Rep. Charles Cunningham

Maddy summaryHR 264 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing March 17, 2025, as "Profound Autism Awareness Day" in Texas. It does not create new laws or policies but formally encourages Texans to learn about profound autism, a subtype of autism characterized by severe intellectual disability and intensive care needs. The resolution highlights that profound autism affects approximately one in four children with autism, often impacting marginalized groups, and notes limited access to services for these individuals. It has been adopted by the Texas House of Representatives with no associated funding or regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts new Texas residents from paying use tax on motor vehicles they bring into the state, but only if the vehicle was previously purchased in Texas with use tax already paid at the time of purchase. It directly affects new Texas residents who bought a vehicle in Texas before moving to the state. The exemption applies to vehicles brought into Texas, not those purchased locally after relocation. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1736 exempts Texas from the federal Uniform Time Act of 1966, removing the requirement to observe daylight saving time (DST) changes. The bill applies to all parts of Texas, including areas using Central Standard Time and Mountain Standard Time. This change would allow Texas to remain on permanent standard time without switching clocks, effective November 3, 2025. The bill is procedural and does not create new regulations but modifies the state's compliance with federal time laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1662 creates a new grant program under Texas Education Code to fund services for students with autism. Public school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and regional education service centers can apply for grants to develop innovative autism programs or provide specialized teacher training. The bill requires grant programs to use research-backed methods, include parental collaboration, and maintain parental consent for student participation - prohibiting fees or mandatory enrollment. It also allows flexible scheduling and coordination with community providers while ensuring students can be placed in the least restrictive environment. The program aims to expand accessible, evidence-based support for students with autism across Texas schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1658 allows public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to create policies letting students not enrolled in public school (specifically those receiving instruction from nonpublic schools) access library materials under the same conditions as enrolled students. School boards would need to require these non-enrolled students to provide proof of residency in the district or school's service area. The bill does not mandate such policies but gives districts the option to adopt them, effective September 1, 2025, unless approved for immediate effect by a two-thirds vote. It directly affects school districts (as policy adopters) and nonpublic school students seeking library access.

Maddy summaryHB 1657 establishes a state-funded education savings account program administered by the comptroller. It provides funding for eligible children's education expenses, including tuition, supplies, and tutoring, for students who meet specific criteria: those who failed state assessments, have a disability (as defined by special education or Section 504), or are educationally disadvantaged. To qualify, children must have attended a public school the prior year or be entering kindergarten/first grade. The program terminates if a child graduates, enrolls in public school, or no longer meets eligibility criteria. This applies only to Texas residents meeting the defined eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 3 establishes an education savings account program in Texas, allowing families to use state funds for approved educational expenses for children enrolled in public schools. The program, administered by the state comptroller, provides funding for costs like tuition at private schools, curriculum materials, or tutoring, with funds drawn from general revenue appropriations. Eligibility includes any child attending a public school who is not enrolled in a participating private school, with priority given to children with disabilities. The bill defines key terms and sets funding limits based on the previous biennium's allocation or the cost per participating child, creating a new option for families seeking alternatives to traditional public schooling.

Maddy summaryHB 1357 increases fines for drivers using handheld wireless devices (like cell phones) while operating a motor vehicle. It raises the fine for a first offense from $25-$99 to $100-$200 and for repeat offenses from $100-$200 to $200-$300. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, and does not change the underlying prohibition. This affects drivers convicted of using handheld devices while driving in Texas. The bill is pending in the Transportation committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 1497 is not currently available in the provided context, only the title and basic action timeline are accessible. The title indicates it relates to the placement of a nativity scene on Capitol grounds, but without the full text, specific provisions or policy changes cannot be described. The bill was recently filed and referred to the Culture, Recreation & Tourism committee, but no concrete details about its requirements or affected parties are provided. For an accurate summary, the official bill text or PDF would be needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows parents to transfer their child to another public or private school if they believe the child is being sexually groomed, with state education funding following the child to the new school. It defines sexual grooming as efforts to normalize inappropriate sexual relationships between adults and children or to desensitize children to sexual experiences. The bill requires the state to create rules for accredited private schools participating in the program, while prohibiting the use of federal funds for this purpose. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.