Rep. Harold Dutton

Maddy summaryHB 3040 would amend Texas Election Code Section 141.001(a)(4) to require that individuals with a final felony conviction must have received a pardon or court-ordered relief from their disabilities to be eligible for public office. This change directly affects people convicted of felonies who have not obtained a pardon or court-issued restoration of rights. The bill adds this requirement to existing eligibility criteria, including citizenship, age, and residency rules. It would take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2932 creates a 9-member commission to review Texas laws restricting voting rights, jury service, and occupational license eligibility for people convicted of felony offenses. The commission must evaluate these laws and recommend repeals or amendments for those deemed overly restrictive or contrary to justice. Composed of members appointed by the governor, legislature leaders, and judicial officials, the commission must submit findings and specific statute recommendations to state leaders by November 1, 2026. The commission will dissolve after its report, with the bill expiring December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2936 modifies Texas asset forfeiture rules under the Code of Criminal Procedure. It requires prosecutors to only present evidence in forfeiture cases that would be admissible in the underlying criminal trial (removing evidence obtained illegally). The bill also eliminates the requirement for a final criminal conviction to pursue forfeiture, mandating dismissal if the underlying offense was dismissed or the defendant was acquitted - unless the owner knew the property was contraband. These changes apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, leaving prior cases governed by older law.

Maddy summaryHB 2782 changes how Texas open-enrollment charter schools receive funding for instructional facilities. It requires charter schools to receive per-student funding based on the state average local tax rate, but caps total annual funding at $60 million. This directly affects eligible charter schools by altering their state funding calculation method for facilities. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and modifies Education Code Section 12.106(d).

Maddy summaryHB 2847 modifies Texas law regarding parental responsibility for student absences. It directly affects parents whose children miss 10% or more of school time without excuse in a school year. Key changes include increasing maximum fines for repeated offenses (up to $500 for fifth or subsequent violations) and requiring school districts to notify parents at the start of each school year about truancy consequences. The bill also establishes a 30-day window for parents to complete school district agreements to avoid prosecution, with courts mandated to dismiss charges if parents fulfill these terms. School districts must now formally notify parents about potential prosecution under Section 25.093.

Maddy summaryHB 2848 creates a tuition exemption and refund program for eligible students at Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University. It provides a refund for the first semester if a student graduated from a Texas high school (public, private, or home school), is a Texas resident, and earns a 2.0 GPA. For the first two academic years, students maintaining a 2.0 GPA overall are exempt from tuition and fees, but must pass a university-administered exam before starting their third year. Students must apply within one year of their first term, and the program expires after the 2044-2045 academic year, applying to tuition charged for the 2025 fall semester.

Maddy summaryHB 2934 requires prosecutors to specify the underlying offense (e.g., speeding, disorderly conduct) when charging someone solely with resisting arrest under Texas Penal Code Section 38.03. This applies only to cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, affecting prosecutors and courts handling such charges. The bill clarifies that charging documents must name the original reason for the arrest, improving transparency in resisting arrest cases. It does not change penalties or legal standards for resisting arrest itself. This is a procedural change to charging requirements, not a substantive policy shift.

Maddy summaryHB 2779 requires Texas school districts to contract with community-based child-care providers for free prekindergarten classes if they fail bond elections for facility construction or cannot adequately staff classes. The bill creates a new funding mechanism, providing districts with an additional 20% of the basic per-student allotment for each prekindergarten student enrolled in these contracted programs. However, it caps statewide enrollment at 2,000 students for 2026-2027, increasing to 4,500 in 2027-2028 and 7,000 in 2028-2029, with all funding provisions expiring September 1, 2029. This directly affects school districts operating prekindergarten programs, community-based child-care providers, and students enrolled in these state-funded early education programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2780 creates the Texas Teacher Residency Partnership Program, establishing a structured pathway for new teachers to gain classroom experience through partnerships between school districts/charter schools and approved teacher training programs. It directly affects educator preparation programs, school districts, and prospective teachers (called "partnership residents") who will work under mentor teachers in pre-K-12 classrooms. The program requires residents to gradually increase teaching responsibilities - from observation to lead teaching - while participating programs must use research-based recruitment, integrate curriculum with practice, and use multiple assessments to track progress. School districts must meet specific requirements to join the program, and the bill also creates a dedicated funding allotment under the Foundation School Program to support these partnerships.

Maddy summaryHB 2933 modifies Texas law to restrict eligibility for restoring civil rights (such as voting rights) after a criminal conviction. It excludes individuals convicted of offenses involving violence, drugs, or firearms - whether under Texas, federal, or foreign law - from qualifying for rights restoration. To apply, individuals must have completed their sentence and waited at least two years (three years for federal offenses) since conviction, with no recent felony convictions. The law applies to all convictions occurring before, on, or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.