Rep. Will Metcalf

Maddy summaryHB 4 restricts Texas public school districts and campuses from obtaining exemptions or waivers for specific requirements, including graduation standards, school accountability measures under Chapters 39 and 39A, health and safety rules, and programs for special education and bilingual students. The bill explicitly prohibits waivers for federal mandates, essential knowledge/skills, class size limits (except as allowed by law), extracurricular activities, and other key areas listed in the legislation. It also changes the appeal process for challenges to the commissioner's decisions, requiring appeals to be filed in Travis County district court with specific procedural steps. This bill directly affects school districts, the Texas Education Agency, and individuals seeking to challenge educational decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 111 amends Texas' public information law (Government Code §552.003) to clarify which entities must disclose information under the law. It specifically adds 15 new categories of "governmental bodies," including school district boards, county boards of education, water service nonprofits, workforce development boards, and entities managing the Alamo. These newly defined entities must now disclose information they hold in their possession, custody, or control. The bill directly affects local governments, school districts, and specific service providers receiving public funds, requiring them to comply with public records disclosure requests.

Maddy summarySB 618 prohibits public and election officials from altering election procedures without legal authorization. If officials fail to comply after being notified by the Secretary of State, they face escalating daily fines: $1,000 per day for days 3-7 and $5,000 per day after day 7. The bill requires officials to immediately cease non-compliant actions and provides a process for the Secretary of State to investigate violations and refer cases to the Attorney General. These fines, collected into the general revenue fund, directly affect election officials who change procedures without proper legal approval.

Maddy summaryHCR 59 is a ceremonial resolution designating April as "Promise Month" in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it is solely a symbolic recognition intended to honor religious and historical perspectives on promises. The resolution references biblical principles and the founding of the U.S. on "Biblical principles," but the designation itself has no legal or policy impact on residents or state operations. This is a procedural, commemorative resolution with no concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 3526 requires local governments in Texas to report bond election details and bond issuance information to the Bond Review Board. The bill mandates a publicly searchable online database showing bond principal amounts, estimated interest, total repayment costs, and annual debt service requirements for all local government bonds. Local governments must submit pre-election reports (20 days before voting) and post-election reports (20 days after voting) detailing bond propositions, costs, and election results. This affects all cities, counties, and school districts issuing bonds, making bond financial data accessible to the public starting September 1, 2025. The law aims to increase transparency around local bond financing and voter decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1151 amends Texas law to clarify that specific parental actions cannot be used as evidence for terminating a parent-child relationship. The bill explicitly states that factors like homeschooling, economic hardship, religiously-based medical decisions (such as declining vaccines), or seeking multiple medical opinions do not constitute clear and convincing evidence for termination. It also updates the definition of "neglect" to require proof of "blatant disregard" for consequences causing immediate harm or danger to a child. This change directly affects parents, children, and the Department of Family and Protective Services in child welfare cases by setting clearer boundaries for when parental rights may be terminated.

Maddy summarySB 1666 shortens the time for unclaimed restitution payments from five to three years. If a victim entitled to restitution doesn’t claim payment within three years of the clerk receiving the first payment, or if the clerk can’t locate the victim for three years after the last payment, unclaimed funds will be transferred to the compensation fund for crime victims. The bill requires the state department to provide clerks with the victim’s last known address and a detailed payment history (including dates, amounts, and addresses sent to), which must remain confidential. These changes streamline handling of unclaimed funds while protecting victim privacy and ensuring timely transfers to the compensation fund.

Maddy summaryHB 796 would allow the Texas legislature to declare certain federal laws, executive orders, or agency rules unconstitutional if they infringe on state powers under the Tenth Amendment or limit Texas's ability to protect public health, safety, or welfare. The bill creates a process where the legislature could pass a concurrent resolution to declare a federal directive unconstitutional and then prohibit state and local government employees from enforcing it. This would directly affect most state and local officials, including county, city, school district, and charter school employees, but exclude the lieutenant governor, legislators, and their staff. The bill does not create new penalties but establishes a formal legislative mechanism to block state enforcement of federal actions deemed unconstitutional by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 3225 requires municipal public libraries in Texas to restrict minors (under 18) from accessing sexually explicit materials in sections designated for younger audiences. Libraries must remove such materials from "minor's sections" and obtain legal guardian consent before allowing minors to check out or view these materials. The bill imposes civil penalties for violations, including fines. It directly affects municipal public libraries, minors, and their guardians by changing how libraries manage content access in designated youth areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas judges to deny bail to individuals classified as "illegal aliens" charged with felony offenses, if a judge determines probable cause exists. It defines "illegal alien" as someone who entered the U.S. without inspection or violated nonimmigrant visa terms. The amendment would automatically deny bail pending trial for such individuals, without requiring additional proof of flight risk or danger. If approved by voters in 2025, it would become part of the Texas Constitution. (Note: This is a procedural proposal requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.)