Sen. Adam Hinojosa

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 3680 modifies subdivision plat requirements in specific Texas counties (defined under Section 232.022) by creating exceptions for certain pre-existing land developments. It allows utility providers to connect land to water, sewer, or other services without a municipal plat certificate if the land meets strict criteria, such as having a completed foundation built before specified dates (1995, 1999, or 2005) and adequate sewer services installed. The bill authorizes counties to charge a fee for processing these exceptions and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance, while creating a criminal offense for willful violations. This directly affects landowners, utility providers, and municipal authorities in the designated counties, streamlining connections for older developments that predate current plat requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2366 creates a state grant program to fund specific improvements for smaller railroads (Class II or III as defined by federal law). The program provides grants to railroad companies or local transportation districts to replace tracks/bridges, improve rail capacity, or restore rail lines, aiming to enhance safety, economic development, and reduce traffic. Grants require at least 10% non-state matching funds and must be approved by the Texas Transportation Commission. Funding comes only from state appropriations or federal grants - not highway funds - and the program became law 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 summarySB 843 requires Texas school districts to report detailed information about bonds, taxes, and related projects to a new Texas Education Agency database. The database must include bond election results, project lists funded by bonds, tax rate projections, and maintenance tax proposals. School districts must submit this data to the agency, which will maintain the database and allow report generation by geographic area. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting all Texas public school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1403 prohibits foster care agencies and state child welfare departments from requiring foster parents to disclose specific firearm types in their homes or report changes to those firearms. It also bans agencies from using any collected firearm information for purposes beyond verifying whether firearms are present in the home. Violating this provision subjects agencies to a $5,000 civil penalty per violation, enforceable by the attorney general. The bill further mandates that all firearm-related information in foster homes remains confidential and exempt from public disclosure under Texas law.

Maddy summaryHB 2820 sets a $100,000 limit on the operating capital charitable bingo groups in Texas can retain in their accounts for expenses (excluding prizes). It directly affects licensed nonprofit organizations and units of organizations that operate charitable bingo games. The bill establishes this cap unless the state commission sets a higher limit by rule or the bingo director approves a higher amount for a specific organization. Exceptions allow flexibility for operational needs but maintain a clear financial boundary for these fundraising activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas to collect de-identified data on veteran deaths from death certificates and submit it to the Texas Veterans Commission. Specifically, it mandates that the state registrar provide details like age, race, cause of death (if suicide or homicide), and occupation, but not medical history unless available. The commission must then produce annual reports by December 1 each year, containing aggregated data, analysis, and policy recommendations for veterans' affairs committees. The first report is due December 1, 2027, with annual reports starting in 2026. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 247 exempts property owners in Texas counties bordering Mexico from paying property taxes on the increased tax value caused by border security infrastructure (like walls, fences, or roads) installed on their land under specific agreements. It also prevents government entities from having to pay higher property taxes when purchasing land or easements for border security projects, as the price paid for those parcels won’t factor into appraising other nearby properties. The law applies only to real property in border counties and covers both infrastructure built on private land and government acquisitions for such projects. This directly affects landowners in border counties and state/federal agencies managing border security. The policy change simplifies tax treatment for border infrastructure development without altering overall property tax rates.

Maddy summaryHB 609 (effective September 1, 2025) creates an exemption allowing oyster farmers with cultivated oyster mariculture permits to discharge cleaning water from oyster-growing structures into state waters. It directly affects permit holders operating under Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 75. The bill permits cleaning only at authorized locations using untreated water from that site, prohibits adding chemicals or soap, and requires compliance with all other permit conditions. This change streamlines routine maintenance for oyster farming operations while maintaining environmental safeguards.