Rep. Eddie Morales

Maddy summaryHB 1964 creates a legal right for farmers and agricultural operations to sue local governments (like counties or cities) if those governments enforce rules that violate Texas Agriculture Code provisions. The bill allows affected individuals to seek court orders to stop enforcement of such rules and recover legal fees and costs if they win their case. It applies only to lawsuits filed after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote earlier). This directly affects farmers facing local enforcement actions and local governments that may be sued under this new provision. The law does not change existing agricultural regulations but provides a new remedy for disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 3506 directs Texas to withdraw from the Interstate Mining Compact, an agreement with other states governing mining regulations. The bill requires the governor to notify other participating states and publish the withdrawal in the Texas Register. It also abolishes two state offices - the Texas Interstate Mining Compact Commissioner and the Texas Mining Council - and repeals Chapter 132 of the Natural Resources Code, which governed the state's participation in the compact. The law takes effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, otherwise on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1638 allows certain small Texas cities to change their general election dates for city officers to align with the statewide November election. It applies specifically to cities with 9,000 or fewer residents located in counties under 4,800 square miles, using council-manager government, and currently holding elections on a different date. Cities must make this change by December 31, 2026, and the provision expires January 1, 2027. This bill modifies Texas Election Code Section 41.0052 to enable this date adjustment while requiring compliance with existing election rules.

Maddy summaryHB 3240 establishes the Texas Geothermal Energy Production Policy Council within the state commission to study and recommend policies for geothermal energy development. The council, composed of commission leadership, a University of Texas geology director, and up to 11 industry representatives, will analyze geothermal industry growth, tax incentives, and federal partnerships to develop a state oversight plan. It must make legislative recommendations by 2032, when the council expires. This bill directly affects geothermal energy developers and state regulators by creating a structured process for policy development, without imposing new regulations or funding. The council's work is intended to inform future state oversight of geothermal production, transportation, and storage.

Maddy summaryHB 36, the Sharon Radebaugh Family Violence Protection Act, requires courts to mandate GPS tracking devices for high-risk defendants charged with family violence offenses as a condition of bond. The bill also establishes that defendants may be charged a fee to cover the cost of the GPS monitoring system and requires courts to collect data on bond conditions in family violence and certain other criminal cases. This directly affects defendants facing family violence charges (who may wear GPS devices), victims (who may receive related resources), and courts (which must track bond conditions). The law aims to enhance victim safety through stricter offender monitoring and data collection, without specifying new victim services beyond the data collection requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 25 requires Texas public schools to provide daily physical activity for students in prekindergarten through grade 8, mandating at least 30 minutes of moderate/vigorous activity per day for younger students (pre-K-grade 5) and 135-225 minutes weekly for middle schoolers (grades 6-8), with scheduling flexibility. It directly affects all Texas public school students in these grades and prohibits school staff from withholding physical activity as punishment for academic or behavioral reasons. The bill also adds a new requirement that higher education institutions receiving certain funds must develop nutrition curricula aligned with Texas nutrition guidelines. This legislation focuses on structured physical education and activity standards, not on nutrition food policies. The bill is currently pending in committee after being favorably reported as substituted.

Maddy summaryHB 1029 requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to install and maintain highway signs on Interstate 10 east and west of the U.S. Highway 67 intersection to guide travelers to the Museum of the Big Bend. The bill specifically allows TxDOT to bypass standard distance limitations in traffic control devices for this sign, while still complying with all other federal and state traffic control standards. This legislation directly affects TxDOT’s signage policies and travelers visiting the Museum of the Big Bend in the Big Bend region. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter broader TxDOT policies beyond this specific sign installation.

Maddy summaryHB 3046 allows motor vehicle owners to display only a rear license plate instead of front and rear plates by paying a $50 annual fee. To qualify, vehicles must display a special state-issued sticker on the windshield for validation. The bill amends Texas Transportation Code to create this option, require the windshield sticker, and direct the $50 fee into the state highway fund. It applies to all registered vehicles choosing this configuration, with enforcement rules updated to reflect the new requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 176 establishes requirements for future interstate compacts focused on border security between Texas and other states. It defines "illegal alien" using federal immigration terms and mandates that any new compact must include provisions for sharing law enforcement intelligence, resources for physical barriers or surveillance systems, and mutual support for personnel and infrastructure along the Texas-Mexico border. The bill specifies that compacts must aim to detect, apprehend, or deflect unauthorized border crossings and enforce federal immigration laws. It applies only to compacts entered into on or after the bill’s effective date (September 1, 2025), leaving existing compacts governed by prior law.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 945), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally honors Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025, recognizing his life, leadership as the first Latin American pope, and global efforts to serve the vulnerable. The resolution memorializes his legacy, including his work during Argentina's economic crisis, interfaith initiatives, and pandemic-era outreach. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express collective remembrance.