Rep. Greg Bonnen

Maddy summarySB 1620 creates a state-funded forensic analyst apprenticeship pilot program to increase Texas' forensic science workforce. The program establishes contracts between the state office, accredited crime laboratories, and academic institutions offering relevant training. It prioritizes long-term retention of forensic analysts by setting eligibility rules for apprentices and sponsoring labs through the Texas Forensic Science Commission. The pilot program, effective September 1, 2025, expires on September 1, 2030, and directly affects forensic analysts in training, crime labs, and participating educational institutions.

Maddy summarySB 30 modifies Texas law governing health care damage claims in civil lawsuits. It requires parties challenging the reasonableness or necessity of health care charges to serve written notice on opponents by specific deadlines (120 days after a defendant's answer, or by expert witness designation dates). The bill specifies that standard affidavits stating charges were reasonable or services necessary lose evidentiary weight if notice is served, though they may still verify record authenticity. It also clarifies such affidavits cannot support claims about the cause of injury. This directly affects plaintiffs and defendants in medical malpractice or billing disputes.

Maddy summarySB 1018 changes how Texas distributes revenue from state traffic fines collected by the comptroller. It shifts the allocation from 70% to the general revenue fund and 30% to trauma/emergency medical services (previously 70/30) to a 50/50 split. The bill also sets a $250 million annual cap for the general fund portion; any excess revenue must go to the Texas mobility fund. This applies only to fines collected on or after September 1, 2025, and directly affects state budget allocations for emergency services and transportation infrastructure.

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 summaryHB 5294 requires Texas medical schools to ensure at least half of their required coursework uses letter grades (A-F) or equivalent tiered systems for assessment. It also mandates that medical schools consider standardized test scores in admissions (focusing on science and medical knowledge) but prohibits using them as the sole admission factor. Additionally, medical schools must notify the legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before changing admission or academic standards, providing the proposed standards, rationale, and effective date. The bill directly affects medical schools and applicants seeking medical degrees in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 37 requires hospitals with maternal care designations to provide bereavement counseling options and perinatal bereavement devices (which delay tissue deterioration for up to 72 hours after pregnancy loss or infant death) to families following intrauterine fetal demise, neonatal death, or stillbirth. The Texas Department of State Health Services must establish a perinatal bereavement care initiative offering hospitals training for staff on compassionate communication and resources like devices with maintenance support. This law directly affects designated hospitals and families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss in Texas. The initiative aims to improve access to supportive care during this difficult time, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 21 amends Texas Local Government Code provisions affecting housing finance corporations that develop or manage low- and moderate-income housing. It defines qualifying residential developments as those where at least 90% of units are intended for households with adjusted gross income below state-defined moderate income levels. The bill also requires these corporations to follow open meetings and public records laws (Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code) and restricts their development to areas within the boundaries of their sponsoring local governments - unless approved by those governing bodies. These changes clarify operational rules and transparency requirements for housing finance corporations serving low- and moderate-income residents.

Maddy summaryHB 30 modifies how Texas local taxing units (like counties and cities, excluding school districts) calculate property tax rates after a declared disaster. If a disaster is officially recognized by the governor or president and at least one property owner receives a tax exemption, the taxing unit can use a new "disaster relief rate" calculation. This rate divides the unit's documented disaster costs (for debris removal and essential assistance) by the current taxable property value. The new calculation method applies until either property values exceed their pre-disaster level or three years after the disaster, whichever comes first.

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.)