Rep. Shelby Slawson

Maddy summaryHB 2070 amends Texas Family Code Section 261.002 to require a court finding of abuse or neglect before adding someone to the central child abuse registry. Currently, the Department of Family and Protective Services can add names based on their own findings, but this bill mandates a final court order in a civil, criminal, or juvenile case first. The change applies only to findings made on or after September 1, 2025, with prior cases governed by previous law. This directly affects individuals potentially added to the registry and the Department’s process for doing so.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to exempt up to $125,000 of the market value of business-used tangible personal property (like equipment or vehicles) from property tax. It would directly affect business owners who hold such property for income generation, such as small business operators or farmers. The amendment would revise the state constitution to authorize this specific exemption amount, replacing the current exemption structure. If approved by voters in November 2025, this would become a permanent constitutional provision enabling future legislation to implement the tax break. The bill is now headed to the November ballot after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summarySB 870 allows uniformed school marshals in Texas public schools, charter schools, private schools, and public junior colleges to openly carry handguns on school premises when wearing a uniform identifying them as marshals. The bill amends existing law to replace previous restrictions on "concealed" carry with this open-carry option, while maintaining requirements that marshals must follow written school board regulations and use only frangible duty ammunition approved by Texas law enforcement. It applies to all school marshals appointed by governing bodies and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year. The bill does not change who can serve as a school marshal or alter the requirement for firearms to be stored securely when not in use.

Maddy summaryHB 2153 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 377 in Hood and Johnson Counties as the "Bob Cornett Parkway." This portion, under construction as of September 1, 2024, serves as a relief route around Cresson. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install signage marking the parkway at both ends and along the route, without altering existing highway functions or affecting residents or policies. It is a naming resolution with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2333 removes time limits for prosecuting felony offenses related to elections in Texas, meaning these crimes can be prosecuted without a deadline. The bill amends Article 12.01 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to include election-related felonies under the list of offenses with no statute of limitations. This directly affects individuals accused of election-related crimes, such as fraud or tampering, by ensuring they can be prosecuted regardless of when the offense occurred. The change applies to any felony offense connected to an election conducted in Texas, as specified in the bill's title.

Maddy summaryHB 4611 streamlines the process for individuals to register in Texas' voluntary adoption registries. It requires applicants to submit detailed personal information (including birth details, contact information, and consent preferences) through an online portal, replacing paper applications. The bill directly affects birth parents, adoptees, and biological siblings seeking to connect through the registry by standardizing application requirements and adding an online submission option. Key provisions include mandatory identity verification, fee waiver options, and clear statements about disclosure consent and registration duration (99 years or a shorter term). The bill does not change adoption laws but improves registry accessibility and administrative efficiency.

Maddy summaryHB 370 amends Texas law to restrict eligibility for funding from the Events Trust Fund. It prohibits funding for events that allow biological males to compete in sports designated for female athletes. The bill defines "biological male" using official birth certificates or government records stating biological sex, requiring statements entered near birth or corrected for clerical errors. This applies only to events seeking trust fund support and does not affect biological males serving as coaches or support staff. The policy change directly affects sports events applying for state funding under the Events Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryHJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing state taxes on property transferred after someone's death, including estate, inheritance, or gift taxes. It specifically prevents new taxes on these transfers or increases to existing taxes that were in place before January 1, 2025. Exceptions include taxes on motor vehicle gifts, certain property taxes (ad valorem), and taxes already authorized under existing law. This amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election and would affect anyone transferring property through wills, inheritances, or gifts after the amendment takes effect.

Maddy summaryHB 3515 regulates parental reunification therapy in custody cases by requiring court orders for such therapy to have both parents' consent. It prohibits courts from mandating therapy that restricts contact with other parents or family members, involves overnight stays together, transfers custody temporarily, uses unsafe transportation, or employs physical force or isolation. Therapy providers must use written contracts detailing their methods, signed by all participants after full disclosure. The bill directly affects courts, therapy providers, and parents in family law cases involving child-parent reunification. The bill is currently pending in committee after being reported favorably on May 8, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1431 defines "cell-cultured protein" as food made by harvesting animal cells and replicating them in a growth medium, then adds it to Texas' prohibited acts under the Health and Safety Code. The bill specifically bans the manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, sale, or offer for sale of cell-cultured protein for human consumption within Texas. This targets companies producing or selling lab-grown meat alternatives, making such activities unlawful under existing food safety prohibitions without creating new regulatory requirements. The bill remains pending after being postponed on May 14, 2025.