Sen. Bryan Hughes

Maddy summaryHB 3441 creates legal liability for vaccine manufacturers who advertise a harmful vaccine within Texas. It defines "advertise" broadly to include paid promotions across media (TV, internet, influencers), but excludes doctor-patient discussions or clinic materials. If a manufacturer's advertised vaccine causes injury, victims can sue within three years for actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The law applies only to cases where harm occurs on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2515 designates a specific segment of State Highway 64 in Smith County - between Loop 323 and the western Smith County line - as the "Fire Marshal Jimmy W. Seaton Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of this highway segment and at appropriate intermediate points. This is a ceremonial designation with no impact on transportation policy, funding, or regulations. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 216 requires health care providers in Texas to send patients a written, itemized bill within 30 days after receiving final payment from a third party (like insurance). The bill must list each service or supply provided during the visit and can be delivered electronically via a patient portal (with specific steps to verify portal access), by mail, or as a physical copy at the provider's office. Providers must also honor a patient's preferred delivery method if electronic billing isn't feasible. Violations could lead to disciplinary action by licensing authorities, though good-faith mailings that are returned undeliverable or sent to outdated addresses are exempt. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 34 prohibits Texas state investments in countries designated as "countries of concern" (including China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and any country the governor designates) and in private companies operating in those countries that meet specific criteria. It defines "scrutinized companies" as those engaged in certain business activities (like those linked to the Darfur genocide) or meeting other conditions outlined in the bill. The law applies to all state investment entities, requiring them to divest from or avoid purchasing securities in these entities. An exception allows investments in companies excluded by U.S. federal sanctions regimes.

Maddy summarySB 17 restricts certain foreign governments and entities from purchasing or acquiring title to specific types of real property in Texas if such ownership poses a risk to public health, safety, or welfare. It prohibits purchases of agricultural land, commercial, industrial, residential property, mines, minerals, or timber by organizations or governments from "designated countries" (identified by U.S. intelligence as national security risks). Exceptions include U.S. citizens/permanent residents, entities owned by them, homestead properties, and leaseholds under 100 years. The law creates a new Property Code Subchapter H (Sections 5.251-5.254) to implement these restrictions.

Maddy summarySB 2337 requires proxy advisors (firms providing voting recommendations to shareholders) in Texas to disclose when their advice considers non-financial factors like environmental or social goals instead of solely focusing on financial returns. It applies to proxy advisors serving shareholders of companies based in Texas or with their main office in Texas. Key provisions mandate that if advice isn’t purely financial, advisors must add clear warnings, get written acknowledgment from recipients, notify the company involved, and publicly disclose this on their website. The bill aims to ensure transparency about potential conflicts when non-financial criteria influence voting recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases criminal penalties for unauthorized entry, occupancy, or damage to real property, affecting individuals who illegally occupy homes or damage property (e.g., squatters) and property owners seeking removal. It reclassifies offenses based on financial damage: minor issues become Class C misdemeanors, while damage exceeding $2,500 or specific scenarios (like disrupting water systems or damaging livestock fences) trigger higher penalties, including state jail felonies. Key provisions include raising penalties for property destruction, adding felony charges for tampering with catalytic converters during removal, and authorizing fees for enforcement. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly impacts property disputes and criminal justice outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SCR 49), not a substantive bill. It recognizes Austin Oaks Church for its 100th anniversary in 2025, acknowledging its founding in 1925 by Swedish immigrants as the Swedish Evangelical Free Church, its relocation to southwest Austin in 2002, and its current ministries under pastors Brandon Zieske and BJ Forguson. The resolution formally commends the church's century-long service to the community and directs that a copy be presented to the church. No new laws or policies are created, and it directly affects only the church congregation as a ceremonial honor.

Maddy summaryHB 388 requires Texas' Insurance Commissioner to create a single, standardized questionnaire for health benefit plans to determine which insurance policy pays first when a person has multiple coverages (like employer and individual plans). It applies to nearly all health plans in Texas, including employer group plans, Medicaid, HMOs, health insurance exchanges, and school district coverage. The key provision mandates the commissioner to develop uniform rules for this questionnaire after consulting with stakeholders, replacing inconsistent forms used by different insurers. This aims to simplify the process for patients and insurers managing overlapping coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 5115 increases criminal penalties for election fraud in Texas by elevating the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a second-degree felony under Election Code Section 276.013. It directly affects individuals who commit specific election fraud acts, such as tampering with ballots, voting for deceased voters, or counting invalid votes. The bill amends the law to impose harsher penalties for these violations, excluding certain scenarios like election officials acting in their official capacity (which remains a state jail felony) or attempted offenses (classified as a third-degree felony). This change applies only to offenses committed on or after its September 1, 2025 effective date.