Rep. Charlene Ward Johnson

Maddy summaryHB 3342 adjusts how Texas school districts calculate their average daily attendance when unsafe conditions disrupt operations. It requires the state education commissioner to adjust attendance records for districts affected by unforeseen events like power outages lasting over an hour. This change prevents districts from losing state funding due to lower attendance counts caused by external disruptions beyond their control. The bill directly affects school districts facing campus safety issues that force temporary closures or remote learning. It takes effect September 1, 2025, to implement this attendance adjustment mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 3338 restricts permits for certain concrete plants (those doing wet/dry batching or central mixing) located in areas without municipal zoning and within five miles of schools, day-care centers, or hospitals. It prevents the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from issuing or authorizing such permits for new applications filed on or after September 1, 2025. Existing permits filed before that date remain valid under prior law. The bill does not change zoning regulations but adds a specific permit requirement for these facilities near sensitive locations.

Maddy summaryHB 3343 requires Texas peace officers investigating family violence allegations or responding to disturbance calls involving potential family violence to physically separate individuals at the scene. It mandates specific measures to prevent suspects from intimidating victims, including blocking eye contact, using separate rooms if indoors, and creating physical or verbal barriers (like distance or partitions). The bill directly affects peace officers during family violence investigations, aiming to protect victims' safety and testimony. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to standardize these protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 3340 allows Texas municipalities to establish rent control specifically for residents aged 65 or older through city council ordinances. It directly affects seniors in qualifying cities and gives local governments the authority to create such rent limits. The bill adds a new provision to the Local Government Code, requiring cities to follow the same process for continuing or ending rent control as the governor uses for disaster declarations. This change would enable communities to implement targeted rent stabilization for elderly residents, though it does not mandate any city to adopt such policies. The bill is currently in committee review with no votes taken yet.

Maddy summaryHB 3337 changes Texas law to require semiannual (twice-yearly) inspections for elevators, escalators, and related equipment, replacing the previous annual requirement. It directly affects building owners (who must schedule inspections), elevator inspectors (who must register and complete continuing education), and contractors (who must carry $1 million in bodily injury coverage and $500,000 for property damage insurance). The bill mandates inspections follow specific ASME safety codes, requires detailed reporting of violations, and updates rules for equipment alterations or safety threats. These changes aim to strengthen safety oversight through more frequent checks and clearer accountability for maintenance and certification.

Maddy summaryHB 3059 proposes a paid parental leave program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission. It would require employers with 50+ employees (or those voluntarily contributing under the bill) to fund the program, providing eligible employees up to 40 days of paid leave for their own childbirth or 20 days for adoption, spouse's birth, foster care, or kinship care. To qualify, employees must have worked at least 1,540 hours (or 30+ hours weekly) for the employer in the prior year. Paid leave would cover up to the lesser of the employee's average weekly wage or the state average weekly wage, with all costs borne by employers through mandated contributions. The bill is currently in committee referral.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes March 18, 2025, as "National Pan-Hellenic Council Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It honors the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), which represents nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations collectively known as the "Divine Nine," and extends a welcome to their delegation visiting the Capitol that day. The resolution acknowledges the NPHC's history of community service, leadership development, and the contributions of its members, including Texas House representatives. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding policy impact.

Maddy summaryHB 2058 requires hospitals with specific maternal care designations to provide supportive counseling and medical cooling devices (like specialized blankets or cradles) to parents and families following a perinatal death or stillbirth. It creates a grant program to help these hospitals cover costs for staff training on compassionate care and purchasing/maintaining cooling devices. The bill also establishes a hospital recognition program for facilities excelling in perinatal palliative care. These provisions directly affect Texas hospitals licensed under Chapter 241 that serve maternal care patients. The law aims to improve access to and quality of grief support services for families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.

Maddy summaryHB 1966 requires the Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless to study housing needs for youth transitioning from foster care or the juvenile justice system. The study must examine homelessness risks for these youth, assess unique needs (including those who've been in both systems), evaluate state programs supporting transitions, and consult experts. The council must submit a report with findings and legislative recommendations by November 1, 2026. This bill expires December 31, 2026, and does not create new programs but mandates a policy review.

Maddy summaryHB 2362 would exempt teachers in Texas public schools and open-enrollment charter schools from paying sales and use taxes on certain educational materials they purchase. The exemption covers school supplies, books, learning tools, technology used for teaching, and other classroom items, but requires teachers to complete a new form describing how materials will be used. Teachers can claim tax-free purchases up to $500 annually for specific classroom tools (like learning aids), with the exemption form required to be available online by December 31, 2025. The policy takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies only to materials used for educational purposes in the classroom.