Rep. Salman Bhojani

Maddy summaryHB 2294 changes how Texas reimburses child-care providers in the Texas Rising Star Program. It allows providers to receive reimbursement at the state's maximum rate based on their program rating level - not their own published rates - provided this doesn't reduce the commission's target for daily children served in subsidized care. The bill directly affects child-care providers participating in the program and the state commission managing subsidy targets. The key provision ensures providers can be paid more fairly without undermining existing daily child care targets. This law took effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5093 modifies Texas public information law to require the secretary of state to disclose a notary public's home address, home phone number, and email address - previously protected under confidentiality rules. This change directly affects notaries appointed under Chapter 406 of the Texas Government Code, making this contact information publicly accessible through the secretary of state's records. The bill amends Section 552.11765 of the Government Code to remove these details from the list of exempt information, overriding prior protections for license holders. The law took effect September 1, 2025, after receiving final approval from the governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 739 clarifies which law enforcement personnel can legally use tracking devices and access certain communications under Texas law. It expands the definition of "authorized peace officer" to include specific roles like county constables, municipal police officers, state park rangers, juvenile justice investigators, and state alcohol agency agents. This change ensures these officers can operate under existing legal frameworks without ambiguity when using tracking equipment or accessing communications data. The bill directly affects local, county, and state law enforcement agencies across Texas that rely on these tools for investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 1105 exempts paramedics employed by Texas cities, counties, or other local governments from tuition and laboratory fees at public colleges when enrolled in emergency medical services courses. This applies only to students maintaining satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate, and does not cover security deposits, additional fees for residents, or graduate-level surcharges. The exemption excludes distance education courses where more than 20% of enrollment exceeds the institution's designated limit. The bill, signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025, became effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 2071 requires child protective services to refer suspected abuse or neglect cases involving medical consultations to specific, independent physicians who weren’t previously involved in the case. It mandates that parents or guardians receive all medical records - including imaging and test results - before referrals and ensures independent medical reviews resolve disagreements about injury causes. The bill also prohibits barriers to parents obtaining records for second opinions or additional testing. This directly affects parents, child welfare departments, hospitals, and healthcare providers involved in abuse investigations. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3016 restricts when rental companies can void damage waivers for rental vehicles. It prohibits voiding waivers unless damage results from intentional harm, unauthorized use (including by drivers under the influence, committing crimes, or using the vehicle for commercial purposes like carrying passengers for hire), or if the renter provided fraudulent information or failed to report a theft properly. The law applies only to rental agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing agreements. This directly affects renters who might otherwise face unexpected charges and rental companies operating in Texas.

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 1592 creates a statewide internet-based alert system managed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to notify the public about dangerous plant and wildlife pests, diseases, and quarantine orders. The system requires agencies like the Texas Department of Agriculture and Parks and Wildlife to share information within 72 hours, enabling email notifications for confirmed cases, quarantine changes, or compliance agreements. It directly affects farmers, ranchers, and residents in areas impacted by pest outbreaks by providing timely alerts. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and mandates coordination between state agencies to ensure rapid public notification.

Maddy summarySB 2900 requires Texas' comptroller to review all advisory groups (like boards, committees, or task forces) directly under the comptroller's office by December 2026. The review assesses whether each group is necessary and promotes efficient operations of the comptroller's office. The comptroller must report to the legislature by that date any groups deemed unnecessary or inefficient. This bill streamlines government operations by evaluating existing advisory structures but does not change public policies or affect citizens directly.

Maddy summaryHB 42 modifies how Texas allocates annual state funds to public universities and colleges by establishing a new formula based on space deficit, facilities condition, institutional complexity, and a separate allocation for the Texas State Technical College System. It specifies exact funding amounts for institutions like the University of North Texas ($65 million), Texas State University ($58 million), and Lamar University ($20 million) for the 2026 fiscal year. The bill changes the method of distributing constitutional appropriations from previous formulas to these new criteria and amounts. Signed into law on June 20, 2025, it takes effect September 1, 2025.