Rep. Matt Shaheen

Maddy summaryHB 5112 requires Texas public universities to adopt policies prohibiting antisemitism, specifically targeting speech or violence intended to incite harm against Jewish individuals or communities. The bill mandates disciplinary actions, including student expulsion or disbanding student organizations, for violations of these policies. Institutions must submit annual compliance reports to the legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board by September 2026 before receiving funding for the following fiscal year. The policy applies to all public institutions of higher education, affecting students, student groups, and university governance. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year, with the reporting requirement beginning in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 5361 extends termination notice periods for contracts between the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and single-source continuum contractors. It requires 180 days' notice for both contractors and DFPS to terminate contracts, up from previous 60-day and 30-day requirements. The bill also allows DFPS to bypass standard competitive bidding rules when replacing a terminated contractor with a new single-source provider, removing requirements under Government Code and Human Resources Code. These changes apply only to contracts entered into or modified after September 1, 2025, affecting contractors providing family and protective services.

Maddy summaryHB 5252 allows Texas municipalities to adjust additional sales and use taxes for property tax relief without requiring voter elections. It amends Local Government Code sections to let municipalities adopt, increase, decrease, or repeal these taxes via ordinance or resolution, with the tax rate automatically reverting to its prior level after a temporary period expires. The bill also permits municipalities to tie sales tax revenue to specific projects (replacing "new business enterprises" language) in voter propositions, while clarifying disqualification rules for certain transit authority areas. This streamlines local tax adjustments for property tax relief without mandating additional voter approval.

Maddy summaryHB 5364 creates a legal process for appointing a court-appointed manager (receiver) to oversee a single-source child welfare service contractor in Texas when the contractor fails to meet required standards. It directly affects child welfare contractors, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and children in foster care under the contractor’s care. The bill allows receivership if the contractor: continues to fail after improvement plans, plans to stop services without arranging continuity, endangers children’s safety, or fails to provide required child information. The receiver would manage the contractor’s operations to ensure uninterrupted, safe child welfare services. This is a procedural change to existing law, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 5366 amends Texas Family Code requirements for contracts between the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and single-source continuum contractors providing community-based child care. The bill mandates specific contract provisions, including implementation timelines for case management and family reunification services, standardized training for alternative caregivers across agencies, and requirements for maintaining diverse provider networks. Contractors must also participate in data governance councils, undergo performance reviews after 18 months (with potential financial penalties for failures or incentives for exceeding goals), and prioritize hiring affected DFPS employees. This directly affects DFPS, child-placing agencies, contractors, and alternative caregivers in designated service areas.

Maddy summaryHB 5393 requires courts to notify the State Board for Educator Certification and Texas Education Agency within five days when a school employee (including certified teachers or staff) is convicted of certain offenses, such as sex crimes or felonies against minors. It also mandates that the State Board notify the Texas Education Agency within 24 hours if it revokes a teaching certificate due to specific misconduct, like abuse or criminal acts against students. The bill creates new procedures under Texas Education Code Chapter 22A for reporting and investigating misconduct by public and private school employees. These changes directly affect school employees, school districts, charter schools, and state education agencies by standardizing notification timelines for serious misconduct.

Maddy summaryThe bill HB 5541 addresses potential discrimination by state agencies in occupational licensing decisions. It aims to prevent state agencies from denying or revoking occupational licenses based on protected characteristics like race, gender, or religion. The bill would require agencies to provide clear, non-discriminatory reasons for licensing decisions and establish a process for applicants to challenge alleged discrimination. However, the specific provisions and scope of the bill are not detailed in the provided context, as the full text is unavailable and only the title and filing date are documented.

Maddy summaryHB 5049 amends Texas Transportation Code sections governing subregional boards of regional transportation authorities. It requires each municipality in a transportation authority area to appoint one board member (replacing previous multi-member allocations), establishes a rotating two-year presiding officer position with no consecutive terms, and creates staggered two-year terms for all members. The bill directly affects local municipalities that appoint board members to regional transportation authorities. Key changes include standardizing voting (one vote per municipality) and repealing outdated sections about board leadership.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring city council members and school board trustees to automatically resign their local positions if they announce a candidacy for the Texas legislature or U.S. Congress. It would apply to those whose current term exceeds one year and 30 days, triggering immediate resignation upon announcing their campaign. The amendment specifically targets candidates for state legislative or federal congressional offices, not other political races. If approved by voters, this change would take effect after the November 2025 election.

Maddy summaryHB 4499 requires public universities in Texas to establish a General Education Review Committee to annually assess core curricula. These committees must ensure courses are foundational for education, prepare students for careers and civic life, and avoid endorsing specific policies or ideologies. The committees can include industry partners and tenured faculty, and must publicly share recommendations for 30 days before governing boards vote to approve or reject them. The bill directly affects all 14 public institutions of higher education in Texas, their governing boards, and the curriculum students experience.