Rep. Penny Morales Shaw

Maddy summaryHB 2018 amends Texas law to clarify and strengthen the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program. It defines "agricultural conservation easement" to specifically include protecting water quality, wildlife habitat, rare plants, and preventing land fragmentation. The bill gives the Parks and Wildlife Council new authority to adopt rules, accept donations, establish fee structures, and create protocols for purchasing easements. It prioritizes grant applications that protect agricultural productivity on land at risk of development. The changes affect Texas farmers/ranchers seeking conservation easements and the state program administering these conservation efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 331 creates a legal presumption that certain heart attacks or strokes suffered by firefighters, peace officers, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are work-related if they occur within eight hours after a shift involving strenuous physical activity like firefighting, rescue, or training. This means these first responders no longer need to prove their medical condition was caused by their job - instead, the law assumes it was work-related under specific conditions. The bill applies only to claims filed after its effective date (May 24, 2025), not to past claims. It excludes clerical or administrative work from the presumption, focusing solely on active emergency response duties.

Maddy summaryHB 1672 changes how motor carriers in Texas can appeal certain decisions by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) regarding registration, renewal, or reregistration. It removes the requirement for the TxDMV to provide notice and a hearing before denying these applications, allowing motor carriers to directly appeal denials within 26 days of receiving notice. If an appeal is successful, the registration is treated as if it was properly filed from the original application date. The bill directs the TxDMV to create rules implementing these changes, affecting trucking companies and commercial vehicle operators regulated under Texas Transportation Code.

Maddy summaryHCR 50 designates Galveston as Texas' official Mardi Gras Capital for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes Galveston's historical Mardi Gras celebrations, which began in 1867 and evolved into a major annual event spanning two weeks before Lent. The designation, effective until 2035, formally acknowledges Galveston's role in preserving this cultural tradition through groups like the Knights of Momus and the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce. As a concurrent resolution (not a law with funding or regulations), it has no direct policy impact beyond this ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 290 would provide tuition and fee exemptions at Texas colleges for qualifying members of the Texas military forces (including National Guard and State Guard). It requires public and private institutions to waive tuition for up to 15 semester credit hours per term (increasing from 12) and all mandatory fees when tuition is waived. The program limits assistance to 15 credit hours per term and a maximum of seven academic years or 15 semesters total per service member. The Texas Adjutant General would certify eligible members and administer the program within available funding, with specific caps for Texas State Guard members (30 awards per term unless a compelling need is found).

Maddy summaryHB 1043 requires the Texas General Land Office to study a pilot program using distributed ledger technology (like blockchain) for recording property titles. The study, conducted with a working group including the Department of Insurance and Information Resources, will evaluate two approaches: a public ledger (all records publicly accessible) and a hybrid model (basic info on public ledger, full documents on a secure system). It must include at least one rural and one urban county to compare costs, security, transparency, and complexity, while ensuring current property recording methods aren’t disrupted. The bill does not implement the program but assesses its feasibility for future county adoption.

Maddy summaryHB 3750 would require the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to reimburse current employees for certain legal costs related to their work. Specifically, it allows reimbursement of up to $10,000 in attorney fees for employees acquitted or cleared in criminal cases involving their job duties (protecting children, elderly, or disabled individuals), and up to $5,000 for employees seeking protective orders while on duty. The bill amends the Human Resources Code to establish these reimbursement limits and requires DFPS to create implementing rules. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2542 establishes a work group to study and recommend improvements for specialized services supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Texas. The work group, to be formed by October 1, 2025, includes representatives from state agencies like Health and Human Services, Education, and Criminal Justice, plus disability advocates, family members, service providers, and Medicaid organizations. It will specifically examine services for people with high behavioral needs or mental health conditions alongside intellectual/developmental disabilities. The bill focuses on gathering input to inform policy recommendations, without mandating specific funding or program changes. This is a procedural study bill with no direct legislative action beyond creating the review process.

Maddy summaryHB 50 requires healthcare providers to obtain patient consent before conducting blood screening tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to inform patients they can opt out of the test. If a screening test is positive, providers must offer information about available healthcare, prevention, and support services. The bill applies to all medical screenings for STDs in Texas and takes effect January 1, 2026, after the Health and Human Services Commission adopts implementing rules. It does not change existing testing protocols but adds a consent requirement and post-positive support obligation for providers.

Maddy summaryHB 1701 amends Texas Local Government Code to allow counties adopting a fire code to contract with municipalities or emergency services districts within the county for fire code administration and enforcement. The bill requires county fire marshals to delegate enforcement duties to contracted municipalities or districts under such agreements. This directly affects county fire marshals, local municipalities, and emergency services districts by changing how fire code enforcement responsibilities are shared. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.