Rep. Matt Shaheen

Maddy summaryHB 4226 exempts nonprofit food banks and specific housing providers from Texas state sales, use, and rental taxes on motor vehicles they purchase, use, or rent. It directly affects food banks (as defined in Section 162.001) and housing providers serving homeless individuals with disabilities who meet strict criteria (continuously homeless for 1+ year or four homelessness episodes in 3 years). The bill adds new Tax Code sections requiring vehicles to be used "primarily" for the organization's core services. This exemption applies only to vehicles acquired on or after its September 1, 2025 effective date. The law was signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 75 requires magistrates in Texas to provide written findings within 24 hours when they determine no probable cause exists for a criminal arrest. This applies specifically to cases involving offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. The law aims to create a clear, documented record of the magistrate's decision in these initial proceedings. It directly affects magistrates handling pretrial detention hearings for criminal defendants.

Maddy summarySB 1470 requires Texas' Department of Public Safety (DPS) to share data about residents applying for out-of-state driver's licenses or ID cards with the secretary of state. This data helps identify voters who: (1) have changed addresses, (2) no longer qualify for registration under state law, or (3) are registered in multiple states. The law aims to maintain accurate statewide voter registration lists by preventing duplicate registrations and address mismatches. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all Texas voters holding active licenses who apply for licenses in other states.

Maddy summaryHB 1500 requires Texas' Department of Information Resources to create and deliver a quarterly in-person certification course on procuring information resources technologies. This course is available to state employees holding existing purchasing or contract management certifications (under Sections 656.051 and 656.052) and counts toward their continuing education requirements. The bill also mandates annual training for upper management at state agencies on best practices for purchasing these technologies, though participation is voluntary. These provisions aim to improve procurement standards for state technology purchases by enhancing staff expertise. The law took effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2781 restricts registered lobbyists (those required to register under Chapter 305, Government Code) from using political contributions they received to fund other political activities. Specifically, it prohibits lobbyists from making political contributions or expenditures to other candidates, officeholders, or committees using funds they received as candidates, from specific-purpose committees supporting them, or from committees that received funds from those sources within the previous two years. Violators face civil penalties of up to twice the amount of the prohibited contribution or expenditure. The law applies only to violations occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2217 updates Texas election procedures to improve transparency and accuracy in vote counting. It requires electronic voting devices to record time stamps, voter identifiers, and signatures; function offline; and transmit data between polling locations. Counties must reconcile daily the number of voters accepted versus votes cast during early voting, and post post-election reconciliations online within 30 days. The bill also specifies that provisional ballots cast during early voting count with early results, and those cast on election day count with election day results.

Maddy summaryHB 42 modifies how Texas allocates annual state funds to public universities and colleges by establishing a new formula based on space deficit, facilities condition, institutional complexity, and a separate allocation for the Texas State Technical College System. It specifies exact funding amounts for institutions like the University of North Texas ($65 million), Texas State University ($58 million), and Lamar University ($20 million) for the 2026 fiscal year. The bill changes the method of distributing constitutional appropriations from previous formulas to these new criteria and amounts. Signed into law on June 20, 2025, it takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 500 amends Texas adoption laws to improve access to a child's health, social, educational, and genetic history for prospective adoptive parents. It requires agencies like the Department of Family and Protective Services to compile this information within 45 days after a child's adoption plan is set or parental rights end, and to provide it to adoptive parents within 90 days of their request. The bill mandates redacting sensitive details like social security numbers and protecting identities of biological parents, siblings, or those who reported abuse, while requiring adoptive parents to sign a nondisclosure agreement before receiving confidential details. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 6 amends Texas Education Code Section 12.111 to update requirements for charter schools. The bill specifically adds new criteria allowing charter schools to exclude students who were expelled under Section 37.007, placed in disciplinary alternative education programs under Section 37.006, or have documented criminal histories or discipline problems. While the bill title mentions telehealth mental health services in public schools, the provided text does not detail provisions for telehealth access. The legislation primarily affects charter schools by modifying their student admission policies and discipline management standards. HB 6 was signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025, and is now effective.

Maddy summarySB 1233, the Perinatal Palliative Care Act, requires healthcare providers to inform pregnant women diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-limiting fetal condition about available perinatal palliative care. This applies to approximately 2% of pregnancies where the unborn child has a severe medical condition. The law mandates providers to explain comprehensive supportive care options - including medical, social, and mental health services - to reduce suffering for the mother, unborn child, and family during the perinatal period. It creates administrative penalties for noncompliance and defines perinatal palliative care to exclude actions intended to hasten death. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.