Rep. Philip Cortez

Maddy summaryHB 1, the Youth CAMPER Act, requires youth camp operators to submit updated plans when altering camp boundaries, building new cabins, or renovating existing cabins that change bed counts or access points. It also mandates the state health department to establish minimum staff-to-camper ratios for overnight stays at youth camps. The bill authorizes penalties for noncompliance but does not specify penalty amounts in the provided text. This law directly affects licensed youth camps operating on a boarding or overnight basis in Texas, focusing on physical safety planning and staffing standards.

Maddy summaryHB 308 creates a new criminal offense for trespassing on or near school or day-care center property. It applies to individuals who enter school property or remain within 250 feet of it if their conduct is disruptive, threatening, or harassing to students, staff, or school operations, and they lack a valid reason (like custody) or written permission from the school. The law requires that the person ignores a reasonable request to leave from school staff before being charged. Violating this law is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine. The bill specifically targets disruptive behavior near schools, not general trespassing.

Maddy summaryHB 766 requires candidates for precinct chair in Texas elections to provide either an email address, a phone number, or both in their ballot applications. This rule applies to all candidates running for precinct chair positions and adds to existing ballot requirements. The bill also makes this contact information confidential, preventing it from being disclosed as public records under Texas law. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1052 requires Texas health insurance plans to cover telemedicine, teledentistry, and telehealth services provided by out-of-state providers on the same terms as in-state services. It applies to Texas residents who primarily live in the state and receive care from providers licensed in Texas with a physical office in Texas. The law ensures equal coverage for out-of-state telehealth visits without additional cost-sharing, but only if the provider meets Texas licensing and office requirements. This bill became effective September 1, 2025, and applies to health plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1056 recognizes physical gold and silver coins meeting specific weight and purity standards as legal tender in Texas for debt payments, while prohibiting government markings except for identifying refiners. It authorizes the state comptroller to establish electronic payment systems backed by bullion held in depositories, allowing transactions using gold/silver-based currency. The bill explicitly states it does not replace U.S. dollars, restrict federal currency, or require businesses to accept gold/silver tender. It also permits the comptroller to set reasonable administrative fees for the system. This law applies to Texas residents and businesses using the state-administered electronic currency system, operating alongside existing federal currency.

Maddy summaryHB 3120 requires owners or operators of facilities housing unaccompanied immigrant children under federal contracts (like those with ICE or HHS) to conduct criminal background checks on staff applicants and employees. It permits these checks for employment screening only, prohibits using the results for any other purpose, and bans disclosure without consent or a court order. Facilities must destroy all such background information within 180 days of receiving it or after an employee's probationary period. The bill also mandates facilities to create agreements with local governments for reporting illnesses and health issues. This law directly affects private facilities contracted by federal agencies to house immigrant youth.

Maddy summaryHB 43 amends Texas law to update the definition of "agricultural business" in the Agriculture Code, explicitly including rural recreational businesses (like hiking or fishing on farmland) and nonprofit land conservation groups. It also revises the composition of the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority's board, requiring the governor to appoint nine members with specific representation: two young farmers/ranchers, two representatives from rural entities (chambers, trade associations), and others with agricultural lending expertise. These changes directly affect entities applying for the Authority's loan and grant programs, such as farmers, ranchers, rural tourism businesses, and conservation nonprofits. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, after passing both chambers unanimously.

Maddy summaryTexas designates May 23 as Family Abduction Awareness Day annually for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This concurrent resolution raises public awareness about family abductions - where a parent or family member abducts a child, often during custody disputes - and highlights that such cases account for 58% of AMBER Alerts in 2022. It does not create new laws or affect specific individuals but aims to emphasize the seriousness of these incidents through annual recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 791 creates specialty license plates for Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, featuring the school's logo on the left and "With Loyal Hearts" on the bottom. Texas drivers who purchase these plates will pay a fee, with administrative costs deducted before the remainder being deposited into the state's general revenue fund. The bill requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to design the plates in consultation with the school and takes effect September 1, 2025. This is a commemorative license plate bill with no direct impact on education funding beyond the revenue generated.

Maddy summaryHB 1875 requires the Texas General Land Office, working with the Texas Veterans Commission, to study access barriers veterans face when seeking burial plots in state veterans cemeteries and identify ways to improve cemetery operations (including locations, maintenance, and other needs). The study must be completed by April 1, 2026, with a final report submitted to legislative leaders and committees. This bill directly affects Texas veterans seeking burial services and the state’s veterans cemeteries, though it does not create new laws - only directing a study to inform future action. The bill took effect September 1, 2025, and expires September 1, 2027.