Rep. Brooks Landgraf

Maddy summaryHB 3868 amends Texas law to expand funding for existing air quality programs under the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan. It directs the state commission and comptroller to provide grants for specific initiatives, including clean school buses, alternative fuel vehicle programs, diesel emissions reduction projects, and port authority incentives in areas with poor air quality. The bill specifically authorizes funding for programs like the Texas clean fleet program, hydrogen infrastructure grants, and congestion mitigation projects. These funds support local entities and agencies working to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and ozone precursors. The bill does not create new programs but modifies how existing state-funded environmental initiatives are financed.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 2308 establishes the Texas Commission on Border Security and Illegal Immigration as an advisory body composed of 11 members, including legislative leaders, the governor’s designee, and state agency representatives. The commission’s primary duty is to review the economic, legal, cultural, and educational impacts of illegal immigration on Texas and examine state and federal immigration laws. It will conduct this review through quarterly meetings and provide findings to the legislature, though it has no regulatory authority. The bill creates a formal structure for state-level analysis of border-related issues without implementing new enforcement policies. (Bill text: HB 2308, Chapter 330, Texas Government Code)

Maddy summaryHB 2048 establishes a refund program for beverage containers in Texas, requiring producers to fund a system where consumers receive money back for returning eligible containers. It directly affects beverage producers (who pay for the program), consumers (who return containers at redemption centers), and redemption centers (which process returns and issue refunds). The law defines eligible containers as sealed glass, metal, or plastic vessels holding drinks (excluding large containers, milk, infant formula, and medical foods), with redemption centers required to pay at least the container’s refund value. The Texas Beverage Container Recycling Consortium will manage the program under oversight by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Maddy summaryHB 3622 adjusts Texas school funding rules to better support students at risk of dropping out by modifying how average daily attendance (ADA) is calculated for alternative education programs. It allows schools to accumulate instructional hours over the school year (including summer sessions) for ADA purposes, as long as the annual total doesn't exceed the equivalent of a student with perfect attendance. The bill also increases funding to $500 per student in average daily attendance for students enrolled in community-based dropout recovery programs or designated dropout recovery schools. These changes apply to public school districts and charter schools and take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3695 limits copayments for physical therapy visits under certain health plans. It prohibits health maintenance organizations and preferred provider plans from charging enrollees a higher copayment for a physical therapist visit (without a referral) than for a primary care physician visit. The law applies to plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas enrollees who use physical therapy services without needing a physician referral.

Maddy summaryHB 1998 lowers the spending threshold requiring competitive procurement for Texas school districts, cities, and counties. It reduces the current $100,000 minimum from which competitive bidding applies to $50,000 for most purchases of goods or services. The bill amends multiple statutes (Education Code §44.031, Local Government Code §§252.021, 252.0215, 262.003, 262.023) to implement this change. It maintains existing exceptions, such as for single-supplier items or construction services. The law directly affects all Texas political subdivisions when making procurement decisions above $50,000.

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 1145 allows the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to issue permits for applying treated wastewater from oil and gas operations onto land, directly affecting oil and gas companies seeking to reuse this water. The bill requires TCEQ to establish standards preventing pollution of surface and groundwater during land application. It creates a new permitting process for "produced water" (wastewater from extraction) that has been treated for beneficial use, replacing previous requirements under the Railroad Commission. The law applies only to permits filed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2587 requires Texas hospitals to report costs of providing care to patients without legal immigration status. Hospitals must ask about immigration status during intake (without affecting care) and submit quarterly data on costs and financial impact to a state agency. The agency then compiles an annual report for lawmakers by November 1, detailing total costs and how these expenses affected hospitals. This applies to all Texas hospitals serving patients who were not lawfully present at the time of care, focusing on transparency about uncompensated care expenses.