Rep. Penny Morales Shaw

Maddy summaryHB 2217 creates a state grant program to help law enforcement agencies purchase and install bullet-resistant components on vehicles used by peace officers. It directly affects state and local law enforcement agencies (including county and city police departments) by providing funding for bullet-resistant windshields, side windows, rear windows, and door panels. The program requires the Criminal Justice Division to set eligibility rules, application procedures, and grant amounts, while agencies must submit proof of installation after using funds. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and focuses solely on funding vehicle safety upgrades for officers.

Maddy summaryHB 42 modifies how Texas allocates annual state funds to public universities and colleges by establishing a new formula based on space deficit, facilities condition, institutional complexity, and a separate allocation for the Texas State Technical College System. It specifies exact funding amounts for institutions like the University of North Texas ($65 million), Texas State University ($58 million), and Lamar University ($20 million) for the 2026 fiscal year. The bill changes the method of distributing constitutional appropriations from previous formulas to these new criteria and amounts. Signed into law on June 20, 2025, it takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1234 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to provide applicants with written notice of a potential denial and a 30-day period to submit additional information before denying a handgun carry license application when a medical advisory board has indicated the applicant may be unable to exercise sound judgment regarding handgun use and storage. The bill applies only to applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, and directly affects individuals whose applications are flagged by the medical advisory board under the Health and Safety Code. Key provisions include mandating the department to forward applicant materials to the full medical advisory board for review and requiring the board to submit written reports on the applicant's judgment before the department makes a final licensing decision.

Maddy summaryHB 1973 requires individuals filing family court cases involving parent-child relationships (like custody or adoption) to submit a certified copy of a child's birth certificate if available. If the birth certificate doesn't list both parents or isn't accessible, courts can request alternative proof from any party and must keep all submitted documents sealed for privacy. The bill exempts child support enforcement agencies (Title IV-D) from submitting birth certificates or related proof in their cases. This law applies to cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, and is now effective after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 824 requires Texas public high schools to include specific civics content in their government curriculum starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates that the State Board of Education adopt standards covering the roles of elected officials (statewide, county, city), Texas voting processes and election laws, eligibility requirements for office, basic parliamentary procedures, and identifying local representatives. This directly affects all Texas public high school students and educators implementing the social studies curriculum. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1422 changes sentencing for certain sex offenses by prohibiting probation or parole for people convicted of 17 specific crimes, including continuous sexual abuse (Penal Code §21.03), sexual assault (§22.011), and trafficking (§20A.02). It applies to offenses involving child victims, aggravated cases, or those with prior sex offense convictions. The law removes eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, or parole, requiring full prison sentences for these offenses. This takes effect September 1, 2025, following gubernatorial approval on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas law enforcement agencies to report missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children within two hours of receiving a report. The law mandates that agencies immediately begin investigations and enter detailed information about the child and any suspected abductor into multiple national and state databases. Police must also electronically share case details with other law enforcement agencies within 200 miles and inform families that their information has been submitted to these systems. These requirements apply to all law enforcement agencies in Texas regardless of where the child went missing. The bill repeals a duplicate provision to avoid redundancy in existing statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas to collect de-identified data on veteran deaths from death certificates and submit it to the Texas Veterans Commission. Specifically, it mandates that the state registrar provide details like age, race, cause of death (if suicide or homicide), and occupation, but not medical history unless available. The commission must then produce annual reports by December 1 each year, containing aggregated data, analysis, and policy recommendations for veterans' affairs committees. The first report is due December 1, 2027, with annual reports starting in 2026. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2024 prohibits the marketing, advertising, selling, or offering for sale of e-cigarette products that use cartoon characters targeting minors, mimic products marketed to children (like school supplies or candy), resemble food items, include celebrity imagery, or are shaped like everyday items (e.g., highlighters, headphones, or toys). It also bans e-cigarette products manufactured in China. The law creates criminal penalties for violations and applies to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. This bill directly affects e-cigarette manufacturers, retailers, and marketers operating in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 1313 prohibits tobacco retailers from using specific signs, logos, or designs in advertising or marketing cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or tobacco products. It bans elements like cartoon characters targeting minors, copied trademarks of youth-focused products, symbols marketed to children, celebrity images, and designs resembling candy or juice. Retailers violating this law face a Class B misdemeanor charge. The law applies directly to businesses selling tobacco products and takes effect September 1, 2025.