Rep. Valoree Swanson

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 2246) appears to be a procedural measure focused solely on standardizing the statutory terminology used to refer to a specific body of water. The bill text is not currently available in the provided context, with only a placeholder note indicating it "is coming soon." No concrete policy changes, affected parties, or key mechanisms are described in the available information. Since the bill's content is inaccessible, a factual summary cannot be provided at this time.

Maddy summaryHB 1774 would repeal an existing legal defense that currently allows individuals to avoid criminal charges for selling, distributing, or displaying harmful material to minors. This change means defendants in such cases would no longer be able to use this specific defense in court. The bill directly affects those who sell, distribute, or display harmful material to minors and the legal process for prosecuting these offenses. The key provision removes the affirmative defense from the law, requiring prosecutors to prove the case without this defense being available.

Maddy summaryHB 1717's full text is not available in the provided context, preventing a detailed summary of its provisions. The bill title indicates it relates to prosecuting criminal offenses involving sexually explicit visual material with children, but specific mechanisms or affected parties cannot be described without the bill's content. Recent actions show it was filed in December 2024 and referred to the Criminal Jurisprudence committee in March 2025. For an accurate summary of its policy changes, please consult the official bill document or PDF.

Maddy summaryHB 2030 amends Texas Penal Code sections 43.24, 43.25, and 43.26 to add specific affirmative defenses for certain criminal offenses involving material or conduct that could be considered obscene or harmful to children. It establishes three key defenses: (1) conduct with scientific, educational, governmental, or similar justification; (2) when the defendant is the child’s spouse, engaging in conduct for medical/educational purposes, or being no more than two years older; and (3) judicial or law enforcement purposes. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, meaning prior offenses remain under older legal standards. This bill directly affects defendants facing prosecution under these specific sections of the Penal Code.

Maddy summaryHB 1944 adds a new exemption to Texas' Election Code, protecting peace officers and prosecutors who investigate election offenses. The bill states that actions taken by these officials during an official investigation - when authorized by their agency and conducted in furtherance of the investigation - will not be considered violations under the Election Code. This applies specifically to conduct related to investigating election-related violations. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1806 prohibits Texas governmental entities (like cities, counties, or state agencies) from using public funds to support abortion-related services. It specifically bans taxpayer money from covering costs for travel, lodging, childcare, food, or counseling that helps individuals obtain an abortion or access abortion providers. The bill defines "abortion assistance entities" broadly to include groups providing financial aid, travel planning, or abortion-inducing drugs, and "abortion providers" as facilities performing over 50 abortions annually. This law directly affects government agencies and any organization receiving public funds that facilitates abortion access. The bill does not apply to federal programs conflicting with its provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1645 creates a new legal right for individuals injured or killed by crimes committed by people unlawfully present in the U.S. to sue local governments and campus police departments. It allows victims or their representatives to seek damages if those entities violated immigration enforcement policies (specifically Section 752.053) and failed to comply with state law, leading to the perpetrator’s access during the crime. The bill waives sovereign immunity for these lawsuits and permits courts to award attorney fees to the winning party. It applies only to cases arising after its effective date of September 1, 2025. This is a policy change enabling civil lawsuits against local entities for specific immigration-related policy failures.

Maddy summaryHB 1588 requires certain public officials - including school board members, judges, court staff, and attorneys general staff - to complete mandatory training on legal requirements for open meetings. The training must cover meeting procedures, notice rules, quorum requirements, and penalties for noncompliance, with specific content outlined in the bill. Officials must receive a certificate of completion, which they must maintain for public inspection. Training can be provided through regional education centers or approved providers, and at least one course must be available online at no cost.

Maddy summaryHB 1549 bans businesses in Texas from selling, offering for sale, or holding for sale "obscene devices" (as defined in the Penal Code), except for sexually oriented businesses operating under existing local licensing rules. The bill creates a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation for non-compliant businesses and allows county or district attorneys to seek injunctions and recover investigation costs. It directly affects businesses selling such devices, including retailers and vendors, while exempting licensed sexually oriented businesses. Enforcement is handled through civil lawsuits filed by local prosecutors, with penalties applying per violation.

Maddy summaryHB 3 establishes an education savings account program in Texas, allowing families to use state funds for approved educational expenses for children enrolled in public schools. The program, administered by the state comptroller, provides funding for costs like tuition at private schools, curriculum materials, or tutoring, with funds drawn from general revenue appropriations. Eligibility includes any child attending a public school who is not enrolled in a participating private school, with priority given to children with disabilities. The bill defines key terms and sets funding limits based on the previous biennium's allocation or the cost per participating child, creating a new option for families seeking alternatives to traditional public schooling.