Rep. Dade Phelan

Maddy summaryHB 54, titled "Relating to the display of and allowance for non-human behaviors in Texas schools," is a procedural bill that amends school discipline requirements. It mandates that Texas public school districts include specific factors in their student conduct codes, such as self-defense, intent, disability considerations, and homelessness status, when making disciplinary decisions like suspensions or expulsions. The bill requires schools to post these codes prominently and consider these factors in all disciplinary actions. It does not ban specific activities but standardizes how schools evaluate student behavior. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 366 requires political advertisements containing altered media - such as fake videos, audio, or images of candidates created using generative AI - to include a clear disclosure stating the content did not occur in reality. It directly affects political campaigns, advertisers, and groups running election-related ads. The bill mandates that the Texas Election Commission set the format for these disclosures (including font and size), and violations are punishable as a Class A misdemeanor. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 945), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally honors Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025, recognizing his life, leadership as the first Latin American pope, and global efforts to serve the vulnerable. The resolution memorializes his legacy, including his work during Argentina's economic crisis, interfaith initiatives, and pandemic-era outreach. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express collective remembrance.

Maddy summaryHB 4400 allows local governments in Texas to use supplemental environmental projects funded through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for specific clean energy initiatives. It directly affects local governments by permitting them to cover the full cost of purchasing alternative fuel vehicles (like buses and trucks), related heavy equipment, and energy efficiency upgrades for public buildings. Key provisions require TCEQ to approve projects covering entire vehicle/equipment costs (not just cost differences from conventional options) and mandate minimum 5-year contracts renewable for additional 5-year terms. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, aiming to streamline adoption of cleaner transportation and building technologies.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2470 would lower the minimum age to obtain a Texas license to carry a handgun from 21 to 18 years old, directly affecting responsible individuals aged 18-20 who are otherwise eligible under state and federal law. The bill amends Section 411.172(a)(2) of the Government Code to remove the current 21-year requirement, aligning with a federal court ruling that found the prior age limit unconstitutional for this age group. It maintains existing prohibitions, meaning individuals with felony convictions, fugitives, or other disqualifiers would still not qualify. The bill does not change firearm possession rules for those under 18 or alter other eligibility criteria like criminal history.

Maddy summaryHJR 217 proposes a constitutional amendment that would require Texas to first receive federal reimbursement for state border security costs (from September 2015 to present) before implementing a school choice program using state funds. If approved, the state would deposit 50% of the federal reimbursement into a new "Texas education savings fund" to support school choice, while the remaining 50% must fund public education. The bill mandates that the comptroller must certify federal reimbursement before the program can begin, and it requires voter approval by November 2025. This amendment directly affects the state's ability to launch school choice initiatives and ties funding to federal border policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment would allow property owners to prepay their future property taxes to receive a full exemption from annual ad valorem taxes (taxes based on property value) on their entire property. It establishes a "prepaid property tax trust fund" managed by the state comptroller, which would distribute annual payments to cities, counties, and other local governments that lose tax revenue due to the exemption. The fund would be funded by the prepayments themselves, with distributions calculated to reimburse affected local subdivisions for lost revenue. The proposal requires voter approval in the November 2025 election.

Maddy summaryHB 5211 would create a program to help attorneys repay student loans if they work in rural criminal justice roles. It directly affects attorneys employed full-time (or part-time equivalent of 15+ hours weekly) as prosecutors, public defenders, or appointed counsel for indigent defendants in rural counties (population ≤100,000). To qualify, attorneys must hold a Texas law license, have an accredited law degree, and owe eligible student loans (excluding defaulted loans). The program would use state funds to cover loan repayments for qualifying legal professionals serving rural communities.

Maddy summaryHB 5210 allows Texas property owners to pay all future property taxes upfront in a single lump sum, exempting their property from annual ad valorem taxes. Owners submit an enrollment form and pay an amount calculated as the property’s appraised value multiplied by the state tax rate, receiving a certificate that permanently exempts the property from taxes for all future years. This exemption transfers automatically if the property is sold, applies to all real property types (not just homes), and requires additional prepayment for new improvements. The bill creates a new tax relief mechanism without changing existing tax rates or revenue collection processes.