Rep. Penny Morales Shaw

Maddy summaryHB 2989 renames the "Chambers County Improvement District No. 1" to the "Cedar Port Navigation and Improvement District" in Texas law. The bill updates all references to the district's name in the Special District Local Laws Code, including its chapter heading, definition, and legal description. It does not alter the district's existing powers, responsibilities, or operational authority - only changing its official name. The district, serving Chambers County, continues to function under the same legal framework and governance structure. This is a purely administrative name change with no new policy provisions or financial impacts.

Maddy summaryHB 267 amends Texas Penal Code sections 43.24 and 43.25 to add specific affirmative defenses for defendants accused of distributing obscene or harmful material involving children. It allows defenses if the conduct was for judicial, law enforcement, or legislative purposes (Section 43.24(c)), or if the defendant was a spouse, acting for educational/medical purposes, or within two years of the child’s age (Section 43.25(f)). The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change existing criminal penalties. As of May 2025, the bill remains pending in the legislature after being postponed and laid on the table.

Maddy summaryHB 3782 updates Texas law about which newspapers can publish official government notices. It allows governmental entities (like cities or counties) to use qualified digital newspapers instead of traditional print papers, provided the digital outlet meets six specific criteria: has a verified subscriber count, has operated for at least three years, employs local staff, covers local events, provides general-interest news for the community, and updates weekly. The bill maintains existing print newspaper requirements but adds this digital option to increase accessibility. It does not change the core purpose of public notice publication but expands acceptable methods under strict standards. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed by a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summaryHB 1764 allows certified public accountants (CPAs) licensed in other states to practice in Texas without obtaining a Texas license if their home state's requirements are comparable to Texas standards or if they meet specific education and experience criteria. To qualify, out-of-state CPAs must have passed the uniform CPA exam, completed 150 semester hours in accounting (or equivalent), and have 1-2 years of relevant work experience depending on their educational path. The bill updates Texas law to formalize these standards, requiring verification through NASBA or direct compliance, and maintains existing privileges for qualifying out-of-state CPAs through 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3756 amends Texas' Alcoholic Beverage Code to allow certain nonresident sellers with winery permits to operate under specific conditions. It creates an exception for nonresident sellers holding a winery permit first issued on or before May 1, 2010, for wineries located in municipalities with populations between 130,000-150,000 within a county of 2-3 million people. The bill explicitly prohibits these permit holders from selling wine to the winery permit holder they serve. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects nonresident alcohol sellers operating in qualifying Texas communities with existing winery permits.

Maddy summaryHB 2954 requires Texas navigation districts to cover all costs when relocating or removing dredged material (such as sediment from waterway maintenance) under their authority. Districts must either pay for the relocation/removal themselves or perform the work directly, covering all expenses after subtracting any value from salvaged material. This directly affects navigation districts managing waterways and property owners impacted by dredging activities. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summaryHB 3915 expands the types of projects eligible for state flood infrastructure funding by revising the definition of "flood project" in the Water Code. It explicitly includes planning/design work, regulatory approval efforts, structural infrastructure construction, nature-based nonstructural projects (like natural flood barriers), and multi-purpose projects that both manage floodwater and create new water supply sources. This change directly affects local governments and communities seeking financial assistance for flood control initiatives. The bill, pending passage, would take effect September 1, 2025, if approved.

Maddy summaryHB 3352 requires Texas driver education and driving safety courses to include specific information about construction and maintenance work zones. The bill mandates that curricula cover the dangers of violating traffic laws in these zones and the penalties under Transportation Code Section 542.404 for such violations. The Texas Education Agency must adopt rules by May 1, 2026, with all courses taught after September 1, 2026, including this content. This affects all driver education programs in Texas, directly targeting new driver training curriculum.

Maddy summaryHB 5333 establishes the STEM Excellence Graduate Fellowship Program to provide merit-based scholarships for high-achieving doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields at Texas public research institutions. The program, administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board using state funds, awards fellowships to eligible U.S. citizen students who meet institutional merit criteria and pass background checks. It aims to retain top STEM talent at Texas' tier one and tier two research universities to support the state's economic growth goals. The bill defines eligibility requirements, including enrollment in a STEM doctoral program and institutional assessment of academic achievement.

Maddy summaryHB 1576 establishes a state grant program to help single-family homeowners retrofit properties to better withstand hurricanes and windstorms. The program provides funds for eligible homeowners (specifically those owning a homestead residence, including HUD-code manufactured homes in wind zone III) to meet specific safety standards like the Institute for Business and Home Safety's "fortified home" guidelines. Grants must be used solely for approved retrofitting work, with projects requiring local permits and inspections to comply with building codes. The bill clarifies the state will not fund retrofits as an entitlement, and the Insurance Commissioner will administer the program through rules and contracts.