Rep. Penny Morales Shaw

Maddy summaryHB 4685 requires fire safety inspections at Texas public and private schools (including charter schools) to include specific checks of medical equipment. Inspectors must verify that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are functional (checking pads, battery, and status lights) and confirm vaccines/over-the-counter medications on campus have not expired. The law mandates that inspection reports document these findings and detail how school administrators were notified of results. This bill applies to all schools subject to fire safety inspections under state or local requirements and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2132 modifies Texas' low-income housing tax credit allocation process to specifically benefit projects reserved for elderly residents. The bill amends the Government Code to allow the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to award more points in project scoring for elderly-focused housing compared to general population housing, even when both projects meet the same criteria. This change applies only to applications submitted during the 2026 or later allocation cycles, not earlier ones. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and repeals prior sections of the Government Code related to this process. The policy directly affects developers seeking tax credits for senior housing projects by adjusting how their applications are evaluated.

Maddy summaryHB 1954 amends Texas Estates Code provisions related to guardianship proceedings. It clarifies that courts may appoint a "guardian ad litem" (a court-appointed representative) to advocate for the best interests of incapacitated persons or proposed wards during guardianship cases, and provides these representatives immunity from civil liability for recommendations made in that role. The bill also prohibits individuals with adverse interests (e.g., potential beneficiaries) from filing guardianship applications, contesting appointments, or challenging guardianship modifications. Additionally, it requires guardians of estates to preserve a ward’s existing estate plan (including probate and nonprobate arrangements) when consistent with the ward’s best interests, considering factors like estate value, maintenance needs, tax minimization, and eligibility for government benefits. These changes directly affect incapacitated persons, courts, and guardians in Texas guardianship proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 5187 creates new regulations for converting office buildings to residential use in specific large Texas cities and counties. It applies only to municipalities over 90,000 population in counties over 300,000 population, requiring that converted buildings meet strict criteria: at least 65% residential space overall and per floor, with buildings constructed at least five years prior to conversion. The bill defines "mixed-use residential" (65% residential space) and "multifamily residential" (three or more dwelling units), while explicitly exempting historic preservation rules and short-term rentals from its requirements. This legislation standardizes conversion processes but does not override existing private property restrictions or historic district protections.

Maddy summaryHB 2048 establishes a refund program for beverage containers in Texas, requiring producers to fund a system where consumers receive money back for returning eligible containers. It directly affects beverage producers (who pay for the program), consumers (who return containers at redemption centers), and redemption centers (which process returns and issue refunds). The law defines eligible containers as sealed glass, metal, or plastic vessels holding drinks (excluding large containers, milk, infant formula, and medical foods), with redemption centers required to pay at least the container’s refund value. The Texas Beverage Container Recycling Consortium will manage the program under oversight by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Maddy summaryHB 4893 establishes the "Breakthrough Program" to provide targeted academic advising for Texas students who are the first in their families to pursue college or who qualify for free/reduced-price lunch. The program requires the Texas Education Agency to coordinate with schools and social services, set performance goals for academic achievement, graduation rates, and college enrollment, and provide training for participating communities. Local school districts must develop funding plans to sustain services if state funding decreases, and may use federal, state, private, or school district funds to support the program. This bill directly affects first-generation college students and educationally disadvantaged youth in Texas public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 178 requires Texas public school districts to include "ethnic studies, world geography, or world history" as one of the three required social studies credits for high school students, alongside existing mandates for U.S. history, government, and economics. It directly affects all Texas public school students in grades K-12 by modifying the social studies curriculum structure under the foundation high school program. The bill adds ethnic studies as a specific, mandatory option for fulfilling the social studies credit requirement, while maintaining other existing subject requirements. This change applies to all Texas public school districts offering grades K-12.

Maddy summaryHB 505 requires Texas state and local officials to issue certified birth records, driver's licenses, or ID certificates to homeless individuals without fees. It defines "homeless individual" as someone lacking a fixed nighttime residence or staying in certain shelters, excluding those in correctional facilities. The bill mandates that the state health department create a verification process using letters from shelters, housing programs, or law enforcement - banning the requirement for a physical address. This directly affects homeless Texans who need official identification to access services like housing, healthcare, or employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Texas local governments to enter contracts with other local governments, the state, or the federal government for joint water research or planning activities. It clarifies that existing authority for such interlocal agreements now explicitly covers water resource-related projects. The bill does not create new funding or obligations but formally authorizes these collaborations within state law. It directly affects local governments seeking to coordinate water management efforts with other entities.

Maddy summaryHB 3807 creates a priority for children of child-care workers on local workforce boards' waiting lists for child-care services. Child-care workers whose children receive this priority must continue working in the field until their child is placed in care (one year after the priority date). Local workforce boards must implement this priority, and if a worker leaves before the one-year period, the commission may end child-care services for the child. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.