Rep. Valoree Swanson

Maddy summaryHB 1133 prevents property owners' associations (POAs) from banning certified swim instruction in private pools on a homeowner's or resident's property. The bill defines "certified swim instruction" as lessons taught by an instructor certified by the American Red Cross, YMCA, or a similar organization using their established standards. While POAs cannot prohibit this instruction, they may impose specific conditions: lessons must occur in the rear yard (not visible from the street), between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., limit groups to four people, and require access to a permanent restroom connected to water and sewer. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryBased solely on the provided context, this bill's title indicates it relates to displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools, but the actual bill text is unavailable (noted as "not currently available" with a PDF reference). The bill was filed on November 12, 2024, and referred to the Public Education committee on March 7, 2025. No specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are described in the available information. Without access to the full bill text or summary details, a substantive policy summary cannot be provided.

Maddy summaryHB 1076 addresses unauthorized activities on real property, creating new criminal offenses for unauthorized entry, occupancy, or advertising of property for sale/rent. It increases penalties for these violations and authorizes a fee related to enforcement actions. The bill directly affects property owners, tenants, and individuals involved in real estate transactions by establishing clearer legal consequences for unauthorized property use. Key provisions include criminalizing specific unauthorized activities (like occupying a dwelling without permission) and adding financial mechanisms for enforcement. This legislation aims to strengthen property rights protections through defined penalties and administrative fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1137 requires Texas school board trustees to complete annual training on parental rights in education and mandates the Texas Education Agency to create a publicly accessible handbook explaining these rights. The handbook must be written in plain language, updated yearly, and available online in a searchable format. This bill directly affects school board members (who must complete the training) and parents (who gain clearer access to their educational rights). Key deadlines include developing the training by January 1, 2026, and creating the handbook by the same date.

Maddy summaryHB 1049 would establish a Texas-issued currency backed by physical gold and silver held in a state-managed depository. It authorizes the comptroller to create this currency, representing specific fractions of a troy ounce of gold or silver, and requires it to function as legal tender for debt payments. The bill mandates electronic transfer capabilities for the currency and designates the Texas Bullion Depository as the exclusive issuer. It also authorizes a fee to cover administrative costs, though specific fee amounts are not detailed in the provided text. This bill is procedural in nature, creating a new currency framework rather than altering existing laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1158 requires Texas public schools to obtain written parental consent before providing human sexuality instruction to students. The bill mandates that schools give parents a separate, dedicated notice at least 14 days before such instruction begins, prohibiting bundling this request with other consent forms. It directly affects students in public schools receiving human sexuality education and their parents, who must provide written approval. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 911 designates June 24 as "Celebration of Life Day," adding it as a state holiday in Texas. The bill amends the Government Code to include this date in the list of official state holidays, alongside existing observances like Texas Independence Day and San Jacinto Day. This change affects state government operations, requiring agencies to close on June 24 each year starting September 1, 2025. The bill does not alter other holiday provisions or provide additional funding.

Maddy summaryHB 750 removes community supervision and parole eligibility for individuals convicted of certain repeat offenses related to substance abuse or serious sexual crimes. It specifically applies to offenders with prior convictions for crimes like drug trafficking under Chapter 481, sexual assault, trafficking of persons, or indecency with a child. The bill affects only offenses committed on or after its effective date, meaning past convictions remain governed by prior law. This policy change prevents these individuals from qualifying for early release options under current community supervision and parole rules.

Maddy summaryHB 802 requires local governments (cities and counties) managing coastal beaches to submit proposed access and use plans to the Texas General Land Office commissioner for review. The commissioner must approve, partially approve, or deny plans within 90 days, providing specific written objections and suggested changes for denials or partial approvals. If partially approved, local governments can resubmit only the unapproved portions for further review under revised rules. This bill streamlines the approval process by adding clear timelines, requiring detailed feedback on denials, and establishing a formal mechanism for partial approvals under Section 61.0151 of the Natural Resources Code.

Maddy summaryHB 761 waives hunting and fishing license fees for honorably discharged veterans in Texas. It directly affects veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces and received an honorable discharge, making these licenses free for them. The bill amends state law to require the Parks and Wildlife Commission to waive fees for veterans under specific sections of the code, covering both individual licenses and combination hunting/fishing licenses. This change applies only to licenses issued on or after September 1, 2025, with no refunds for licenses purchased before that date.