Rep. Penny Morales Shaw

Maddy summaryHB 502 expands confidentiality protections for victims of specific offenses by redefining "victim" in Texas law to include individuals harmed by stalking, secret filming (invasive visual recording), or certain sexual assaults (indecent assault). The bill ensures that identifying information about these victims - such as names, addresses, or photos - cannot be disclosed publicly without consent, directly affecting those who experience these crimes. Key provisions clarify that the confidentiality rules apply to victims of these offenses and to anyone involved in the same criminal incident. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HCR 19) is a concurrent resolution naming a new building in the Texas Capitol Complex. It directs the Texas Facilities Commission to name the structure at the northwest corner of Congress Avenue and 15th Street the "Irma Rangel Building." The resolution honors Irma Rangel, a pioneering Texas legislator who was the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas Legislature (1976) and championed education access, domestic violence services, and opportunities for marginalized communities. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new policy or affect any specific group beyond recognizing her legacy.

Maddy summaryHB 787 allows Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) ferry employees to restart a vehicle battery for passengers traveling on the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry, at the driver’s request. It requires ferry staff to confirm no hazardous gas is present before attempting a restart and mandates TxDOT to train employees and provide safety equipment for detecting gas and restarting batteries. TxDOT may charge a fee to cover costs, set at a reasonable amount. The bill directly affects vehicle operators using this specific ferry route who experience dead batteries during transport. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, after TxDOT adopts necessary rules by December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3272 makes it a criminal offense to operate an unmanned aircraft (drone) in specific ways over Texas spaceports. It prohibits intentionally flying drones over spaceports, causing drones to contact spaceport property or personnel, or interfering with spaceport operations. The law defines "spaceport" as facilities licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration for spacecraft launches, landings, or recovery. Exemptions include government entities, spaceport owners/operators, and those with prior written authorization from spaceport operators or the FAA.

Maddy summaryHB 36, the Sharon Radebaugh Family Violence Protection Act, requires courts to mandate GPS tracking devices for high-risk defendants charged with family violence offenses as a condition of bond. The bill also establishes that defendants may be charged a fee to cover the cost of the GPS monitoring system and requires courts to collect data on bond conditions in family violence and certain other criminal cases. This directly affects defendants facing family violence charges (who may wear GPS devices), victims (who may receive related resources), and courts (which must track bond conditions). The law aims to enhance victim safety through stricter offender monitoring and data collection, without specifying new victim services beyond the data collection requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 1349 requires condominium associations with at least 60 units or those using a management company to post their governing documents (like declarations and bylaws) on a publicly accessible website. It defines "management company" and mandates that associations record detailed management certificates with the county, including the website address where documents are posted. Associations must update these certificates within 30 days of any changes to the recorded information. The bill directly affects larger condo associations and their management companies by increasing transparency about their governing documents and operational details.

Maddy summaryHB 3014 creates a new criminal offense for fraudulent use, possession, or tampering with gift cards or their redemption information in Texas. It prohibits unauthorized possession of gift cards or redemption codes, altering gift cards, or using stolen or modified cards with knowledge of the fraud. Penalties range from Class C misdemeanors (under $100 value) to first-degree felonies ($300,000+ value), based on the card's monetary value. The law directly targets individuals committing gift card fraud, while protecting cardholders, issuers, and sellers from financial harm.

Maddy summaryHB 1718 amends Texas law to clarify the definition of "closing" for private activity bonds, specifically affecting developers and issuers of these bonds. The bill allows "closing" to include delivery of bonds in exchange for at least 10% of the required payment for qualified residential rental project bonds, enabling incremental funding. It also explicitly excludes bond deliveries where proceeds depend on credit enhancement. This change streamlines bond issuance processes for housing projects without altering tax treatment or funding requirements. The bill takes effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote or September 1, 2025, if not.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 945), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally honors Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025, recognizing his life, leadership as the first Latin American pope, and global efforts to serve the vulnerable. The resolution memorializes his legacy, including his work during Argentina's economic crisis, interfaith initiatives, and pandemic-era outreach. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express collective remembrance.

Maddy summaryHB 307 updates Texas law to increase credit toward fines and costs for misdemeanor defendants who cannot pay immediately. It raises the daily credit rate from $100 to $150 for work in county jail programs, confinement, or community service (8 hours = $150 credit). Defendants can apply this earned credit toward their remaining fine balance instead of paying the full amount. This directly affects low-income misdemeanor offenders facing financial barriers to court-ordered payments.