Rep. Jay Dean

Maddy summaryHB 5331 clarifies that contracts between state agencies or local governments and vendors (such as cybersecurity insurers) cannot include terms that prevent compliance with mandatory security incident notification requirements. Specifically, it makes void and unenforceable any contract language prohibiting or restricting government entities from reporting security incidents as required by law. This bill directly affects state and local government agencies that enter into contracts for goods, services, or cybersecurity insurance. It does not change existing notification requirements but ensures contract terms cannot bypass these legal obligations. The law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2529 amends Texas law to change how the state calculates annual salary supplements for certain county judges. It replaces a fixed 18% of a district judge's base salary with a new requirement: county judges must spend at least 18% of their functions or work hours performing judicial duties to qualify for the supplement. This bill directly affects county judges who meet this threshold, ensuring the supplement aligns with their judicial workload. The change applies only to salary payments starting September 1, 2025, with prior payments governed by previous law.

Maddy summaryHB 2522 requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to collect fingerprints from only one manager or employee per 100-mile radius cluster of locations for dealers applying for or renewing a "dealer general distinguishing number" for 75 or more locations. This replaces previous requirements that would have needed fingerprints for each individual location. The bill directly affects large auto dealers operating across multiple sites, streamlining the application process by allowing a single fingerprint set to cover all locations within a 100-mile radius of the employee's regular workplace. The change applies to original applications and renewals, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 12 requires the State Commission on Governmental Operations to review state agencies that regulate activities through licensing, such as professional or business licensing boards. The bill mandates that these agencies post online notices about the review process and public participation opportunities, and regulatory agencies must also notify licensees and seek their input. The commission must include findings, recommendations, and a 10-year performance analysis for regulatory agencies in its final report. This applies to state agencies in the executive branch with statewide licensing authority (excluding river authorities) and became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2516, the Chris Larkin ALS Act, requires Texas insurers to offer Medicare supplement plans (Medigap) to people under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability, end-stage renal disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It mandates that these individuals receive the same coverage and premium rates as those 65 and older for standard plans (A, B, D), with non-standard plans capped at 200% of the 65+ rate. The bill creates a six-month enrollment window starting when a qualifying individual first enrolls in Medicare Part B, during which insurers cannot deny coverage, charge more for health conditions, or impose waiting periods. This law directly affects Texans under 65 with qualifying medical conditions who rely on Medicare, ensuring equitable access to supplemental insurance without medical underwriting. The bill became effective immediately on June 20, 2025.

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 summarySB 213 prohibits Texas insurers from requiring customers to purchase multiple personal insurance policies (like home and auto) from the same company or bundling them as a condition for coverage. It directly affects consumers who buy residential property or auto insurance, ensuring they can choose insurers separately for each policy type. The key provision bans insurers from using "unfair methods of competition" by forcing policy bundling, making it illegal to require multiple policies from one provider or tie one policy to another. This creates a clear rule for insurers to follow, promoting consumer choice without restricting how insurers offer policies. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1922 modifies when a legal claim begins for certain construction liability cases under Texas Government Code Chapter 2272. It specifies that for this chapter only, a claim accrues on the date a required report is postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service. This change does not affect other legal dates, such as insurance policy coverage or statute of limitations deadlines for other purposes. The bill directly impacts construction companies, contractors, and claimants involved in Chapter 2272 claims. It became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6 amends Texas Education Code Section 12.111 to update requirements for charter schools. The bill specifically adds new criteria allowing charter schools to exclude students who were expelled under Section 37.007, placed in disciplinary alternative education programs under Section 37.006, or have documented criminal histories or discipline problems. While the bill title mentions telehealth mental health services in public schools, the provided text does not detail provisions for telehealth access. The legislation primarily affects charter schools by modifying their student admission policies and discipline management standards. HB 6 was signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025, and is now effective.

Maddy summarySB 1233, the Perinatal Palliative Care Act, requires healthcare providers to inform pregnant women diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-limiting fetal condition about available perinatal palliative care. This applies to approximately 2% of pregnancies where the unborn child has a severe medical condition. The law mandates providers to explain comprehensive supportive care options - including medical, social, and mental health services - to reduce suffering for the mother, unborn child, and family during the perinatal period. It creates administrative penalties for noncompliance and defines perinatal palliative care to exclude actions intended to hasten death. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.