Maddy summaryHB 32, the Texas Women's Privacy Act, requires that certain facilities - such as restrooms, locker rooms, and family violence shelters - be designated and used based on biological sex, defined as the physical condition of being male or female at birth as determined by sex organs, chromosomes, and original birth records. The law applies to correctional facilities, family violence shelters, institutions of higher education, local governments (political subdivisions), and state agencies. It authorizes civil penalties for violations and creates a private right of action, allowing individuals to file lawsuits if they believe the law has been breached. The bill does not apply to state agencies as political subdivisions but covers them separately under the law's definition of "state agency."
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 84 authorizes Texas pharmacists to dispense ivermectin for human use without a doctor's prescription, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking this medication. The bill requires the state health commissioner to issue a statewide order with standardized protocols for pharmacists, including patient instructions and annual reporting on dispensing volumes. It also provides legal protection for pharmacists who follow the order, shielding them from liability or disciplinary action. The commissioner must issue this order within 91 days after the legislative session ends, implementing the policy changes outlined in the new Health and Safety Code section.
Maddy summarySB 1968 amends Texas law to define specific required training topics for real estate professionals seeking licenses through the Texas Real Estate Commission. It details 10 course categories (like agency law, property management, and appraisal) and mandates minimum topics within each, such as fair housing laws, contract elements, and ethics. The bill directly affects real estate license applicants and educators by standardizing the curriculum content for pre-licensing courses. The Texas Real Estate Commission will enforce these updated course requirements for all new license applicants.
Maddy summarySB 1506 sets new timelines for when Texas' Board of Pardons and Paroles must reconsider inmates for parole after a denial. It requires the board to review most inmates' cases between one and five years after denial, while extending this window to one to ten years for inmates serving sentences for certain serious offenses (like those under Section 22.021 of the Penal Code or life sentences for capital felonies). The law applies to all inmates confined in Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities on or after September 1, 2025, regardless of when their offense occurred. The bill, signed into law in June 2025, takes effect September 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 3687 requires fire marshals and related staff (officers, inspectors, investigators) in counties with 100,000+ residents or districts wholly within such counties to obtain specific certifications from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Within 12 months of appointment, fire marshals must hold a prevention-only fire department certification and a fire protection personnel certification, and within 24 months, a fire marshal basic certification. Additionally, those acting as peace officers must hold a permanent peace officer license, and staff conducting fire inspections must meet Texas Commission fire inspection certification standards. This bill applies to all county fire marshals and district fire marshals in qualifying areas, effective September 1, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 482 modifies Texas Penal Code sections to prevent enhanced penalties for assault or harassment against utility employees working in disaster or evacuated areas. It specifically prohibits prosecutors from applying stricter punishments (such as felony charges) under certain circumstances when the victim is a utility worker performing duties during emergencies. The bill directly affects utility company employees, contractors, and agents who provide essential services in crisis zones. This policy change takes effect September 1, 2025, ensuring these workers face standard penalties rather than enhanced ones for related offenses.
Maddy summarySB 1610 increases penalties for individuals civilly committed as sexually violent predators who commit new offenses. It mandates life imprisonment or 25-99 years for felony convictions if the person was a sexually violent predator at the time of the offense (Section 1 of the Penal Code). The bill also elevates harassment offenses by these individuals to a third-degree felony (Section 21.08) and creates a presumption that assaulters knew they were targeting Texas Civil Commitment Office staff wearing distinctive uniforms (Section 22.01). The law directly affects people under civil commitment for sexually violent predator status who commit new crimes, effective September 1, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 841 clarifies that construction workers, contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers who provide labor or materials for property improvements automatically become beneficiaries of trust funds set aside for those projects. The bill adds rules to prevent abusive assignments of unpaid trust fund rights, requiring written agreements only after payment is made and prohibiting assignments tied to the original construction contract. It limits enforceable assignments to specific parties, including other workers, trustees, or property owners involved in the project. This law directly affects construction industry workers seeking payment for services on residential or commercial properties in Texas.
Maddy summaryHB 4753 requires Texas municipalities to issue a verification document to building owners upon request, confirming the municipality has issued a certificate of occupancy for the building. This document can be used in place of the original certificate of occupancy, and municipalities cannot require owners to display the original certificate. The bill directly affects building owners seeking to prove occupancy status and municipalities that issue certificates of occupancy. It takes effect immediately upon the Governor's signature, as noted in the bill's recent actions.
Maddy summaryHB 5436 creates an exception allowing used automotive parts recyclers to purchase certain older vehicles without requiring a title certificate. It applies to vehicles at least 13 years old, purchased solely for parts, dismantling, or scrap, provided they haven't been registered for seven years and recyclers follow specific reporting rules. Recyclers must submit detailed transaction information to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles within three business days and cannot dismantle the vehicle until after this deadline, unless liens are resolved. Violating these requirements constitutes a criminal offense, with the bill establishing new penalties for non-compliance.