Rep. Giovanni Capriglione

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 5317 is not currently available in the provided context. While the title indicates it relates to establishing a risk management pool for insurance coverage, no specific provisions, affected parties, or mechanisms are described in the available information. The bill has been referred to committee and had a public hearing, but the actual policy details are not provided. Without access to the full bill text or summary, a factual description of its provisions cannot be generated.

Maddy summaryHB 3770 requires the Legislative Budget Board to conduct regular efficiency reviews of Texas state agencies. Each state fiscal biennium, the Board must review at least 25 state agencies (including one from each section of the budget) and 40 programs across those agencies. The Board must publish detailed reports by September 1 of even-numbered years, including cost-saving analyses and five-year projections for recommended efficiency improvements. These reports will be shared with the governor and legislature to inform fiscal decisions. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1232 amends Texas Government Code Section 554.002 to strengthen whistleblower protections for public employees. It explicitly prohibits state or local governments from taking adverse actions (like termination or suspension) against employees who in good faith report violations of law to law enforcement authorities - whether the violation involves their own employer, another public employee, or an elected official. The bill directly affects public employees in Texas state and local government who report suspected legal violations. It takes effect on September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 118 establishes the Texas Advisory Committee on Pacific Conflict to advise the state on preparing for potential conflicts in the Pacific Ocean region. The bill defines "Pacific conflict" as threats involving U.S. allies in the Pacific, including attacks on U.S. homeland or disruptions to supply chains with China or Taiwan. The committee will focus on reducing security vulnerabilities in Texas, protecting critical infrastructure (like oil/gas systems, water supply, and communications networks), and ensuring critical procurement for state operations. This is a procedural bill creating an advisory body, not a direct policy change, with no voting record yet as it remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2794 restricts the use of evidence about a victim's past sexual behavior in criminal cases involving sexual assault (Section 22.011), indecent assault (22.012), or aggravated sexual assault (22.021) under Texas law. The bill generally prohibits such evidence, but allows limited exceptions - like proving consent with the defendant or rebutting scientific evidence - only if a judge reviews the evidence in private and determines it outweighs potential harm to the victim. It also disapproves Texas Rule 412, which previously governed this evidence standard. The law applies to cases starting on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain Texas state governmental bodies to hold closed meetings when deliberating specific defense, military, or aerospace issues. It covers matters involving the U.S. Department of Defense or NASA considering facilities in Texas, or economic incentives for private entities tied to federal defense programs. The law modifies existing open meeting requirements to permit these closed sessions for the defined topics, without requiring public discussion.

Maddy summaryHB 2043 creates new regulations for businesses providing "earned wage access services," which allow workers to access a portion of their earned but unpaid wages before their regular payday. The bill requires these providers to obtain occupational registration and imposes administrative penalties for violations, including fines and orders to compensate affected consumers. It defines key terms like "earned but unpaid income" and specifies that the regulation applies specifically to businesses offering these services, excluding payroll providers or employers who directly offer early payments. The law aims to establish clear oversight for this growing financial service while protecting consumers from potential abuses.

Maddy summaryHB 2798 requires virtual currency kiosk operators in Texas to provide clear, plain-language disclosures about key risks before any transaction. These disclosures must cover five specific risks: virtual currency isn't government-backed or insured, transactions may not be recorded immediately on public ledgers, value depends on market demand (risking total loss), and customers aren't obligated to accept virtual currency as payment. The bill also authorizes a fee for these kiosk operations, though the exact amount isn't specified in the provided text. This law directly affects businesses operating physical kiosks that exchange virtual currency for cash or other assets.

Maddy summaryHB 2391 requires Texas public schools and colleges to use the state's official definition of antisemitism (from Government Code Section 448.001, including its examples) when determining if a student's conduct violation under school rules was motivated by antisemitism. It applies to disciplinary actions taken by school districts and public institutions of higher education. The bill mandates schools consider this specific definition as "instructive" in such cases, without creating new penalties. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 3713 modifies Texas Utilities Code to maintain reasonable rates and expand the universal service fund for smaller telecommunications companies. It directly affects local exchange companies and cooperatives serving fewer than 31,000 phone lines, requiring the Public Utility Commission to implement mechanisms - either through modest rate adjustments or fund expansions - to replace revenue losses from federal policies, FCC orders, or other regulatory changes. The bill specifies that these mechanisms must not harm universal service access and prohibits support for companies exceeding 31,000 lines or those that opted into other programs by 2013. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter existing service obligations for consumers.