Sen. Joan Huffman

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.

Maddy summaryHB 45 requires law enforcement agencies to submit human trafficking reports to both local prosecutors and the Texas Attorney General simultaneously. If a local prosecutor fails to take action within six months, the Attorney General gains automatic jurisdiction to prosecute the case. This law directly affects law enforcement agencies (which must share reports), local prosecutors (who must act within six months or lose jurisdiction), and the Attorney General’s office (which gains authority to handle unprosecuted cases). The bill amends the Government Code and Penal Code to establish these procedures, applying only to human trafficking offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1120 expands rights for victims of specific crimes in Texas, directly affecting victims of family violence, sexual assault, stalking, or violations of protective orders, as well as their guardians or close relatives of deceased victims. The bill codifies 10 specific rights, including the right to receive safety protections from law enforcement, input on bail decisions, timely notifications about court proceedings, information on victim compensation programs, and separate waiting areas during testimony. It also clarifies definitions of "family violence" and "victim" to include offenses like aggravated robbery, trafficking, and injury to vulnerable individuals. These provisions aim to ensure victims and their families have consistent access to information and support throughout criminal proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 1422 changes sentencing for certain sex offenses by prohibiting probation or parole for people convicted of 17 specific crimes, including continuous sexual abuse (Penal Code §21.03), sexual assault (§22.011), and trafficking (§20A.02). It applies to offenses involving child victims, aggravated cases, or those with prior sex offense convictions. The law removes eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, or parole, requiring full prison sentences for these offenses. This takes effect September 1, 2025, following gubernatorial approval on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1902 creates a new criminal offense called "jugging" in Texas law. It prohibits a person from knowingly traveling along the same path as another individual near a business or financial institution (without significantly changing direction) while carrying two or more tools commonly used for crimes, with the intent to steal money. This offense is classified as a state jail felony, escalating to a third-degree felony if combined with robbery or a first-degree felony if combined with theft. The law, effective September 1, 2025, directly targets individuals engaging in this specific pattern of behavior near money-handling locations.

Maddy summarySB 663 requires county community supervision and corrections departments to submit their budget and strategic plan to the state division for approval. The bill mandates that district judges (who established the department) must first review and approve these documents before the department submits them to the state division. Departments must submit the budget and strategic plan annually by March 1st for the upcoming state fiscal biennium. This policy change directly affects county-level community supervision departments and the judges responsible for overseeing them.

Maddy summaryHB 4158 repeals the existing compensation provision for directors of the Texana Groundwater Conservation District under Texas law. The bill removes Section 8857.056 of the Special District Local Laws Code, which previously governed their pay. This change directly affects the district's directors by eliminating the specific compensation rules previously in place. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1300 defines "organized retail theft" as stealing from a merchant through coordinated actions (e.g., acting in concert with others), multiple incidents within 180 days, or benefiting from such theft. It changes how stolen item value is calculated for sentencing by using the merchant's posted sales price (including tax) instead of market value, and makes it easier for prosecutors to prove cases by allowing indictments to reference merchants and aggregate value ranges rather than listing each item. The bill also establishes price tags as evidence of both value and merchant ownership, streamlining prosecutions. This law directly affects Texas retailers and individuals convicted of organized retail theft, with increased penalties for the offense.

Maddy summaryHB 3133 requires social media platforms operating in Texas to create an easy-to-use complaint system for users reporting explicit deep fake material. The bill defines "explicit deep fake material" as AI-generated content falsely depicting real people in sexual acts or exposing intimate body parts. Platforms must provide clear, plain-language notice about this system and review complaints about such content within 48 hours (excluding weekends). This law directly affects major social media platforms by mandating specific procedures for handling these reports, without requiring content removal.

Maddy summarySB 535 restricts the use of evidence about a victim's past sexual behavior in criminal trials for specific offenses, including sexual assault (Penal Code §22.011), trafficking (§20A.02), indecency with a child (§21.11), and related cases. The bill generally prohibits such evidence - whether as reputation, opinion, or specific instances - unless a court holds a private hearing (in camera) and determines it meets narrow exceptions, like proving consent or rebutting medical evidence. Courts must seal records of these private hearings to protect victims' privacy. This law applies to cases under Texas Penal Code sections 20A.02, 20A.03, 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, and 22.021. It became effective September 1, 2025.