Rep. Cody Harris

Maddy summaryHB 8 establishes a statewide "instructionally supportive assessment program" for Texas public schools, requiring the Texas Education Agency to create assessments focused on student progress monitoring and essential knowledge. It mandates that school districts provide parents with one-click access to their child's assessment results through a parent portal on the agency's website, including secure, unique access codes. The bill also updates school performance ratings and interventions under the accountability system, while creating a grant program to help districts develop local accountability plans. This directly affects public school students, parents, and school districts by changing how assessment data is shared and used to evaluate school performance.

Maddy summaryHB 11 requires the Texas Attorney General to prosecute criminal offenses related to election laws, shifting responsibility from local prosecutors to the state level. It mandates that law enforcement agencies report such offenses to the Attorney General and obligates local prosecutors to provide requested information and assist in prosecutions. The Attorney General may also direct local district attorneys to either prosecute these cases or support the state's efforts. These changes apply only to offenses committed after the bill's effective date, which is set for 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas law enforcement agencies to maintain confidential "department files" for each employee who holds a law enforcement license (such as a peace officer). These files must include any documents about the employee not in their regular personnel file, including unsubstantiated misconduct allegations. Agencies must allow the licensing commission to access these files during hiring or investigations, and the files may be disclosed under specific legal provisions but remain confidential otherwise, not subject to public disclosure under Texas open records law. The bill applies to all Texas law enforcement agencies and their licensed employees.

Maddy summaryHB 218 modifies Texas groundwater permit rules for large transfers outside a conservation district's boundaries. It requires districts to obtain approval from at least two-thirds of other districts in the management area (with each district voting by majority) before issuing permits for wells producing 25,000+ gallons of groundwater daily outside their boundaries. The bill also clarifies that transfers for potable water supply within a utility's service area (if part is inside the district) and emergency interconnects between utilities are not considered "outside" transfers. These changes apply only to permits issued after the bill's effective date, which is 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryHB 215 modifies Texas law to limit landowner liability for groundwater use. It specifically protects landowners (including lessees, heirs, and assigns) who pump 25,000+ gallons of groundwater daily for beneficial use, stating they cannot be sued for interference unless their pumping: (1) lowers water tables harming neighboring land, or (2) unreasonably harms watercourses/lakes. The bill applies only to lawsuits filed after its effective date. This change directly affects large-scale groundwater users, such as agricultural or industrial operations, by reducing legal risks for routine use.

Maddy summaryHB 217 creates legal immunity for groundwater conservation districts in Texas when they restrict well production. The bill states that districts cannot be held liable for damages resulting from actions like enforcing water rules, issuing permits, or limiting well output. This applies specifically to cases where the legal claim arises after the bill becomes effective. The law directly affects groundwater districts (which manage local water resources) and well owners who might otherwise sue over production restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 216 would require Texas groundwater conservation districts to limit new permits so that no single applicant can produce and transfer out more than 5% of the district's modeled available groundwater across all permits issued to them. This directly affects groundwater conservation districts when reviewing permit applications and applicants seeking new groundwater rights for production and transfer. The key provision mandates districts to calculate this 5% cap based on the district's modeled available groundwater, as determined by the executive administrator. The bill applies only to permits issued on or after its effective date, which is 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryHB 183 requires developers to include certified proof of groundwater availability when submitting land subdivision maps for properties where groundwater is the intended water source. This applies to all subdivision plats in Texas, directly affecting developers, landowners, and local planning authorities. The bill mandates certification by a licensed Texas engineer or geoscientist and specifies that local governments (municipalities or commissioners courts) must reject applications lacking this evidence. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will establish the exact rules for certification forms and acceptable evidence of groundwater supply.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 92) aims to eliminate specific state-mandated student assessment tools that are not required by federal education law. It directly affects school districts and students by removing certain end-of-course tests and other state assessments. The bill's key mechanism is to reduce state assessment requirements that exceed federal mandates. However, the full text and specific assessment instruments to be eliminated are not currently available in the provided context. The bill was filed on July 14, 2025, but details about the affected assessments remain pending.

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."