Rep. Donna Howard introduced HB 1786, a bill on Family, Health, and Human Services, to the Texas House on Wednesday, Jan. 8 during the 89(R) legislative session, according to the Texas Legislature website.
More specifically, the official text was summarized by the state legislature as ’’relating to the women’s health advisory committee’’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
The bill mandates the establishment of a women’s health advisory committee by the executive commissioner, aimed at providing recommendations on women’s health programs, including those previously consolidated. The committee is to be composed mainly of health care providers actively participating in women’s health programs across various sizes and geographic locations within Texas, and with expertise in operating such programs. Additionally, the executive commissioner may appoint a knowledgeable representative from the women’s health industry. Section 2110.008 of the Government Code will not apply to the advisory committee. The committee must be established by Dec. 1, 2025, and this provision expires on Sept. 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on Sept. 1, 2025.
Donna Howard, the vice chair of the House Committee on Appropriations – S/C on Article II and the vice chair of the House Committee on Higher Education, proposed another 24 bills during the 89(R) legislative session. She is also a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.
Howard graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA.
Donna Howard is currently serving in the Texas State House, representing the state’s 48th House district. She replaced previous state representative Todd Baxter in 2006.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Legislative Session | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89(R) | HB 1787 | 01/08/2025 | Relating to the establishment of a higher education plan for human papillomavirus education and prevention |
| 89(R) | HB 1782 | 01/08/2025 | Relating to eligibility for Medicaid for breast and cervical cancer |
| 89(R) | HB 1775 | 01/08/2025 | Relating to reporting information regarding certain evidence collection kits |
| 89(R) | HB 1656 | 12/18/2024 | Relating to emergency detention by a paramedic of certain persons with mental illness for preliminary examination at a mental health facility |
| 89(R) | HB 1531 | 12/05/2024 | Relating to the definition of facility for purposes of workplace violence prevention requirements |
| 89(R) | HB 1442 | 11/21/2024 | Relating to the Internet broadcast or recording of certain open meetings |
| 89(R) | HB 1330 | 11/14/2024 | Relating to the period for which an applicant for admission as an undergraduate student to a public institution of higher education is entitled to an academic fresh start |
| 89(R) | HB 897 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to authorizing the sale or lease by the State of Texas of certain real property located in Austin, Texas |
| 89(R) | HB 887 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to endometriosis and menstrual disorders education and informational materials for public school students |
| 89(R) | HB 868 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to educational and informational materials provided through the Thriving Texas Families Program |
| 89(R) | HB 861 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the procedure for certain complaints against health care practitioners |
| 89(R) | HB 845 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the authority of pharmacists to furnish certain medications |
| 89(R) | HB 837 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to instruction for barbers and cosmetologists on identifying and assisting victims of domestic violence |
| 89(R) | HB 827 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the use of grant money awarded to reduce workplace violence against nurses |
| 89(R) | HB 820 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the eligibility of certain students enrolled in a postsecondary educational institution for the supplemental nutrition assistance program |
| 89(R) | HB 772 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the immunization data included in and excluded from the immunization registry |
| 89(R) | HB 737 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the use of dynamic message signs for the Keep ‘Em Safe Texas Gun Storage Campaign |
| 89(R) | HB 713 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to an exception to certain reporting requirements for health care providers reviewing selected cases for the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee |
| 89(R) | HB 653 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the purchase and use of contraceptives and access to contraceptive information |
| 89(R) | HB 595 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the basic allotment and guaranteed yield under the Foundation School Program, including an adjustment in those amounts to reflect inflation |
| 89(R) | HB 536 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to covered benefits under the child health plan |
