Rep. Charles Cunningham

Maddy summaryHB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia and related disorders. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and other eligible organizations for research into dementia causes, prevention strategies, treatments, and symptom mitigation. It establishes oversight committees to manage grants, ensure compliance, and requires annual public reports detailing funded projects and recipients. The institute is set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless extended under Texas Sunset Act procedures.

Maddy summaryHJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. The bill would transfer $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026, for research, prevention, and treatment of dementia and related disorders. The institute would award grants to Texas research institutions, medical facilities, and collaboratives to develop treatments, prevention programs, and address access to care. This initiative directly affects Texans living with dementia and their families, as well as researchers and healthcare providers in the state.

Maddy summaryHJR 84 proposes a constitutional amendment to change Texas bail rules. It would allow the legislature to set minimum monetary bail amounts for people accused of violent felony offenses and require judges to deny bail for individuals charged with a new felony while already on bail for a prior felony (or with two prior felony convictions). The amendment specifically targets cases involving violence or prior serious offenses, mandating bail denial unless a judge issues a ruling within seven days of arrest and a trial occurs within 60 days. This would directly affect defendants charged with certain violent or repeat offenses who seek pretrial release.

Maddy summaryHB 1176 amends Texas Education Code to change the approval process for open-enrollment charter schools. It lowers the State Board of Education's required vote threshold from two-thirds to a simple majority of members present and voting to block a charter school proposal. If the board does not vote against a charter within 90 days of receiving the commissioner's notice, the charter is approved automatically. This directly affects charter school applicants, the Texas Education Commissioner (who proposes charters), and the State Board of Education (which now requires fewer votes to block approvals). The bill does not alter charter school standards or operations, only the procedural approval timeline and voting rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1167 increases minimum bail amounts for defendants charged with violent felony offenses: $2 million for second-degree felonies, $3 million for first-degree felonies, and $5 million for capital offenses. It creates a new criminal offense for committing a felony while on bail for a prior felony and changes eligibility rules for deferred adjudication community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole. The bill directly affects individuals accused of violent felonies and those who commit new crimes while released on bail. These provisions aim to impose stricter pretrial conditions and consequences for repeat violent offenses.

Maddy summaryBased solely on the provided context, this bill's title indicates it relates to displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools, but the actual bill text is unavailable (noted as "not currently available" with a PDF reference). The bill was filed on November 12, 2024, and referred to the Public Education committee on March 7, 2025. No specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are described in the available information. Without access to the full bill text or summary details, a substantive policy summary cannot be provided.

Maddy summaryHB 1076 addresses unauthorized activities on real property, creating new criminal offenses for unauthorized entry, occupancy, or advertising of property for sale/rent. It increases penalties for these violations and authorizes a fee related to enforcement actions. The bill directly affects property owners, tenants, and individuals involved in real estate transactions by establishing clearer legal consequences for unauthorized property use. Key provisions include criminalizing specific unauthorized activities (like occupying a dwelling without permission) and adding financial mechanisms for enforcement. This legislation aims to strengthen property rights protections through defined penalties and administrative fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1129's full text is not currently available in the provided context, only noting it relates to mental health professionals' eligibility for the Homes for Texas Heroes home loan program. The bill was filed on November 12, 2024, and read for the first time on March 7, 2025, before being referred to the Intergovernmental Affairs committee. Without access to the bill's specific provisions or language, no concrete policy changes or affected parties can be described. A summary cannot be generated without the actual bill text, which is referenced as "coming soon" in the system.

Maddy summaryHB 1049 would establish a Texas-issued currency backed by physical gold and silver held in a state-managed depository. It authorizes the comptroller to create this currency, representing specific fractions of a troy ounce of gold or silver, and requires it to function as legal tender for debt payments. The bill mandates electronic transfer capabilities for the currency and designates the Texas Bullion Depository as the exclusive issuer. It also authorizes a fee to cover administrative costs, though specific fee amounts are not detailed in the provided text. This bill is procedural in nature, creating a new currency framework rather than altering existing laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1183 allows counties and municipalities to prohibit e-cigarette retailers from operating within specific distances of school campuses. It sets a 300-foot limit for all primary or secondary schools (public or private) without requiring a school request, and a 1,000-foot limit when school districts or private school governing bodies formally request it. The bill includes an exception: it does not apply to retailers where e-cigarette sales account for less than 50% of total revenue. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, if passed.