Rep. Stan Lambert

Maddy summaryHB 4442 would require Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to offer an elective mindfulness course for all students in middle school, junior high school, and high school. The course must teach specific techniques to enhance focus, manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and build self-awareness and compassion. High school students would be able to count this course toward their elective credit requirements for graduation. The bill would take effect for the 2026-2027 school year, unless it receives a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers, in which case it would take effect immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 1431 defines "cell-cultured protein" as food made by harvesting animal cells and replicating them in a growth medium, then adds it to Texas' prohibited acts under the Health and Safety Code. The bill specifically bans the manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, sale, or offer for sale of cell-cultured protein for human consumption within Texas. This targets companies producing or selling lab-grown meat alternatives, making such activities unlawful under existing food safety prohibitions without creating new regulatory requirements. The bill remains pending after being postponed on May 14, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3507 amends Texas Penal Code Section 31.03 to reclassify theft offenses based on the property's value and specific circumstances, directly affecting anyone committing theft in Texas. It establishes tiered penalties: Class C misdemeanor for theft under $100, Class B misdemeanor for $100-$750 (or prior theft convictions), Class A misdemeanor for $750-$2,500, state jail felony for $2,500-$30,000 (or theft of firearms, driver's licenses, catalytic converters, or ballots), and third-degree felony for $30,000+ or repeated thefts. Key provisions include stricter penalties for theft of specific items like catalytic converters (valued under $30,000), firearms, or election materials, and higher penalties for repeat offenders. The bill changes sentencing outcomes without altering the definition of theft itself.

Maddy summaryHB 4876 changes rules for condo purchase deposits held in escrow. It allows developers (declarants) to withdraw escrow funds for actual construction costs once building begins, provided they secure a bond or insurance policy. This bond must cover the full deposit amount and be payable directly to the buyer if the developer fails to return funds per the purchase agreement. The bill ensures buyers are protected by requiring the bond to match the deposit value, while restricting funds to construction costs only. It applies directly to condo buyers and developers in Texas.

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 summarySB 1809 creates a new criminal offense in Texas for fraudulently using, possessing, or tampering with gift cards, their packaging, or digital redemption data. It specifically targets individuals who intentionally alter physical or virtual gift cards, steal or misuse unique redemption information, or use counterfeit cards to obtain goods or services. The law directly affects fraudsters and protects cardholders, card issuers, and gift card sellers by criminalizing acts like altering card data, possessing stolen redemption codes, or knowingly using fake cards. Key provisions define "counterfeit gift cards" and prohibit actions such as tampering with packaging or transporting unactivated cards to retail stores for fraudulent purposes. This law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 1879 transfers a specific 14.999-acre tract of land in Walker County from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to Walker County. The county must use the property exclusively for a justice center (such as a courthouse or detention facility) and cannot repurpose it or fail to use it for that purpose within 10 years of transfer, or ownership reverts to the state. The bill specifies the property's boundaries and requires a formal transfer document with these usage restrictions. The bill was signed into law by the governor on May 13, 2025, and is now effective.

Maddy summarySB 1409 allows Texas colleges and universities to offer health benefits to enrolled students and their family members without requiring students to enroll in these benefits. The bill defines these benefits as non-insurance products (meaning they are not subject to standard insurance regulations) and specifies they must be limited to students and their families. This law, which became effective immediately on May 13, 2025, creates a new regulatory framework under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1683 for such benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases retirement payments for Texas judicial retirees whose benefits are based on retirement or death dates before September 1, 2024. Starting September 1, 2025, the Judicial Retirement System will increase each monthly payment by 7.5%, with a second 7.5% increase applied on September 1, 2026. These adjustments apply only to payments beginning after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025), affecting current retirees under Plan One or Plan Two of the Judicial Retirement System. The changes are automatic and require no action from beneficiaries.

Maddy summarySJR 57 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit Texas state funds from being used to pay debts or obligations of local public retirement systems (like city or county pension plans). It would amend the Texas Constitution to state that the state is not liable for these systems' debts and that the legislature cannot appropriate state money to cover them. This change would directly affect local retirement systems by shifting financial responsibility entirely to those systems, rather than allowing state funding to cover shortfalls. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election.