Rep. Joanne Shofner

Maddy summaryHB 100 prohibits Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools from using state funds to purchase or adopt instructional materials that contain obscene or harmful content or appear on the State Board of Education's rejected materials list. The bill requires the State Board to issue a 45-day notice before adding materials to the rejected list, allowing time for revisions. It also bans the use of any instructional materials - whether traditional or open education resources - listed as rejected, while permitting local funds for non-rejected materials. This law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and became effective immediately after the governor signed it on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 102 requires Texas public universities to offer early registration for courses and programs to students in military-related programs who are in good standing. Specifically, it mandates this for students enrolled in ROTC programs, cadet corps (including at senior military colleges), or maritime academies. The law, effective for the 2026 spring semester, obligates institutions to provide this early registration opportunity on the same basis as other designated student groups. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will develop rules to implement this requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires vision insurance companies to create online applications for optometrists and therapeutic optometrists to join their plans. It mandates that insurers provide contracts within 10 business days of receiving a complete application and make credentialing decisions within 30 days. The bill ensures all applicants face identical application requirements and processing timelines, prohibiting insurers from considering extra information beyond the submitted application. It also requires insurers to include approved providers in their plans within 20 business days of contract acceptance. The law applies to all vision care plans serving Texas residents.

Maddy summarySB 33 prohibits Texas governmental entities from using taxpayer funds to pay for or facilitate abortion-related services. It bans transactions with "abortion assistance entities" (organizations providing financial help, travel, childcare, or abortion drugs) or abortion providers for abortion procurement. The law specifically prevents government spending on logistical support like travel, lodging, childcare, or food to help individuals access abortion services. This applies to all state and local government entities and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 33, titled the "Uvalde Strong Act," requires Texas public and charter schools to comply with additional safety and operational requirements related to active shooter incidents and emergencies. It amends the Education Code to mandate adherence to existing rules covering student data systems, criminal background checks, discipline practices, health/safety protocols, bullying prevention, and staff reporting obligations. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools by expanding their compliance obligations under current safety frameworks. It does not create new rules but requires schools to follow more existing provisions related to emergency preparedness and student safety. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 3053 prohibits municipalities and counties in Texas from organizing, sponsoring, or participating in firearm buyback programs. The bill specifically bans local governments from creating programs that aim to remove firearms from circulation, reduce civilian firearm ownership, or allow sales without criminal prosecution concerns. This law directly affects local governments by preventing them from implementing such buyback initiatives. The bill takes effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 146 is a ceremonial resolution directing the Texas governor to award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to U.S. Army veteran Rickey Dudley Wittner. It recognizes Wittner's heroic actions during the Vietnam War on July 10, 1970, when he rescued 12 people from a burning helicopter under enemy fire despite sustaining severe burns. The resolution cites Wittner's prior Soldier's Medal, Purple Heart, and Air Medal for his bravery. As a concurrent resolution, it has no policy impact but formally honors Wittner's military service. The resolution was signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 103 requires Texas comptroller to create and maintain a public database containing detailed information about bonds, taxes, and related projects for all taxing units (like cities, counties, and school districts) in Texas. The database must include bond ballot language, projected tax rates, election results, project uses of funds, and comparisons between adopted and voter-approved tax rates. It also mandates specific data for school district maintenance taxes. The bill includes civil penalties for noncompliance, aiming to increase transparency around local government financial decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 3153 requires facilities like residential treatment centers, juvenile detention centers, and homeless shelters to conduct criminal history checks and employment verifications for all staff, volunteers, and contractors who may have direct contact with children. It applies to the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, counties, and municipalities. The law mandates that facilities review state criminal records and verify employment for anyone potentially providing care, supervision, control, or routine interaction with children at these locations. This policy change aims to prevent physical or sexual abuse by ensuring background checks for all individuals in direct contact with children. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 654, known as the Asp-Morgan Act, allows courts to dismiss criminal charges for minor deer hunting violations where antler spread measurements differ by one inch or less from legal limits. It applies to hunters who report the violation to a game warden before leaving the site, avoid keeping the deer carcass, have no prior similar violations, plead guilty, and complete a hunter education course. If they finish the course and avoid further violations during an 180-day deferral period, the charge is dismissed without creating a conviction record. This policy directly affects hunters who make minor measurement errors in deer hunting, offering an alternative to conviction through education rather than punishment.