| 89(R) | HB 395 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to exceptions to and the repeal of certain laws prohibiting abortion |
| 89(R) | HB 257 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to exceptions to and the repeal of certain laws prohibiting abortion |
| 89(R) | HB 161 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to excused absences from public school for students with a menstrual disorder |
| 88(R) | HB 4720 | 03/10/2023 | Relating to requirements for an annual audit report filed by a school district |
| 88(R) | HB 4722 | 03/10/2023 | Relating to the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant program |
| 88(R) | HB 4726 | 03/10/2023 | Relating to prohibiting weapons in certain facilities providing services to individuals with mental illness or an intellectual disability and community centers providing community-based mental health or intellectual disability services |
| 88(R) | HB 4870 | 03/10/2023 | Relating to an advanced mathematics program for public school students in middle school |
| 88(R) | HB 5036 | 03/10/2023 | Relating to a grant program for reducing workplace violence against nurses |
| 88(R) | HB 5042 | 03/10/2023 | Relating to an adjustment of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by a school district on the residence homestead of an individual who is elderly or disabled to reflect the most recent increase in the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district and the protection of school districts against the resulting loss in local revenue |
| 88(R) | HB 5227 | 03/10/2023 | Relating to the allocation of certain constitutional transfers of money to the economic stabilization fund, the Texas legacy fund, and the state highway fund and to the management and investment of the economic stabilization fund, the Texas legacy fund, and the Texas legacy distribution fund |
| 88(R) | HB 4366 | 03/09/2023 | Relating to the eligibility for and provision of benefits under Medicaid or the child health plan program for certain individuals committed, placed, or detained in certain facilities and settings |
| 88(R) | HB 4454 | 03/09/2023 | Relating to the administration of the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education (ACE) Grant Program by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board |
| 88(R) | HB 4523 | 03/09/2023 | Relating to the period for which an applicant for admission as an undergraduate student to a public institution of higher education is entitled to an academic fresh start |
| 88(R) | HB 4684 | 03/09/2023 | Relating to nursing educational programs offered by for-profit entities |
| 88(R) | HB 4020 | 03/08/2023 | Relating to allowing certain inmates to apply for benefits under certain public benefits programs to be provided at the time of discharge or release |
| 88(R) | HB 4021 | 03/08/2023 | Relating to the eligibility of certain students enrolled in a postsecondary educational institution for the supplemental nutrition assistance program |
| 88(R) | HB 4022 | 03/08/2023 | Relating to excused absences from public school for students with a menstrual disorder |
| 88(R) | HB 4025 | 03/08/2023 | Relating to authorizing the sale by the State of Texas of certain real property located in Austin, Texas |
| 88(R) | HB 4176 | 03/08/2023 | Relating to the summary suspension of a nursing license in connection with a fraudulently or unlawfully obtained diploma, license, or other document |
| 88(R) | HB 3927 | 03/07/2023 | Relating to reports by the Legislative Budget Board regarding the General Appropriations Act and other fiscal actions taken by the legislature and each general appropriations bill proposed by the legislature |
| 88(R) | HB 3959 | 03/07/2023 | Relating to certain regulations and taxes utilized by governmental entities for construction and tourism |
| 88(R) | HB 3606 | 03/06/2023 | Relating to money awarded to providers of women’s health services and family planning services, including the repeal of prohibitions on the provision of those services |
| 88(R) | HB 3513 | 03/03/2023 | Relating to a grant program for certain nonprofit organizations to distribute diapers to families |
| 88(R) | HB 3515 | 03/03/2023 | Relating to the establishment and operation of an interdisciplinary group to review services provided by home and community support services agencies |
| 88(R) | HB 3214 | 03/02/2023 | Relating to the determination of prescription drug reimbursement amounts under the Medicaid vendor drug program |
| 88(R) | HB 3258 | 03/02/2023 | Relating to a report by the Legislative Budget Board on the reliance by this state on certain dedicated revenue for purposes of budget certification |
| 88(R) | HB 3263 | 03/02/2023 | Relating to the inclusion of firearm safety instruction in the required health curriculum for public school students |
| 88(R) | HB 2867 | 02/27/2023 | Relating to the date of dissolution of the Save Historic Muny District |
| 88(R) | HB 2873 | 02/27/2023 | Relating to a strategic plan for improving maternal health, including the consolidation and repeal of certain planning and reporting requirements |
