Rep. Penny Morales Shaw

Maddy summaryHB 1988 amends Texas law to regulate when the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) may disclose records about former juvenile justice clients. The bill requires that disclosure of personally identifiable information only occurs if the individual is at least 18 years old, has been discharged from commitment, and has provided specific consent for the disclosure. Additionally, the department cannot disclose any information beyond what was consented to or for any purpose other than the agreed-upon reason. This law directly affects former youth in the juvenile justice system who seek to share their records, while imposing new restrictions on TJJD's disclosure practices.

Maddy summaryHB 3113 requires counties in Texas that manually count paper ballots to use ballots designed to be scanned by automatic tabulating equipment. This affects counties currently conducting hand counts of paper ballots, mandating they adopt scannable ballot formats by September 1, 2025. The bill specifies that ballots must be compatible with existing election equipment to ensure accurate processing during elections.

Maddy summaryHB 164 increases fines for violations of migrant housing regulations from $50 to $200 per day per person. It allows qualifying migrant agricultural workers (those living in the facility and not on H-2A visas) to sue for penalties, in addition to county attorneys or the state. The bill also prevents duplicate enforcement actions by setting specific timing rules for lawsuits. This directly affects housing facility operators and eligible workers who face violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 1773 allows certain Texas school districts to appoint a nonvoting student trustee to their board of trustees. This position enables students to attend board meetings, participate in discussions, and provide student perspectives, but the student trustee cannot vote or count toward meeting quorums. The bill applies only to school districts not covered by existing rules (Section 11.0511 of the Education Code). It takes effect September 1, 2025, and creates a formal mechanism for student input without altering voting authority.

Maddy summaryHB 1781 establishes the Texas Livestock and Rodeo Education and Continuation Grant Program to provide funding for educational initiatives related to livestock and rodeos. The program is administered by a newly created board appointed by the governor, requiring members to have specific experience in rodeos or county fairs and to represent different regions of Texas. Funding comes from a dedicated fund that can receive state appropriations, gifts, or interest earnings, but cannot be used for general state purposes. This bill directly affects Texas organizations like rodeo associations, county fairs, 4-H programs, and Future Farmers of America (FFA) that may apply for these grants.

Maddy summaryHB 1407 allows counties, cities, and water/sewer districts to jointly operate water and sewer systems with greater financial flexibility. It grants participating public entities the authority to issue bonds, acquire land (including via eminent domain), and share facility costs, while clarifying that these joint agencies are separate political subdivisions. The bill amends Texas Local Government Code sections to define "public utility agency" and specify that these entities can use revenue from service fees to secure bonds, without imposing taxes. This directly affects local governments managing shared water and sewer infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 5008 allows public community colleges, workforce boards, community-based organizations (with college partnerships), and Texas A&M Engineering entities to use the Skills Development Fund for tailored job training programs. It requires that training addresses actual or projected local labor shortages and that wages for trained workers match local averages. The bill specifies that A&M entities must prioritize statewide programs or those not offered by local colleges. This policy directly affects workforce training providers seeking state funding for business-specific training initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 4290 amends Texas Utilities Code to clarify that certain energy facilities - specifically qualifying cogenerators serving digital product manufacturing and co-located desalination plants - do not count as retail electric utilities. The bill defines a qualifying cogenerator as one providing electricity and thermal/steam waste heat to a desalination facility on the same site, while primarily powering digital manufacturing operations. This exemption prevents such facilities from being regulated as retail electric providers under Texas law, streamlining their operations. The change applies to existing facilities that met specific environmental and construction timelines (e.g., pre-1998 permits and construction).

Maddy summaryHB 349 creates legal immunity for people who enter a locked motor vehicle to remove a vulnerable individual (like a child under 7 or someone with a disability) or a domestic animal (like a pet dog or cat) from a car. To qualify for immunity, rescuers must first confirm the vehicle is locked or the person/animal cannot exit safely, reasonably believe immediate harm is occurring, notify law enforcement or 911 before entering (unless they are first responders), use only necessary force, and stay with the person/animal until help arrives. The law specifically protects ordinary citizens - not just police - from civil lawsuits when following these steps. It does not apply to livestock or cases where authorities advise against entry.