Rep. Shelley Luther

Maddy summaryHB 2037 modifies Texas tenant-landlord laws to clarify repair processes and notice requirements for residential and manufactured home tenants. It requires tenants to use independent contractors (listed in local directories or classified ads) for repairs after submitting a "notice of intent to repair," rather than performing repairs themselves or using family, employers, or businesses they own. The bill also adds new provisions allowing landlords and tenants to send required notices via email if they previously communicated that way, and designates property managers as official agents for delivery of such notices. These changes directly affect tenants seeking repairs and landlords handling security deposits and communication.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands criminal penalties for cruelty to nonlivestock animals (such as pets and wildlife) by defining specific prohibited acts, including torture, abandonment, failure to provide care, cruel transport, and causing injury without consent. It creates a legal defense for veterinarians and their assistants acting within their professional duties, shielding them from prosecution for negligence during routine care. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing penalties for cruelty involving livestock animals. This amendment clarifies prosecutable conduct while providing professional protection for veterinary staff.

Maddy summaryHB 1106 amends Texas' Family Code definitions of child abuse and neglect. It explicitly states that a parent or guardian's refusal to affirm a child's gender identity (including using preferred names/pronouns) or sexual orientation does not constitute abuse. The bill also clarifies that neglect includes specific failures like withholding medical care or leaving a child in immediate danger, but the key change is excluding these gender/sexual orientation refusals from abuse definitions. This directly affects parents, guardians, and child welfare systems in Texas by altering what legally qualifies as abuse under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 20 establishes Texas' Applied Sciences Pathway program, allowing high school students to earn both diplomas and industry certificates through school-college partnerships. It requires courses in 20 specific high-wage, high-growth fields like plumbing, welding, IT, and oil/gas exploration, with a focus on successful job placement rates. Partnerships must offer non-duplicative, progressive coursework leading to both diplomas and certificates in these sectors. The program begins for the 2027-2028 school year, with industries reviewed every five years to match labor market needs.

Maddy summarySB 17 restricts certain foreign governments and entities from purchasing or acquiring title to specific types of real property in Texas if such ownership poses a risk to public health, safety, or welfare. It prohibits purchases of agricultural land, commercial, industrial, residential property, mines, minerals, or timber by organizations or governments from "designated countries" (identified by U.S. intelligence as national security risks). Exceptions include U.S. citizens/permanent residents, entities owned by them, homestead properties, and leaseholds under 100 years. The law creates a new Property Code Subchapter H (Sections 5.251-5.254) to implement these restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 3228 requires wind power facility operators (leaseholders) to include specific waste management provisions in their agreements with landowners. The bill mandates that operators must collect, reuse, or recycle reusable components (like turbine blades) and properly dispose of non-recyclable parts - hazardous materials at authorized facilities and non-hazardous waste at approved landfills. It also requires operators to provide financial assurance (e.g., bonds or letters of credit) to cover decommissioning costs. This law applies to wind facilities in Texas and took effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 100 prohibits Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools from using state funds to purchase or adopt instructional materials that contain obscene or harmful content or appear on the State Board of Education's rejected materials list. The bill requires the State Board to issue a 45-day notice before adding materials to the rejected list, allowing time for revisions. It also bans the use of any instructional materials - whether traditional or open education resources - listed as rejected, while permitting local funds for non-rejected materials. This law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and became effective immediately after the governor signed it on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 102 requires Texas public universities to offer early registration for courses and programs to students in military-related programs who are in good standing. Specifically, it mandates this for students enrolled in ROTC programs, cadet corps (including at senior military colleges), or maritime academies. The law, effective for the 2026 spring semester, obligates institutions to provide this early registration opportunity on the same basis as other designated student groups. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will develop rules to implement this requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 33, titled the "Uvalde Strong Act," requires Texas public and charter schools to comply with additional safety and operational requirements related to active shooter incidents and emergencies. It amends the Education Code to mandate adherence to existing rules covering student data systems, criminal background checks, discipline practices, health/safety protocols, bullying prevention, and staff reporting obligations. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools by expanding their compliance obligations under current safety frameworks. It does not create new rules but requires schools to follow more existing provisions related to emergency preparedness and student safety. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 3053 prohibits municipalities and counties in Texas from organizing, sponsoring, or participating in firearm buyback programs. The bill specifically bans local governments from creating programs that aim to remove firearms from circulation, reduce civilian firearm ownership, or allow sales without criminal prosecution concerns. This law directly affects local governments by preventing them from implementing such buyback initiatives. The bill takes effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.