Rep. Joanne Shofner

Maddy summaryHB 5265 creates the Texas Health Care Professional Education Fund to dedicate state funding toward increasing health care degree production at eligible public universities. The bill directly affects Texas public universities designated as "general academic teaching institutions" that offer health care professional degrees (such as bachelor's, master's, or doctoral programs in fields listed by federal education standards). Key provisions establish the fund outside the state treasury, managed by the comptroller through a trust company, with distribution rules designed to preserve fund value and ensure predictable annual funding. The goal is to meet state workforce needs by providing a stable, independent funding stream specifically for health care degree programs at qualifying institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 2115 establishes minimum salary requirements for rural law enforcement positions funded through state grants. It sets annual minimums of $75,000 for sheriffs, $45,000 for deputies making traffic stops, and $40,000 for jailers/telecommunicators. Counties receiving grants must use funds exclusively for these salaries, hiring, or equipment, and must contribute 75% of the required salary costs. The bill directs the comptroller to create application rules, deadlines, and monitoring procedures to ensure funds are used properly. This directly affects rural Texas counties operating sheriff's offices, constable offices, and prosecutor's offices.

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryHB 4103 establishes a management framework for the Eyes of Father Margil State Historic Site and Trail in Nacogdoches, Texas. It allows the Texas Historical Commission to contract with the owning municipality to operate and administer the site, including provisions for expansion, preservation, visitor centers, and hiring staff. The bill creates a dedicated "Eyes of Father Margil Fund" funded by site admissions, gift shop sales, and donations, which can be used without legislative appropriation for site maintenance, repairs, or improvements. This bill directly affects the management and funding of this specific historic site and trail.

Maddy summaryHB 1795 amends Texas Penal Code Sections 42.10 (dog fighting) and 42.105 (cockfighting) to adjust criminal penalties. It changes certain offenses from state jail felonies to Class A misdemeanors (e.g., dog fighting under subsection (a)(6) or cockfighting under subsection (b)(5)). For repeat cockfighting convictions, it increases penalties to Class A misdemeanors instead of Class C. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior offenses governed by older law. This directly affects individuals convicted of dog or cockfighting under the specified subsections.

Maddy summaryHB 267 amends Texas Penal Code sections 43.24 and 43.25 to add specific affirmative defenses for defendants accused of distributing obscene or harmful material involving children. It allows defenses if the conduct was for judicial, law enforcement, or legislative purposes (Section 43.24(c)), or if the defendant was a spouse, acting for educational/medical purposes, or within two years of the child’s age (Section 43.25(f)). The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change existing criminal penalties. As of May 2025, the bill remains pending in the legislature after being postponed and laid on the table.

Maddy summaryHB 3618 requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to create policies governing searches of female inmates. It mandates that searches involving unclothed female inmates must be conducted by a female officer when available, and if a male officer must conduct such a search, they must submit a written report within 72 hours. The bill also limits visual body cavity searches (a visual inspection of genital or anal areas with clothing removed) to only "exigent circumstances" like immediate security threats - not routine program access like education or rehabilitation. These policies apply directly to female inmates in TDCJ facilities and must be adopted by September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 54, titled "Relating to the display of and allowance for non-human behaviors in Texas schools," is a procedural bill that amends school discipline requirements. It mandates that Texas public school districts include specific factors in their student conduct codes, such as self-defense, intent, disability considerations, and homelessness status, when making disciplinary decisions like suspensions or expulsions. The bill requires schools to post these codes prominently and consider these factors in all disciplinary actions. It does not ban specific activities but standardizes how schools evaluate student behavior. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1705 limits Texas public colleges and universities from requiring students to complete more credit hours than their accredited program’s minimum, unless the institution provides a compelling academic justification. It updates the definition of "recognized accrediting agency" to include any body designated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, not just the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The bill also ensures transfer students receive full credit for completed courses in similar programs across public institutions, allowing them to finish degrees with fewer additional credits. These changes directly affect students and public higher education institutions in Texas by standardizing credit requirements and transfer policies.

Maddy summaryHB 408 prohibits the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) from favoring construction bids based on environmental, social, or governance criteria (such as carbon emissions) when selecting materials for road projects, if those materials are less cost-effective or durable than alternatives. The bill directly affects TxDOT and contractors bidding on road construction projects by requiring that bid comparisons prioritize cost and durability over ESG factors. It amends the Transportation Code to explicitly ban such preferences in material selection for projects covered under the law. The rule takes effect September 1, 2025, ensuring TxDOT must base contract awards solely on cost and material performance.