Sen. Bob Hall

Maddy summaryThis bill expands individuals' rights to choose medical treatments, including spiritual or prayer-based care as part of religious practice, while requiring health authorities to follow specific procedures before imposing isolation or quarantine. It mandates that health authorities provide notice and allow individuals to demonstrate why isolation/quarantine isn't needed, limits such orders to five days without court approval, and requires using the least restrictive measures possible. The bill directly affects people subject to public health orders during emergencies, such as during disease outbreaks. It modifies existing health code provisions to add due process protections for individuals facing isolation or quarantine requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas medical licensing officials to verify applicants' eligibility before issuing licenses. Specifically, it mandates checking the National Practitioner Data Bank, confirming no disciplinary actions in other states, and reviewing all application details. If officials fail to verify properly and a physician with an ineligible license causes harm, the licensing director could be held liable for damages. The law applies to license applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, and takes effect that date.

Maddy summarySB 130 proposes to exempt firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition manufactured entirely within Texas from federal regulation. It specifically applies to items that remain within Texas borders and never enter interstate commerce. The bill declares such intrastate-manufactured items are not subject to federal laws or registration requirements under U.S. Congress authority over interstate commerce. This would directly affect Texas-based manufacturers who sell only within the state, removing federal oversight for their locally produced goods.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas Election Code definitions to clarify the separation between federal and state/local elections. It defines "federal election" to exclude presidential elections (e.g., for president/vice president) and specifies "federal office" as U.S. senator or representative roles. The bill also updates terms like "general election for state and county officers" to exclude federal offices and clarifies that "statewide office" refers only to state-level positions. These changes are purely definitional, ensuring election code terminology aligns with federal election structures without altering voting procedures or requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Texas' central registry for child abuse and neglect findings by establishing specific time limits for maintaining names based on case severity. Names will stay in the registry for 5 years for "Moderate" cases, 15 years for "Serious" cases, 30 years for "Severe" cases (or 15 years if a child returned home), and 99 years for "Near Fatal" or "Fatal" cases. It adds new rules requiring removal of names if a case is overturned through administrative review or court, and mandates removal within 10 business days of such a ruling. The bill also requires the department to remove names when it was named managing conservator due to inability to access mental health services for the child, and directs the commissioner to adopt implementing rules.

Maddy summaryTexas SB 115 defines "gender modification procedures" to include surgeries like hysterectomies, mastectomies, and certain hormone treatments, as well as medications causing infertility. It requires health insurers to cover all lifelong medical, mental health, and pharmaceutical costs related to these procedures, including reversal costs. The bill imposes strict liability on insurers for these expenses, regardless of fault or negligence. This directly affects patients receiving such treatments and health insurers offering coverage under state plans.

Maddy summarySB 105 amends Texas election code provisions to standardize procedures for closing polling places during early voting and on election day. It requires election judges to print and sign vote count tapes showing votes per candidate or measure for each machine when closing polls, and to place these tapes in envelope No. 2 during early voting closures. On election day, the bill allows up to three election watchers to sign these tapes. The changes apply to all Texas polling locations and take effect September 1, 2025. These provisions focus on documentation and transparency for vote count verification.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 131 prohibits state agencies, local governments, and law enforcement from enforcing specific federal public health emergency rules that impose restrictions not already part of Texas law. It defines "federally declared public health emergencies" under federal statutes like the National Emergencies Act. Political subdivisions violating this prohibition - by adopting rules or contracts that enforce such federal restrictions - become ineligible for state funding for the following fiscal year. The law allows residents to file complaints with the Attorney General to enforce these provisions.

Maddy summarySB 107 amends Texas election law to clarify how election officials handle and preserve specific election records. It requires poll workers to document detailed ballot counts (including defective, spoiled, and unused ballots) and serial number ranges for public transparency. The bill also shortens the required retention period for precinct election records from 36 to 22 months and mandates that a public list of votes by precinct be available for inspection the day after election. Additionally, it specifies that rejected provisional ballots must be stored in separate, marked envelopes and delivered to the general custodian of election records.

Maddy summarySB 109 amends Texas election law to require that any election watcher present at a polling place (up to three total) may sign a tape printed under the relevant procedure. This procedural change directly affects election watchers who observe polling place operations. The bill adds this specific signature requirement to Section 61.002 of the Election Code, with the change taking effect September 1, 2025. It does not alter voting procedures or eligibility but specifies a documentation step for watchers.