Rep. Shelby Slawson

Maddy summaryHB 703 strengthens the secretary of state's authority to enforce election laws by amending Section 31.005 and adding new provisions to Chapter 34 of the Election Code. It creates "state election marshals" who must be licensed peace officers with election law training, appointed by the secretary of state to investigate alleged election code violations in each Department of Public Safety region. These marshals will report to the secretary of state and have powers similar to state inspectors. The bill directly affects election administrators and officials who manage electoral processes, requiring them to correct violations that impede voting rights, delay elections without authority, or breach election code provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 515 requires Texas public school districts to adopt written policies banning student use of personal electronic devices (like smartphones) during school hours. Students must store devices in lockable containers provided by the district, with exceptions for medical needs requiring written documentation from a healthcare provider. Districts must also report on policy effectiveness to the Texas Education Agency, including impacts on student behavior, mental health, and feedback from students and staff. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 375 aims to limit annual increases in the appraised value of real property for property tax calculations. The bill would directly affect property owners whose assessed values are subject to annual reassessment under current tax rules. However, without access to the full bill text or specific provisions, the exact mechanisms (such as caps or calculation methods) cannot be described. The bill was recently referred to the Property Tax Appraisals committee, but no concrete policy details are available in the provided context.

Maddy summaryBased solely on the provided context, a complete summary of HB 354 cannot be generated. The bill title indicates it relates to border safety measures, establishes a "Border Protection Unit," and creates criminal offenses and civil penalties. However, the actual bill text is unavailable in the provided context (stated as "This version is not currently available"), and no specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are described. The summary would require the full bill text to detail concrete policy changes. For accurate details, users should refer to the available PDF version of the bill.

Maddy summaryThe context provided does not include the actual text or detailed provisions of HB 402. While the bill's title indicates it relates to restrictions on foreign entities or aliens purchasing real property, the available information only lists its filing date (2024-11-12), reading date (2025-02-28), and committee referral (Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs). Without the bill text or summary content, a factual description of its provisions, affected parties, or policy mechanisms cannot be provided. The "PDF for content" note confirms the substantive details are unavailable in the current context.

Maddy summaryThe full text of HB 239 is not available in the provided context, only its title and basic status. The title indicates the bill relates to regulations for entering or using private spaces and authorizes civil penalties, but specific provisions, affected parties, or mechanisms cannot be described without the bill text. Recent actions show it was filed in November 2024 and referred to State Affairs in February 2025. Without access to the bill's content, a detailed summary of its policy changes cannot be generated. For accurate details, consult the official bill PDF or legislative database.

Maddy summaryHB 165 establishes a joint interim committee to study replacing revenue lost from eliminating ad valorem taxes (property taxes based on property value). The committee, composed of five House members and five Senators appointed by leadership, will examine alternative tax methods, calculate required rates to maintain revenue, and assess impacts on local governments. It must report findings and recommendations to the legislature by November 2026, including how to address tax disparities if ad valorem taxes are phased out. The bill itself does not eliminate taxes but creates a process for evaluating alternatives. The committee expires January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 162 prohibits Texas state and local entities (including courts, law enforcement, and government agencies) from recognizing, serving, or enforcing "extreme risk protective orders" (orders that temporarily restrict firearm access to prevent harm). The bill creates a criminal offense for anyone who attempts to enforce such an order within Texas, and bans acceptance of federal grants for implementing these orders. It directly affects Texas law enforcement, courts, and government agencies by preventing them from complying with these orders, which are typically issued to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a risk. The bill defines these orders as court-issued directives not based on criminal charges, focusing on firearm restrictions for safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution recognizing February 20, 2025, as "Tarleton State University Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It formally honors the university's 125+ year history, recent achievements (including record enrollment and NCAA Division I status), and upcoming initiatives like new campus buildings. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply designates a date for the university to be celebrated at the Capitol. As a procedural resolution, it does not affect any laws or directly impact constituents.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes February 6, 2025, as "Hood County Day" at the Texas Capitol, welcoming a delegation from Hood County to celebrate the county's history and community. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is purely ceremonial. The resolution highlights Hood County's historic downtown, agricultural economy, tourism, and cultural venues like the Granbury Opera House. It directly involves Hood County residents attending the Capitol event on that date.