryHB 4660 establishes that space flight activities in Texas fall under both federal and state jurisdiction, prohibiting counties, municipalities, or other local entities from banning or regulating these activities (except as specified in Section 61.132 of the Natural Resources Code). The bill specifically applies to counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico with FAA-approved spaceports and smaller municipalities (under 150,000 population) that have beach access plans. It requires advance notice to local governments for launch dates between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (to the municipality) or 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. (to the commissioners court), and allows temporary beach closures near launch sites for public safety during those dates. The bill does not create new regulations but clarifies local governments' limited authority over space flight activities near coastal areas.

Maddy summaryHB 2068 amends the governance structure of the Harris County Flood Control District, clarifying its boundaries and establishing a process for adjacent counties to join the district. The bill specifies that the district’s territory matches Harris County’s boundaries unless modified by specific laws, and adds a new section (Sec. 1C) allowing neighboring counties to petition to join the district via their commissioners court resolution. The district’s governing body, the Harris County Commissioners Court, would approve such petitions after a hearing if the addition benefits the district. This bill directly affects Harris County’s flood management operations and potentially adjacent counties seeking to participate in regional flood control efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 8 reduces the maximum tax rate school districts can collect for the 2025-2026 school year by $0.0331, calculated using a new method in Section 48.2554 of the Education Code. It directly affects all Texas public school districts by adjusting how their maximum tax rates are determined, ensuring rates don’t drop below 90% of neighboring districts’ rates. The bill updates references to "maximum compressed tax rate" in multiple education funding laws to reflect this change and expires on September 1, 2027. It takes effect September 1, 2025, with no additional funding or program changes beyond the tax rate adjustment.

Maddy summaryThe full text of HB 5183 is not available in the provided context, only its title and recent legislative actions. The title indicates the bill concerns contracts with managed care organizations under Medicaid and the child health plan program, but specific provisions or policy changes cannot be summarized without the bill text. Recent actions show it was filed on March 14, 2025, and referred to the Human Services committee on April 7, 2025. Without access to the bill's detailed content, a factual summary of its mechanisms or affected parties cannot be generated.

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 5185 is not currently available in the provided context - it states "This version is not currently available, but is coming soon. In the meantime, please see the PDF for the content of this bill." Without access to the actual bill language or PDF, a substantive summary cannot be generated. The title indicates it relates to Medicaid and child health plan managed care contracts, but specific provisions, affected parties, or mechanisms are not described in the available information. A summary would require the full bill text, which is not provided here.

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 5184 is not available in the provided context (only a placeholder note indicates it will be available via PDF later). The title "Relating to the Managed Care Consumer Choice Program" suggests it pertains to healthcare policy, but no specific provisions, affected parties, or mechanisms are described. Without the full bill text, a factual summary cannot be generated. For accurate details, refer to the official PDF document once published.

Maddy summaryHB 5546 establishes a uniform December 1 deadline for all reports required under the Health and Safety Code to be submitted to the governor or a legislator. This applies to any state agencies or entities mandated to file such reports under the code, overriding previous deadlines set by other laws. The bill requires these reports to be submitted annually by December 1 of the year they are due, streamlining reporting schedules. The change takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5285 establishes the Thriving Texas Families Program under the Health and Human Services Commission to provide community support services for individuals with unexpected pregnancies. The bill requires that service providers funded through this program cannot be associated with, refer for, or provide abortion-related services as defined in the bill (including referrals for abortion-inducing drugs or travel facilitation). It mandates the commission to create a statewide network offering pregnancy support, adoption assistance, and parenting resources as alternatives to abortion. This program continues a previous "alternatives to abortion" initiative while restricting funding to providers without ties to abortion services.