Rep. Eddie Morales

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 1713 increases criminal penalties for damaging electric vehicle (EV) charging stations by elevating offenses involving impairment of EV supply equipment to a Class A misdemeanor. This change applies when the damage causes impairment or interruption to EV charging infrastructure, regardless of the financial loss amount. The bill specifically targets individuals who disrupt or tamper with public or private EV charging equipment, making such acts punishable more severely than general property damage under Texas Penal Code. It directly affects anyone who intentionally damages or interferes with EV charging stations, including vandals or those causing accidental disruption during maintenance. The amendment modifies existing penalty tiers to prioritize protection of emerging EV infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 2777 would prohibit the death penalty for defendants found to have had "severe mental illness" (defined as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with active psychotic symptoms impairing judgment or understanding of wrongfulness) at the time of a capital offense. The bill requires defendants to file a 30-day notice before trial to present evidence of this condition, which they must prove by "clear and convincing evidence." If notice is not filed, such evidence becomes inadmissible unless the court finds "good cause" for the delay. The law would directly affect defendants in Texas capital cases who qualify under this mental health definition, altering sentencing eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 5398 amends Texas law to allow qualified landowners or their agents to use helicopters for taking aoudad sheep (an invasive species causing land damage) under the same permit system already used for depredating feral hogs and coyotes. The bill specifically adds aoudad sheep to the list of animals that can be managed using helicopter-assisted hunting or observation. It does not create new restrictions but expands existing authority for landowners dealing with these invasive animals. The Parks and Wildlife Commission must later adopt rules to implement this change, and the law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2357 requires Texas appraisal districts (which assess property values) and taxing units (like cities or school districts that collect property taxes) to use a standardized digital format for all property tax data by January 2027. The comptroller must establish this "universal data exchange format" by 2026, ensuring property tax information can be easily shared between computer systems without manual reformatting. This applies to all digital data used to create appraisal rolls and tax rolls, except for the existing uniform record system. The bill aims to streamline data sharing and reduce administrative burdens for local governments managing property tax records.

Maddy summaryHB 1699 requires healthcare providers to wait at least three business days before sending certain sensitive medical test results electronically to patients or their representatives. It specifically applies to cancer-related pathology/radiology reports and genetic test results. The bill mandates that such results must be disclosed via secure electronic means (like patient portals) only after they're finalized, giving providers time to review results before sharing. This affects patients receiving these test results and healthcare systems managing electronic health records. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 318 creates a grant program to provide financial assistance to sheriff's departments in rural Texas counties with staffing shortages. Counties qualify if they have a population of 300,000 or less and a deputy-to-resident ratio of less than 15 deputies per 10,000 residents as of January 1, 2025. The program awards $50,000 per qualified deputy position for the first year of funding and $50,000 per position annually thereafter, administered by the comptroller using state funds. Counties must apply within 30 days of their fiscal year start to receive grants for new deputy positions that meet specific criteria, such as deputies making routine traffic stops.

Maddy summaryHB 2115 establishes minimum salary requirements for rural law enforcement positions funded through state grants. It sets annual minimums of $75,000 for sheriffs, $45,000 for deputies making traffic stops, and $40,000 for jailers/telecommunicators. Counties receiving grants must use funds exclusively for these salaries, hiring, or equipment, and must contribute 75% of the required salary costs. The bill directs the comptroller to create application rules, deadlines, and monitoring procedures to ensure funds are used properly. This directly affects rural Texas counties operating sheriff's offices, constable offices, and prosecutor's offices.

Maddy summarySB 503 requires Texas livestock owners (cattle, hogs, sheep, goats) to register their animal identification marks - such as brands, tattoos, or electronic tags - electronically with county clerks. County clerks must maintain these records electronically and send copies to the Texas Animal Health Commission within 30 days of receipt. The bill updates existing law to mandate electronic record-keeping instead of paper, specifying details like the date of registration and placement location on animals. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting all livestock owners who must comply with the new registration system.

Maddy summaryHB 1079 would designate Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and Leadership Officer Training Corps (LOTC) programs as official public school career and technology education programs. This change would directly affect public schools offering these military-focused training programs, requiring them to be counted toward the state's career and technology education metrics. The bill also specifies that participation in these programs would serve as an indicator of military readiness within the public school accountability system. This legislation aims to formally integrate these programs into existing educational frameworks without altering their structure or curriculum. The bill is currently pending in committee after a public hearing.