Rep. Joanne Shofner

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would give Texas' Attorney General concurrent authority with county and district attorneys to prosecute criminal violations of election laws. It specifically adds a provision to the state constitution stating the AG "shall have concurrent jurisdiction" to handle these cases alongside local prosecutors. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2025 election to take effect. This change directly affects how election-related criminal cases are handled across Texas, clarifying the AG's role in enforcing election law violations.

Maddy summaryHB 98 amends Texas law to require judges to disqualify district or county attorneys who consistently refuse to prosecute violations of election laws. If an attorney has a pattern of declining to pursue such cases, a judge must remove them from handling those specific prosecutions. The Attorney General then gains authority to step in and prosecute these election-related offenses when a local prosecutor is disqualified. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior cases governed by existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 34 revises the definition of "eligible school district" for the comptroller's study of school district property values. A district qualifies only if, in the most recent study, its local property value was invalid (not meeting standards) but did not exceed the state value, and for the two prior studies, its local value was valid (met standards). This change applies exclusively to property value studies for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, meaning it will not affect past studies. The bill focuses on clarifying eligibility criteria for the comptroller's ongoing assessment process.

Maddy summaryHJR 6 proposes a constitutional amendment clarifying that the Texas Attorney General has the authority to prosecute criminal offenses under state election laws, alongside county or district attorneys. This would allow the Attorney General's office to directly handle election-related criminal cases in addition to local prosecutors. The bill does not create new election crimes but specifies that the Attorney General shares jurisdiction with local officials for existing election law violations. If approved by voters in May 2026, this change would modify Article IV, Section 22 of the Texas Constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 83 prohibits cities, counties, and other local governments from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofits that lobby on their behalf. It specifically bans spending taxpayer money to employ registered lobbyists or support organizations that primarily represent local governments and hire lobbyists. Taxpayers or residents can sue to stop violations and recover legal fees if public funds are improperly used for lobbying. The bill restricts how local governments spend public money on influencing state legislation.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided context, no substantive text for HB 63 is available. The document states: "This version is not currently available, but is coming soon. In the meantime, please see the PDF for the content of this bill." The bill's summary field is empty, and only a filing date (2025-07-14) is listed. Without access to the actual bill text or PDF, a summary cannot be generated.

Maddy summaryHB 85 requires Texas law enforcement agencies to send reports about election-related crimes to both local prosecutors and the attorney general. If a local prosecutor doesn't file charges within six months of receiving such a report, the attorney general must prosecute the offense. The bill amends Texas law to make the attorney general's role in prosecuting election crimes mandatory (replacing "may" with "shall") rather than discretionary. This directly affects the attorney general's office, local law enforcement, and county prosecutors by clarifying jurisdiction and timelines for handling election law violations.

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."

Maddy summaryHB 84 authorizes Texas pharmacists to dispense ivermectin for human use without a doctor's prescription, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking this medication. The bill requires the state health commissioner to issue a statewide order with standardized protocols for pharmacists, including patient instructions and annual reporting on dispensing volumes. It also provides legal protection for pharmacists who follow the order, shielding them from liability or disciplinary action. The commissioner must issue this order within 91 days after the legislative session ends, implementing the policy changes outlined in the new Health and Safety Code section.

Maddy summarySB 1362 prohibits Texas state and local entities - including courts, law enforcement, and prosecutors - from recognizing, serving, or enforcing "extreme risk protective orders" (commonly called "red flag" orders). These orders typically restrict firearm access when a court deems someone a risk to themselves or others. The bill creates a criminal offense for violating this prohibition and blocks Texas entities from accepting federal grants meant to implement such orders. It directly affects all Texas government bodies and law enforcement agencies, preventing them from participating in programs that require enforcing these firearm restrictions. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.