Rep. Jo Jones

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas state attorneys to provide specific written reasons when dismissing criminal cases, including lack of evidence or actual innocence. If a dismissal relates to police misconduct, attorneys must document the misconduct, refer the matter to the law enforcement agency for review, and consider whether to charge the officer. All dismissals still require the presiding judge's consent. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to dismissals occurring after that date.

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 summaryThis Texas bill requires peace officers to use a standardized screening tool when investigating family violence allegations or responding to disturbances involving family violence. Officers must ask specific risk questions (such as about weapon threats, choking incidents, or recent separation) to assess the victim's danger level at the scene. The law also mandates training for officers and requires the Department of Public Safety to report on the protocol's implementation. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and family violence victims in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 195 requires Texas counties to post specific financial details about school districts on their public websites. It applies to school districts with local revenue above a certain threshold (as defined by Texas education law) that have taken steps to reduce revenue, and to all school districts in the county for which this doesn't apply. The bill mandates counties to display the percentage of a district's maintenance and operations revenue coming from local taxes versus state funds for both the current and prior school years. For qualifying districts, it also requires posting the percentage of taxes used for attendance credits, making school funding sources more transparent to the public.

Maddy summaryHB 3730 creates the Texas Southern University College of Dentistry as a new academic unit within Texas Southern University. The bill amends the Education Code to establish governance authority for the college under TSU's board of regents, allowing it to set dental courses, degrees, and management rules. It enables the college to accept gifts/grants, form affiliation agreements with other institutions, and use existing facilities for teaching and research. This bill directly affects TSU students pursuing dental degrees and the university's ability to operate a dental program. The legislation is procedural, focusing on institutional creation rather than substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 3752 establishes the Texas Southern University College of Medicine as a new academic unit within Texas Southern University, directly affecting TSU students, medical education programs, and Houston's healthcare workforce development. The bill creates governance structures under TSU's board of regents, authorizes the college to offer medical degrees, and permits affiliation agreements with other institutions for teaching and research. Key provisions include allowing the college to accept gifts/grants, secure facilities through external partnerships (including teaching hospitals), and operate without using state funds for hospital construction or maintenance. This legislation formalizes the college's creation under the Texas Education Code, advancing TSU's role in medical training.

Maddy summaryHB 3571 requires that in any court case challenging a candidate's eligibility to run for office, the candidate themselves must be a formal party to the lawsuit. This procedural change ensures candidates are directly involved in legal challenges to their eligibility rather than being absent from proceedings. The law applies only to cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing cases governed by prior rules. It does not alter eligibility requirements or standards, only the court process for handling such challenges.

Maddy summaryHB 3198 requires landlords in Texas to provide applicants with a written notice detailing their rental selection criteria and grounds for denial (including criminal history, rental history, income, credit, and incomplete applications) before accepting an application fee. The notice must also state that applicants may submit evidence regarding inaccuracies in criminal history, rehabilitation, or other mitigating factors. Landlords who violate this requirement face liability for $500 plus attorney fees. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to applications submitted on or after that date. This bill directly affects residential landlords and tenants in Texas rental applications.

Maddy summaryHR 223 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing February 11, 2025, as "University of Houston Day at the State Capitol." It honors the University of Houston's contributions to education, research, health care, and athletics in Texas, specifically acknowledging its role in serving over 46,600 students and supporting Texas communities through programs like the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a symbolic acknowledgment of the university's impact, with no new obligations or funding created.

Maddy summaryHR 326 is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) recognizing March 4, 2025, as "Texas Southern University Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It formally honors Texas Southern University (TSU), a historically Black university founded in 1927, for its contributions to education, its 8,700+ students, and its programs like the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses the Texas House of Representatives' recognition and sends an official copy to TSU. This is a symbolic gesture, not a legislative action with concrete changes.