Rep. Alma Allen

Maddy summaryHB 3326 requires Texas public colleges and universities to help adjunct and part-time faculty qualify for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Institutions must count part-time faculty hours at 3.35 hours per credit hour taught and designate them as full-time if they average 30 hours weekly. They must certify employment within 60 days of receiving a faculty member's application and provide annual written notice (by October 1) about PSLF eligibility to all employees. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 463 automatically expunges arrest records for individuals charged with certain controlled substance offenses when their case is dismissed under specific conditions. It directly affects defendants whose charges are dismissed due to completion of court programs (veterans, mental health, or pretrial intervention), lab results showing no controlled substance was present, or dismissal due to lack of probable cause. The bill requires courts to issue expungement orders within 30 days of dismissal in cases where lab analysis confirms no controlled substance was found, and prohibits courts from charging fees for this process. This policy change removes barriers to clearing records for eligible individuals without requiring additional court petitions.

Maddy summaryHB 2708 modifies Texas law to change the waiting periods for certain criminal defendants to petition for an order that keeps their criminal history records sealed (nondisclosure). It sets specific timeframes after completing probation: one year for most misdemeanors, two years for state jail felonies or certain misdemeanors under specific penal code sections, and five years for other felonies. This applies to people who successfully completed community supervision without revocation, including any required jail time and payments of fines or restitution. The bill updates eligibility rules in the Government Code to clarify when these petitions can be filed.

Maddy summaryHB 1825 requires the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or its foster care contractors to share specific information with juvenile justice agencies upon request. It mandates sharing details about children who have been in foster care, involved in abuse/neglect investigations, or had parental rights terminated. Juvenile justice agencies will receive confirmation of foster care history and the number of prior foster care placements for youth in their custody. This law applies only to requests made on or after the bill's effective date, aiming to improve coordination between child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2341 creates a new system for awarding time credits to defendants confined in state jail facilities for felony offenses. Instead of "good conduct time," it allows defendants who actively participate in approved educational, vocational, treatment, or work programs to earn time off their sentence. The credit equals one day of sentence reduction for each day spent in these programs, but cannot exceed 20% of the original sentence and is denied for defendants with disciplinary issues. This change applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, replacing previous provisions (Articles 42.0199 and 42A.559(g)).

Maddy summaryHB 36, the Sharon Radebaugh Family Violence Protection Act, requires courts to mandate GPS tracking devices for high-risk defendants charged with family violence offenses as a condition of bond. The bill also establishes that defendants may be charged a fee to cover the cost of the GPS monitoring system and requires courts to collect data on bond conditions in family violence and certain other criminal cases. This directly affects defendants facing family violence charges (who may wear GPS devices), victims (who may receive related resources), and courts (which must track bond conditions). The law aims to enhance victim safety through stricter offender monitoring and data collection, without specifying new victim services beyond the data collection requirement.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 945), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally honors Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025, recognizing his life, leadership as the first Latin American pope, and global efforts to serve the vulnerable. The resolution memorializes his legacy, including his work during Argentina's economic crisis, interfaith initiatives, and pandemic-era outreach. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express collective remembrance.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryThe context provided does not include the actual text or substantive details of HB 1821. The bill description states it relates to "information regarding the procedures and available resources for the sealing of juvenile records," but no specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are outlined in the available materials. The bill is currently pending in committee with a scheduled public hearing, but no concrete policy changes or operational details are described. Without access to the full bill text or a substantive summary, a factual summary cannot be generated.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 646), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It honors Brentwood Baptist Church in Houston by recognizing its founding in 1965, community contributions (including HIV/AIDS transitional housing and child development programs), and its 12,000-member congregation. The resolution was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on April 9, 2025, to extend "sincere best wishes" to the church's members during their planned March 25, 2025, visit to the State Capitol. It does not create new laws or affect any policies.