Rep. John McQueeney

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 3623 updates how Texas state agencies and the comptroller must solicit bids for certain purchases. It replaces "telegraph" with "fax" and adds "online electronic transmission" as acceptable methods, while removing outdated options. The bill directly affects state agencies and the comptroller when requesting bids for eligible purchases. It takes effect September 1, 2025, modernizing procurement procedures to include digital methods.

Maddy summaryHB 132 defines specific information as confidential for Texas governmental entities. It requires confidentiality for emergency response staffing details, tactical plans, contact numbers (including mobile numbers), critical infrastructure risk assessments, encryption codes for public communications, and federal report details related to terrorism or hostile acts by foreign adversaries. This law applies to agencies like law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency services that collect such information. The bill became effective immediately after Governor Abbott signed it on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1443 creates a new criminal offense in Texas for promoting or possessing a "child-like sex doll," defined as an obscene, anatomically correct doll or robot designed to look like a child and intended for sexual use. It prohibits three specific actions: promoting such dolls (felony, second degree), possessing them with intent to promote (felony, third degree), or simply possessing them (state jail felony). The law presumes intent to promote if someone possesses two or more dolls, but includes an exception for law enforcement using them for legitimate purposes. This bill directly affects individuals who manufacture, sell, or own these dolls, making the specified actions punishable under Texas Penal Code.

Maddy summaryHB 128 prohibits Texas governmental entities (including cities, counties, and state agencies) from establishing, maintaining, or renewing sister-city agreements with countries designated as "foreign adversaries" (China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia) or communities within those countries. It requires existing agreements with such countries to be terminated by October 1, 2025. The law defines "sister-city agreements" as formal partnerships fostering cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges with foreign communities. The prohibition expires on January 1, 2027, making it a temporary policy change affecting all Texas local and state governments.

Maddy summaryHB 4285 allows airlines and other passenger transportation permit holders to sell or serve alcoholic beverages on commercial flights - even when crossing areas where alcohol sales are prohibited - without violating local laws. It also permits these permit holders to store sealed alcoholic beverages at airports they regularly serve or within five miles of such airports in the same county, following commission rules. The bill directly affects airlines and transportation companies holding passenger transportation permits under Texas law. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and modifies Section 48.03(b) of the Alcoholic Beverage Code to enable these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 6 amends Texas Education Code Section 12.111 to update requirements for charter schools. The bill specifically adds new criteria allowing charter schools to exclude students who were expelled under Section 37.007, placed in disciplinary alternative education programs under Section 37.006, or have documented criminal histories or discipline problems. While the bill title mentions telehealth mental health services in public schools, the provided text does not detail provisions for telehealth access. The legislation primarily affects charter schools by modifying their student admission policies and discipline management standards. HB 6 was signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025, and is now effective.

Maddy summaryHB 4211 creates new rules for residential arrangements where buyers purchase an interest in a business entity (like a company or LLC) that owns homes, rather than buying the homes directly. It requires sellers to clearly disclose that buyers are purchasing an entity interest - not the property itself - and prohibits entities from charging transfer fees or restricting transfers of these interests. The law also bans discrimination in these arrangements (e.g., refusing to sell to qualified buyers) and ensures disputes must be resolved in state or federal courts, not private tribunals. This applies to single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and quadruplexes owned by such entities, protecting buyers in these specific ownership structures.

Maddy summaryHB 1586 creates a standardized affidavit form for parents or guardians seeking immunization exemptions for school enrollment. The form must include a statement explaining the benefits and risks of both immunizations and not being immunized. The health department must provide this form online or by mail without collecting personal information, and can only track how many times the form is accessed (not who uses it). This change applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 261 prohibits the sale and offering for sale of cell-cultured protein (food made by growing animal cells in a lab) for human consumption in Texas. It defines "cell-cultured protein" and adds it to existing prohibitions under the Health and Safety Code, making it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, or sell such products. The bill directly affects food producers, retailers, and restaurants selling cell-cultured meat or dairy alternatives within Texas. Violations carry civil and criminal penalties, though specific penalty amounts are not detailed in the provided text. This is a substantive policy change banning a new food category without exceptions for commercial sale.