Rep. Valoree Swanson

Maddy summaryHB 1476 would add a "None of the above" option to Texas ballots, allowing voters to select this choice instead of voting for any candidate in a race. This option would appear on all ballots for every office, and selecting it would not count toward determining a winner in any election. The bill requires the secretary of state to design how this option appears and how voters can mark it, including adding it to ballot instructions. The change would take effect on September 1, 2025, if enacted.

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 1497 is not currently available in the provided context, only the title and basic action timeline are accessible. The title indicates it relates to the placement of a nativity scene on Capitol grounds, but without the full text, specific provisions or policy changes cannot be described. The bill was recently filed and referred to the Culture, Recreation & Tourism committee, but no concrete details about its requirements or affected parties are provided. For an accurate summary, the official bill text or PDF would be needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows parents to transfer their child to another public or private school if they believe the child is being sexually groomed, with state education funding following the child to the new school. It defines sexual grooming as efforts to normalize inappropriate sexual relationships between adults and children or to desensitize children to sexual experiences. The bill requires the state to create rules for accredited private schools participating in the program, while prohibiting the use of federal funds for this purpose. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Texas public school districts from using state funds to purchase or adopt instructional materials containing obscene or harmful content, or that appear on a state-maintained list of rejected materials. It requires schools to avoid all instructional materials - both traditional and open educational resources - listed as rejected by the State Board of Education. School districts may use local funds for materials not on the rejected list, but state funds remain restricted. The law applies to the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1485 would replace certain school district property taxes with a new 6.72% state and local value-added tax (VAT) on business sales. The bill exempts small businesses, government entities, and schools from paying the tax, while excluding financial services, employment, and other specified transactions. Businesses would pay the VAT based on the difference between taxes they collect (output tax) and taxes they pay on purchases (input tax). This reform aims to shift school funding responsibility from local property taxes to a broader business-based tax system.

Maddy summaryThe bill HB 1377 (title: "Relating to the jurisdiction of certain international organizations") lacks available text in the provided context. The bill's content is marked as "not currently available" with a note to refer to a PDF, which isn't accessible here. Recent actions show it was filed in November 2024 and referred to the State Affairs committee in March 2025. Without the actual bill language, no substantive summary of its provisions, affected parties, or policy mechanisms can be provided.

Maddy summaryHB 1468 requires certain healthcare facilities to accept vaccine exemptions based on "reasons of conscience, including religious belief" for individuals covered under the facility's vaccine preventable disease policy. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to mandate that facilities cannot reject such exemptions for any reason. This directly affects patients seeking exemptions from required vaccines at participating healthcare facilities. The key provision changes the policy requirement from optional ("may") to mandatory ("shall"), ensuring facilities must accommodate these exemptions. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2025, unless approved for immediate effect by a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending the Texas Constitution to explicitly protect the right of individuals to produce meat and meat food products naturally derived from livestock as part of ranching activities. It would add language to Article I, Section 36(a) guaranteeing this right for property owners or lessees engaged in ranching. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election, where voters would decide on the proposition titled "The constitutional amendment protecting the right to produce meat and meat food products naturally derived from livestock." It directly affects Texas ranchers and livestock producers by seeking constitutional protection for their current meat production practices.

Maddy summaryHJR 92 proposes adding a new section to the Texas Constitution that would establish a parent's right to direct their child's education in any manner they choose, using funds available to them. This amendment would directly affect all Texas parents and students by granting parents legal authority over educational decisions, including curriculum and teaching methods. The bill includes a presumption that parents act in their child's best interest and requires voter approval via a November 2025 ballot measure. If approved, it would become part of the Texas Constitution, changing how education decisions are structured for minors.

Maddy summaryThis Texas constitutional amendment proposal would guarantee individuals the right to refuse vaccinations without facing restrictions on employment, school attendance, business access, or government services. If approved by voters in November 2025, it would add a new constitutional provision stating vaccination status cannot be required for these activities. The amendment would apply statewide to all residents and government interactions. It is currently pending in the State Affairs committee after being introduced in 2024.