Rep. Salman Bhojani

Maddy summaryHB 5496 requires businesses using artificial intelligence in Texas to be transparent with residents. It mandates that companies implement industry best practices, provide tools for individuals to detect AI use, explain AI-driven decisions, and prevent biased or discriminatory outcomes. The law directly affects businesses offering goods, services, social media, political ads, or financial services to Texas residents. Violations would be treated as deceptive trade practices under existing law, with the bill taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5495 requires online companies to honor browser-based "global privacy controls" (like privacy settings in browsers) that signal a consumer's request not to sell or share their personal data. It directly affects businesses collecting consumer data online in Texas, mandating they treat these signals as valid opt-out requests. The bill establishes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation for failing to comply, with higher penalties for repeated offenses. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5407 prohibits property owners' associations (POAs) from banning residential leases of six months or longer in their governing documents. It also prevents POAs from imposing occupancy limits beyond those already established in Texas Property Code Section 92.010. The bill directly affects POAs and homeowners who wish to lease their properties, ensuring associations cannot restrict longer-term rentals or add extra occupancy rules. If passed with a two-thirds vote, it would take immediate effect; otherwise, it would become law on September 1, 2025. This is a substantive policy change affecting rental terms within community associations.

Maddy summaryHB 5438 prevents property owners' associations (POAs) from banning residential leases of six months or longer. It also stops POAs from imposing occupancy limits stricter than those already established in Texas Property Code Section 92.010. The bill directly affects homeowners who rent their properties and the POAs that govern community rules. This changes what POAs can enforce in their governing documents regarding rentals.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided context, no substantive text for HB 44 is available (the bill text section states "This version is not currently available, but is coming soon"). The bill's title indicates it relates to abortion exceptions based on a physician's medical judgment, but the actual provisions, scope, and affected parties are not described in the provided materials. The bill is in early stages (read first time, pending in committee) but no concrete policy details are accessible. For an accurate summary, the full bill text or official summary would be required.

Maddy summaryHB 4456 requires social media platforms to verify the age of Texas residents before they can create new accounts. Platforms must use reasonable methods (like public or private data) to confirm users are 18+ and cannot retain or misuse the personal information collected during verification. Parents or guardians can request deletion of a minor’s account within 10 days, and platforms must comply. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, applying only to new accounts created after that date, with violations treated as deceptive trade practices under Texas law.

Maddy summaryHB 4459 requires Texas Medicaid managed care organizations to ensure recipients who are survivors of family violence can access trauma-informed health and mental health services through licensed providers. The bill mandates that organizations establish partnerships with family violence services providers, develop protocols for integrating these services into existing care, and track metrics like the number of screenings and referrals. This directly affects Medicaid managed care organizations and their service delivery to survivors of family violence in Texas, with new requirements taking effect April 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4528 would require preferential voting (where voters rank candidates from most to least preferred) in Texas statewide executive and legislative primaries, and allow municipalities to adopt it for local elections. It mandates that voters rank candidates numerically, with votes redistributed to higher-ranked choices if no candidate receives a majority in the initial count. The bill eliminates runoff elections for these races by continuing vote redistribution until one candidate achieves majority support. The Secretary of State must develop voter education materials and training for election officials on the new system.

Maddy summaryHB 4453 amends Texas voter registration forms to add specific data fields, including spaces for a voter's Texas driver's license number, social security number, sex, and optional party affiliation. The bill requires registration forms to include new statements about false information, election judge opportunities, and confidentiality notices. It does not create a new primary election system or authorize a fee as its title suggests; the "nonpartisan primary elections" reference appears to be a misstatement in the title. The changes apply directly to voters completing Texas voter registration applications, modifying the form requirements under the Election Code.

Maddy summaryHB 4455 requires Texas health care providers (licensed or authorized to deliver services in the state) to follow specific rules when using artificial intelligence in patient care. The law mandates that the state health agency create rules ensuring responsible AI use, including requiring providers to notify patients via automated messages if AI is used in their care. These messages must explain the AI use and provide contact information for a provider who can answer patient questions. The rules must be adopted by the Health and Human Services Commission and take effect on September 1, 2025.