Rep. Suleman Lalani

Maddy summaryHB 3727 creates a state grant program to fund railroad grade separation projects at non-state highway intersections and pedestrian crossings. It directly affects local governments and railroad companies by providing grants for projects that improve safety and reduce traffic. Key requirements include a 10% non-state funding match (from other sources or as matching funds) and restrictions on using state highway funds. The program can only use state appropriations, federal grants, or donations, and the Transportation Commission must adopt rules by October 2025.

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 1268 creates the Texas Technology and Innovation Program to help Texas businesses access federal funding for technology development. The program matches or supplements money businesses receive through federal small business innovation programs (like those under 15 U.S.C. § 638), specifically targeting eligible Texas-based companies. To qualify, businesses must be organized in Texas, maintain a Texas headquarters or facility, employ most workers in Texas, and already qualify for federal funding without concurrent state support. The bill outlines application requirements, including certification of eligibility and documentation of federal funding stages (like "phase zero" or "phase one" of federal processes).

Maddy summaryHB 2298 establishes a Texas grant program to help hospitals and health care facilities (including federally qualified health centers) adopt artificial intelligence technology for scanning medical images to detect cancer. Qualified applicants must provide 10% matching funds and submit detailed plans for AI implementation, physician review protocols, and expected scan volumes. Grants are capped at $250,000 per recipient, with no more than five awards annually, and recipients must report annual results including scans performed and cancer cases identified. The bill focuses on funding AI tools for early cancer detection through medical imaging, requiring transparency and accountability in how funds are used.

Maddy summaryHJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to create two dedicated funds supporting Texas State Technical College System (TSTC) capital projects and equipment. It establishes a "permanent technical institution infrastructure fund" for long-term capital needs (like buildings) and an "available workforce education fund" for immediate operational costs, both administered outside general state funding. This would remove TSTC from annual appropriations that typically apply to other public colleges, providing the system with guaranteed funding streams for infrastructure without competing for general higher education funds. The amendment requires specific distribution rules and prohibits using these funds for non-educational purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 514 creates a state-mandated maternal health care workforce campaign to address shortages in maternal health services. It directs the Department of State Health Services to develop a public outreach initiative prioritizing continuing education, trauma-informed care training, and recruiting professionals for rural and underserved areas. The campaign specifically aims to increase the number of maternal health care professionals - such as doulas and certified providers - and boost representation of racial and ethnic minority groups in the workforce. Key provisions include facilitating training programs, expanding equipment and facility capacity, and improving access for underserved women. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4438 establishes a statewide pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program for medical students in Texas. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board would contract with eligible organizations (such as tax-exempt nonprofits or accredited medical schools) to operate the program, requiring participating students to express interest in pediatric medical specialties. The program begins for the 2025-2026 academic year and aims to support medical students pursuing careers in pediatric subspecialties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 844 establishes new procedures for Texas municipalities making zoning changes that do not qualify as major overhauls (e.g., not city-wide code updates or new zoning maps). It requires written protests signed by owners of at least 20% of the affected land or 60% of adjacent land within 200 feet to trigger stricter approval rules. If protested, such zoning changes must receive approval from at least three-fourths of the city council. This applies only to smaller, targeted adjustments - not comprehensive zoning changes - as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Texas public universities to disregard undergraduate applicants' academic records older than 10 years when evaluating admission, but requires them to retain the most recent 5 years of grades and credits. Colleges must publicly post their specific policies on this practice and cannot selectively ignore only parts of the 10-year window - they must disregard all records from that period if they choose to apply the policy. The law applies to admissions for the 2025 fall semester and affects how institutions count credits toward degree requirements for students using this "academic fresh start" option. It also ties state funding for relevant credits to this policy starting in 2025.