Rep. Suleman Lalani

Maddy summaryHB 5323 creates the Texas Energy Waste Advisory Committee to coordinate state efforts in reducing energy waste and improving efficiency across key agencies. The committee, composed of seven ex officio members from agencies like the Public Utility Commission, ERCOT's independent operator, comptroller, and environmental quality commission, will meet quarterly to review programs and make recommendations. It specifically targets reducing electricity demand during high-risk hours in the ERCOT power region to enhance grid reliability. The committee will provide input to state agencies including the State Energy Conservation Office and Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 783 creates civil liability for intentional online impersonation in Texas, defining it as using someone's name, voice, signature, photo, or likeness on social media without consent (or with a minor's guardian's consent). It allows affected individuals to sue for actual damages - including counseling or identity theft costs - and minimum $500 punitive damages if the impersonation was done with intent to harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten. The law excludes liability for satire or parody (Sec. 98C.004(b)) and preserves Section 230 protections for social media platforms (Sec. 98C.003). It applies to private individuals, not law enforcement acting in investigations, and became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2516, the Chris Larkin ALS Act, requires Texas insurers to offer Medicare supplement plans (Medigap) to people under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability, end-stage renal disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It mandates that these individuals receive the same coverage and premium rates as those 65 and older for standard plans (A, B, D), with non-standard plans capped at 200% of the 65+ rate. The bill creates a six-month enrollment window starting when a qualifying individual first enrolls in Medicare Part B, during which insurers cannot deny coverage, charge more for health conditions, or impose waiting periods. This law directly affects Texans under 65 with qualifying medical conditions who rely on Medicare, ensuring equitable access to supplemental insurance without medical underwriting. The bill became effective immediately on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 26 allows Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) in Texas to offer nutrition counseling and instruction services instead of certain mental health or substance use disorder services covered under the state Medicaid plan. The bill requires contracts between the state and MCOs to include this option, with the state Medicaid advisory committee approving which nutrition services may be substituted (excluding home-delivered meals, food prescriptions, or grocery support). MCOs must provide these nutrition services as an alternative, and the state must annually report on their usage and consider their costs when setting MCO payment rates. This policy directly affects Texas Medicaid beneficiaries who may receive nutrition services in place of other covered services and the MCOs managing their care.

Maddy summaryHB 1481 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt written policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day on school property or at school events. Exceptions allow device use for students with documented medical needs, individualized education plans (IEPs), or health/safety protocols. Schools may implement either a full device ban or a secure storage system for devices during school hours, and must return confiscated devices or dispose of them after providing parents 90 days' written notice. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 2038, the DOCTOR Act, creates a provisional license for foreign-trained physicians who have job offers from Texas healthcare facilities like hospitals or clinics. To qualify, applicants must hold a valid medical license in their home country, meet minimum practice experience (5 years with residency or 10 years without), pass a Texas medical jurisprudence exam, and demonstrate English proficiency. The Texas Medical Board will issue these licenses to streamline the process for qualified foreign physicians seeking to practice in Texas. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4668 allows the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to hire outside experts - such as consultants, accountants, or attorneys - to represent the commission in regional electricity proceedings involving specific utilities. It directly affects Texas electric utilities, which must pay the PUC-approved costs of these services (capped at $1.5 million per utility annually), and ultimately passes these costs to retail customers through a rate adjustment rider. The bill establishes a process where utilities recover both the costs and carrying charges via an annual rider, subject to PUC approval, and requires PUC to consult the attorney general before hiring certain experts. The law took effect immediately after being signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Texas Medicaid payment rules for nursing facilities. It requires Medicaid to pay facilities within 10 days of a clean claim submission, enforces a patient care expense ratio, and mandates reductions in preventable events and unnecessary institutionalizations. Nursing facilities must comply with these standards to maintain Medicaid participation, while Medicaid managed care organizations must provide discharge planning, assist with income collection, and offer payment incentives for cost-reducing initiatives. A new claims portal system is also established for submitting claims to Medicaid managed care organizations. The bill directly affects nursing facilities receiving Medicaid payments and the managed care organizations administering those programs.

Maddy summaryHB 824 requires Texas public high schools to include specific civics content in their government curriculum starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates that the State Board of Education adopt standards covering the roles of elected officials (statewide, county, city), Texas voting processes and election laws, eligibility requirements for office, basic parliamentary procedures, and identifying local representatives. This directly affects all Texas public high school students and educators implementing the social studies curriculum. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 300 increases the maximum Texas Armed Services Scholarship to $30,000 per academic year (up from $15,000), capping at the average cost of attendance at Texas colleges. It expands appointment authority, allowing the governor and lieutenant governor to each appoint two students annually, and each state senator or representative to appoint one student, with deadlines set for September 30. The bill directly affects Texas students enrolled in ROTC or similar military commissioning programs at Texas colleges, requiring proof of program enrollment or acceptance into the Texas State Guard. These changes are effective immediately after the bill was signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.