Rep. Matt Shaheen

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 1136) is a ceremonial commendation by the Texas House of Representatives for retired U.S. Navy Commander Everett Alvarez Jr. It honors his service during the Vietnam War, specifically recognizing his capture, eight-year imprisonment as a POW, and receipt of multiple military awards. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely expresses the Texas House's gratitude and extends best wishes to Alvarez. It was adopted by the Texas House on May 15, 2025, as a symbolic gesture.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Texas high school students in 11th or 12th grade to choose between the SAT, ACT, Classic Learning Test (CLT), or a state-designated assessment for college admissions, instead of being limited to a single required test. It directly affects students applying to public universities in Texas by providing flexibility in standardized testing requirements. The policy change requires school districts to offer these options at state cost during specified grade levels, aiming to align testing with college admissions practices.

Maddy summaryHJR 98 is a Texas legislative resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose spending limits on the federal government, reduce federal power over states, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. Texas formally applies to Congress to initiate this process, with the resolution intended as a continuing application until at least 34 states (two-thirds) support the same purpose. This is a procedural request - Texas has no authority to create new laws, but aims to join other states in advancing this constitutional mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 2587 requires Texas hospitals to report costs of providing care to patients without legal immigration status. Hospitals must ask about immigration status during intake (without affecting care) and submit quarterly data on costs and financial impact to a state agency. The agency then compiles an annual report for lawmakers by November 1, detailing total costs and how these expenses affected hospitals. This applies to all Texas hospitals serving patients who were not lawfully present at the time of care, focusing on transparency about uncompensated care expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 3458 bans pet stores from selling dogs or cats, with limited exceptions for animal control agencies and nonprofit adoption organizations that meet specific criteria. These exceptions require organizations to not obtain animals for compensation, breed them, or have ties to breeders or brokers, and pet stores cannot charge fees or claim ownership for adoption showcases. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $500 per day per animal sold. The law applies only to animals obtained by pet stores on or after the effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1837 creates a mandatory training program for Texas law enforcement officers on handling fentanyl-related offenses. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to establish training covering collaboration with prosecutors on fentanyl cases, identifying border-related criminal activity involving Penalty Group 1-B substances (like fentanyl), and safest handling methods for these drugs. It also includes instruction on proper opioid antagonist use (for overdose reversal) and allows the training to count toward officers' required continuing education hours. The program directly affects local peace officers and aims to improve safety and investigative capabilities related to fentanyl trafficking.

Maddy summaryHB 2785 requires Texas' Secretary of State website to display a mandatory confirmation message during online voter registration before the application is finalized. This message requires applicants to electronically confirm two key points: that completing the form does not equal voter registration, and that the completed application must still be submitted to a local voter registrar. The website must block further interaction until this confirmation is given, ensuring applicants understand the registration process isn't complete upon form submission. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects all Texas residents using the state's online voter registration system.

Maddy summaryHB 2181 increases criminal penalties for soliciting prostitution in Texas by creating three penalty tiers under the Penal Code. It raises the offense to a third-degree felony if the solicitor has a prior conviction for similar offenses or if the person they solicit is a trafficking victim (even if unknown to the solicitor). It escalates to a second-degree felony if the person solicited is under 18 years old, represented as under 18, or believed to be under 18 by the solicitor. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect cases occurring before that date.

Maddy summaryHB 4688 modifies Texas law for civil liability cases involving commercial motor vehicle accidents. It restricts when evidence of regulatory violations (like safety rules) can be used in court, requiring such evidence to directly link the violation to the injury and show the rule specifically applied to the situation. The bill also limits claims against employers for driver negligence unless the employer first admits the driver was acting within their job duties at the time of the accident. These changes apply only to cases filed or tried after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryHB 3187 creates a "General Mobility Program" allowing municipalities within regional transportation authorities to use up to 25% of their local sales tax revenue for transportation infrastructure projects. It directly affects cities in these authorities, enabling them to fund sidewalks, trails, streetlights, traffic signals, and drainage improvements on roads. The bill requires municipalities to submit annual project lists to regional boards and mandates that funds be distributed 50% upfront and 50% on reimbursement, with unused funds applied to debt payments secured by a 1% sales tax. This establishes a new, structured way for local governments to allocate tax revenue toward mobility improvements within their communities.