Rep. Joanne Shofner

Maddy summaryHB 4347 allows children and dependents of qualifying military personnel or veterans to use unused tuition exemption credits from their parent or guardian. It permits active-duty service members (or veterans who would qualify but for the honorable discharge requirement) to waive unused exemption hours and transfer them to their children. After a qualifying military member's death, the exemption can be assigned to children through a spouse or legal guardian if the child doesn't otherwise qualify. The change applies to tuition and fees charged for the 2025 fall semester and later.

Maddy summaryHB 4358 would require a valid prescription from a licensed physician for anyone to purchase oral contraceptives over the counter in Texas. The bill directly affects Texans seeking oral contraceptives without a prescription, making such sales or provisions illegal unless a prescription exists. It amends the Health and Safety Code to prohibit non-prescription sales or provision of oral contraceptives to individuals. The law would take effect on September 1, 2025. This bill changes current practice by mandating physician authorization for over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives.

Maddy summaryHB 4355 amends Texas nursing law to clarify exemptions from licensure requirements and strengthen oversight. It specifies that nursing care provided during disasters, by students, or via prayer/spiritual means generally doesn’t require a license, while adding that nurses working under governor’s emergency declarations remain subject to the Texas Board of Nursing’s disciplinary authority. The bill also creates a new process for expunging disciplinary records from nursing licenses and revises disclosure rules for peer assistance program participation and disciplinary proceedings. These changes directly affect licensed nurses, nursing education programs, and the Texas Board of Nursing in enforcing practice standards.

Maddy summaryHB 4357 requires law enforcement to obtain a search warrant before accessing or using financial records (like bank or credit/debit card transactions) related to firearm or ammunition purchases in criminal investigations. It applies specifically to records showing purchases of firearms or ammunition, directly affecting police and prosecutors seeking such data. The bill mandates warrants must be issued by a judge in the same judicial district as the law enforcement agency, with written applications detailing probable cause and specific record details. Records gathered without a warrant under this law cannot be used in criminal court, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4316 prevents counties and municipalities from banning or fining residents for using transportation modes (like bicycles or scooters) that are already permitted under state law on public roadways. The bill amends Texas Transportation Code sections 251.162 (for counties) and 311.905 (for cities) to prohibit local governments from: (1) restricting such transportation modes, or (2) imposing fines for their use. This directly affects local authorities' ability to create new local restrictions on non-motorized transportation. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and only applies to modes not already restricted by state law.

Maddy summaryHB 4381 requires the Texas Education Agency to create a plain-language document in English and Spanish explaining parents' rights regarding their child's health information and decisions in public schools. The document must cover specific rights, including accessing health records (like counseling or immunization data), withholding consent for health activities, removing children from classes conflicting with religious beliefs, and opting out of certain screenings or vaccinations. School districts must post the document online and email it to all parents before the first day of each school year. The bill also authorizes administrative penalties for schools that fail to comply with these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4210 authorizes the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center to conduct a study on health, nutrition, physical activity, and chronic health issues in Texas. The study will analyze 50 years of existing data to examine historical trends in food and drink consumption (including sweetened beverages and processed foods), substance use (like caffeine, alcohol, and opioids), and physical activity levels. This research aims to provide insights into long-term patterns affecting public health, using existing historical records rather than creating new laws or programs.

Maddy summaryHB 4235 allows Texas state and local governments (public employers) to accept work experience as an alternative to degree requirements for certain jobs. It permits substituting 2-9 years of "direct experience" (verified, relevant work history) for associate's to doctoral degrees, with specific year thresholds (e.g., 4 years for a bachelor's degree). The bill requires employers to advertise substitution opportunities in job postings and prohibits substitution for licensed positions. It also extends this rule to contractors providing services under government contracts. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4241 changes how vacancies on school board trustee positions are filled in Texas independent school districts. It prohibits boards from appointing someone to fill a vacancy until the next general election, requiring instead that vacancies be resolved either at the next regular election or through a special election held under standard election rules. The bill sets a strict 18-month deadline to fill any vacancy and gives property owners in the district the right to sue the school board for violations, allowing them to recover damages and legal fees without first going through an administrative process. This directly affects school boards and property owners in independent school districts by creating clear timelines and legal accountability for vacancy procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 4206 creates an Office of Inspector General within the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to investigate how public education is administered and requires reporting of misconduct by employees at certain educational entities, such as school districts and charter schools. The bill establishes a new criminal offense for specific violations related to misconduct and increases existing administrative penalties while authorizing additional penalties for non-compliance. This legislation directly affects employees of covered educational institutions and the TEA, which will operate the new office to enhance oversight in public education. The bill focuses on strengthening accountability through investigation, reporting, and penalty mechanisms without specifying expected outcomes.