Rep. Matt Shaheen

Maddy summaryHB 2354 amends Texas Education Code to clarify the legal status of open-enrollment charter schools. It explicitly defines these schools as "local governments" for certain purposes (like Chapter 791 of the Government Code), "political subdivisions" for others (including property law under Section 16.061 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code), and specifies their tax and transportation code classifications. The bill directly affects all open-enrollment charter schools in Texas by determining which state laws apply to their operations, admissions, enrollment, and employment policies. These changes standardize how charter schools interact with state government structures and legal frameworks.

Maddy summarySB 569 allows Texas school districts to adjust how student attendance is calculated during emergencies (like natural disasters or pandemics) to maintain funding under the Foundation School Program. It authorizes the commissioner of education to grant waivers or modifications to average daily attendance rules during crises, preventing funding cuts that would otherwise occur if attendance dropped due to virtual learning or school closures. The bill also permits the commissioner to charge a fee for processing these attendance adjustments. This directly affects school districts relying on state funding tied to attendance metrics during emergency periods.

Maddy summaryHB 4130 modifies notice requirements for terminating contracts between the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and single-source continuum contractors. It increases the required notice period for both contractors (180 days) and DFPS (180 days) before contract termination, replacing previous 60- and 30-day notice periods. Crucially, the bill allows DFPS to immediately contract with a new provider for the same services without competitive bidding, bypassing standard procurement rules under Texas Government Code and Human Resources Code. This applies only to contracts entered into or amended after September 1, 2025, directly affecting DFPS, existing continuum contractors, and potential replacement providers.

Maddy summaryHB 4131 creates a legal process for appointing a court-appointed receiver (manager) to oversee a single-source continuum contractor providing child welfare services in Texas. It directly affects contractors under exclusive state contracts for child welfare services and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The bill specifies five situations triggering receivership: continued failure to perform after remedial plans, plans to cease operations without transition, imminent danger to children's health/safety, failure to provide child information, or court noncompliance. This mechanism ensures uninterrupted child welfare services by allowing courts to step in when contractors fail to meet contractual or safety obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 576 amends Texas Property Code definitions to clarify who can serve as a substitute trustee or trustee under contract liens for real property. It expands the definition to include corporations, government entities, business trusts, and other legal organizations - replacing the previous vague reference to "a person." This change directly affects mortgage servicers, lenders, and foreclosure professionals who must now appoint these specified entities to exercise power of sale during foreclosure proceedings. The bill makes no new policy changes but standardizes existing foreclosure procedures by defining eligible appointees.

Maddy summaryHB 1110 protects individuals who report suspicious activity to law enforcement in good faith from being sued civilly. The bill creates a legal shield for such reporters if they acted reasonably under the circumstances and had a reasonable belief the activity involved a crime or terrorism. This law applies only to lawsuits filed after September 1, 2025, and does not cover reports made with malicious intent or unreasonable conduct. It directly affects citizens, businesses, and organizations reporting potential criminal or terrorist activity to authorities.

Maddy summaryHB 4762 establishes the Higher Education Research Security Council to strengthen security at Texas's top research universities. The Council, composed of security officers from these institutions, will develop security policies, create an accreditation program for secure research, and provide annual training on background checks and security tools. It must meet quarterly and submit annual reports to state officials, directly affecting Texas's tier one research institutions (as defined by the Carnegie Classification) and their security personnel.

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryHB 2915 increases criminal penalties for rigging publicly displayed contests, such as raffles or sweepstakes. It amends Texas Penal Code Section 32.44(c) to upgrade the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony. This change applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, not to past actions. The bill directly affects individuals who tamper with contests open to the public, making the penalty more severe for this specific crime.

Maddy summaryHB 997 requires out-of-state health professionals (including physicians, dentists, and their authorized assistants) to register with Texas to provide telehealth or telemedicine services to Texas patients. The bill creates a registration system administered by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, with associated fees for providers. It amends the Insurance Code and Occupations Code to define "telemedicine medical service" and clarify that out-of-state providers must register to legally deliver remote care. This policy change directly affects healthcare professionals practicing across state lines without Texas licensure.