Rep. James Frank

Maddy summaryHB 1056 recognizes physical gold and silver coins meeting specific weight and purity standards as legal tender in Texas for debt payments, while prohibiting government markings except for identifying refiners. It authorizes the state comptroller to establish electronic payment systems backed by bullion held in depositories, allowing transactions using gold/silver-based currency. The bill explicitly states it does not replace U.S. dollars, restrict federal currency, or require businesses to accept gold/silver tender. It also permits the comptroller to set reasonable administrative fees for the system. This law applies to Texas residents and businesses using the state-administered electronic currency system, operating alongside existing federal currency.

Maddy summarySB 25 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to provide daily moderate or vigorous physical activity for students in prekindergarten through grade 8. Specifically, it mandates at least 30 minutes daily for grades K-5 and 30 minutes daily for at least four semesters in grades 6-8, with alternatives for scheduling challenges (e.g., 135 minutes weekly). The bill prohibits schools from restricting student participation in physical activity as punishment for academic or behavioral issues. It directly affects K-8 students and school employees responsible for implementing physical education curricula, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1388 establishes the Thriving Texas Families Program, a statewide initiative under the Health and Human Services Commission that provides community outreach, consultation, and care coordination for women facing unexpected pregnancies. The program offers "life-affirming" alternatives to abortion through support services, directly affecting pregnant individuals seeking non-abortion options. Key provisions define terms like "abortion services provider" (broadly including those who refer for abortion, fund travel, or provide related information) and "network contractor" (entities delivering program services), shaping eligibility and service delivery. The law, effective September 1, 2025, replaces the previous "alternatives to abortion" program with this new framework.

Maddy summaryHB 3801 establishes the Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council and a separate workgroup focused on nursing career pathways, while eliminating the existing statewide health coordinating council and its nursing advisory committee. The new council, composed of agency representatives and governor-appointed members with healthcare workforce expertise, will compile data on workforce trends - including high school and higher education graduation rates - to develop strategies for a stronger healthcare system. This law directly affects Texas health agencies, educational institutions, and nursing professionals by centralizing workforce planning under the new council structure. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, replacing outdated advisory bodies with a more focused coordination mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 1612 requires hospitals to accept direct payment from patients who are not enrolled in a health benefit plan (e.g., uninsured individuals) for covered health care services. Hospitals must accept full payment within 60 days of the patient receiving a bill or final accounting. This applies to licensed hospitals but excludes ambulatory surgical centers. The law gives uninsured patients a direct payment option without requiring them to navigate insurance billing processes.

Maddy summaryHB 120 amends Texas education law to prioritize college, career, and military readiness for high school students. It adds two new academic goals: requiring graduates to have immediate workforce skills (Goal 5) and ensuring college readiness without remediation (Goal 6). The bill mandates public schools to report de-identified student outcomes - including college enrollment, remedial coursework, and employment data - disaggregated by school district and campus. These reports will inform school accountability ratings and guide funding for career programs like the FAST and R-PEP initiatives. The law directly affects all Texas public high schools, students, and district administrators through updated accountability measures.

Maddy summarySB 13 requires Texas school districts to provide parents with access to records about their child's school library materials, including books or digital resources checked out. It mandates that school libraries prohibit the acquisition of materials rated "sexually explicit" by vendors or deemed "harmful" under Texas law, and restricts access to content described as "pervasively vulgar" or "educationally unsuitable." The bill also creates local school library advisory councils to help develop library policies. These changes directly affect parents, school districts, and students by expanding parental oversight of library resources and setting new standards for library collections. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1314 requires Texas healthcare facilities to provide patients with written price estimates for nonemergency elective procedures (like surgeries or outpatient services) before scheduling. Facilities must deliver these estimates within five business days of a patient's request, including disclaimers about potential cost variations based on medical condition and coverage. The bill also mandates that facilities include information on how patients can dispute bills exceeding the estimate by $400 or more. This law directly affects patients seeking cost transparency and healthcare facilities that must comply with new billing requirements, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4226 exempts nonprofit food banks and specific housing providers from Texas state sales, use, and rental taxes on motor vehicles they purchase, use, or rent. It directly affects food banks (as defined in Section 162.001) and housing providers serving homeless individuals with disabilities who meet strict criteria (continuously homeless for 1+ year or four homelessness episodes in 3 years). The bill adds new Tax Code sections requiring vehicles to be used "primarily" for the organization's core services. This exemption applies only to vehicles acquired on or after its September 1, 2025 effective date. The law was signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 401 allows Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt policies denying participation in University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities to non-enrolled students (e.g., homeschoolers or students attending private schools) who meet eligibility standards. Currently, schools must offer such students the same participation opportunities as enrolled students, but this bill adds that school boards may now choose to decline this participation. It also clarifies that non-enrolled students must prove residency matching their district address for eligibility, and if their eligible district has a "no participation" policy, they may instead join the nearest district without such a policy. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.