Rep. Charles Cunningham

Maddy summaryHB 298 requires Texas driver's licenses and personal ID certificates to include a clear indication that the holder is a U.S. citizen. This applies to all licenses issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill specifies that licenses must also display the holder's full name, date of birth, a full-face photograph, a distinguishing number, and either a residence address or, for certain federal judges or officials, the courthouse address. It does not change existing requirements for non-citizens. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1061 authorizes Texas public school districts to be reimbursed for certification examination fees and related costs paid by teachers and students pursuing career and technology education certifications (including cybersecurity). The bill requires districts to pay these costs upfront and submit written applications to the commissioner for reimbursement, limiting students to one subsidy per exam. It modifies Texas Education Code sections to clarify eligibility for teachers who pass qualifying certification exams and establish reimbursement procedures. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year, applying to all eligible certification exams under these provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 200 requires courts to provide specific written instructions to juries during the penalty phase of felony trials for defendants convicted of crimes committed before age 18 (excluding certain violent offenses like mass shootings). The instructions clarify that parole eligibility typically begins only after 20 years of actual time served in prison (not counting good conduct credits), and that parole eligibility does not guarantee release. Juries must consider parole laws generally but cannot speculate on how they might apply to the specific defendant. This change directly affects sentencing decisions for juvenile offenders in Texas felony cases, ensuring juries understand parole timelines without influencing their verdict.

Maddy summaryHB 3061 increases penalties for certain criminal offenses committed while wearing masks or disguises specifically to hide the offender's identity. It applies to offenses under Texas law covering assault, robbery, public disorder (Title 5, Chapters 28-30, or Sections 42.01/42.02). If proven, the punishment escalates to the next higher offense category, with a minimum 180-day jail term for Class A misdemeanors. Exceptions allow the penalty increase to be avoided if the disguise was for events like Halloween, proven by a preponderance of evidence.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 5144 aims to prohibit deceptive trade practices by businesses that assist veterans with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims. The bill targets companies that charge fees or provide services related to VA benefits applications, seeking to prevent misleading tactics like false promises of guaranteed approval. However, the full bill text is unavailable in the provided context, so specific provisions, affected parties, or enforcement mechanisms cannot be detailed. Without access to the complete legislative language, a precise summary of how the law would operate or who it directly impacts is not possible. Please consult the bill's PDF version for the full text and detailed provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5337 requires Texas voters to submit proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must provide documents like a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or citizenship papers to county registrars. If proof isn't submitted, voters would only qualify for a limited federal ballot under Chapter 115. The bill creates criminal penalties for failing to provide required documentation and amends election code sections to implement these requirements. This directly affects all new voter registrants in Texas seeking full voting rights.

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 summaryThis bill allows certain Texas state governmental bodies to hold closed meetings when deliberating specific defense, military, or aerospace issues. It covers matters involving the U.S. Department of Defense or NASA considering facilities in Texas, or economic incentives for private entities tied to federal defense programs. The law modifies existing open meeting requirements to permit these closed sessions for the defined topics, without requiring public discussion.

Maddy summaryHB 125 creates the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine as a new academic unit within Tarleton State University. The bill establishes that the college will operate under the oversight of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, offer osteopathic medicine degrees under Tarleton's authority, and partner with public or private teaching hospitals. This legislation directly affects Tarleton State University students seeking osteopathic medicine degrees and expands Texas' network of medical education institutions. The bill amends Texas Education Code to formally include the new college in the state's list of authorized medical and dental programs.