Rep. Eddie Morales

Maddy summaryHB 5060 creates new judicial districts in several Texas counties to address growing caseloads. It establishes the 490th Judicial District (Brazoria County, effective Sept. 1, 2025), 491st Judicial District (Brazoria County, effective Sept. 1, 2026), 501st and 502nd Judicial Districts (Fort Bend County, effective Sept. 1, 2025), 503rd Judicial District (Rockwall County, effective Sept. 1, 2025), and 504th Judicial District (Ellis County, effective Sept. 1, 2025). These districts will handle civil, criminal, family, and probate cases within their geographic boundaries. The bill directly affects residents and courts in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Rockwall, and Ellis counties by defining jurisdictional boundaries for their judicial systems.

Maddy summaryHB 3125 requires the Texas Workforce Commission to create a geothermal energy workforce education and training initiative. The bill directs the Commission, working with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and educational institutions (including colleges, career schools, and public technical institutes), to develop customized training programs for geothermal energy jobs. Key provisions include establishing curriculum standards for degrees/certificates, identifying funding for training programs, and promoting school-industry partnerships for apprenticeships. This initiative directly affects Texas students seeking geothermal energy careers, educational institutions offering relevant programs, and employers in the geothermal sector.

Maddy summaryHB 246 creates a compensation program for landowners and residents in Texas border regions who suffer property damage from specific criminal activities. The program, administered by the Attorney General, reimburses agricultural landowners, lessees, and border residents for damage to crops, livestock, buildings, or personal property caused by: (1) criminal trespassers committing border-related offenses (e.g., under Penal Code Chapter 28), or (2) law enforcement responses to such trespassers. Funding comes from state appropriations, dedicated revenue, grants, and federal reimbursements. The bill defines "border crime" as offenses involving transnational criminal activity near the border and specifies eligibility requirements for claims.

Maddy summaryHB 213 amends Texas education law to include chronically absent students (those missing significant school days) in the official definition of "students at risk of dropping out." This change directly affects school districts, which must now collect and report data on chronically absent students to the state. The bill adds chronic absenteeism as a specific criterion under the existing "at-risk" definition, requiring schools to track and document students missing many days. This policy change ensures schools systematically identify and support students whose attendance patterns signal potential disengagement, with data submitted through the state's education management system.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided context, no substantive bill text or summary is available for HB 2433. The bill title indicates it relates to hotel occupancy tax collection by accommodations intermediaries (like online booking platforms), but the actual provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are not described in the materials provided. The "Bill Text" section states it is "not currently available" and directs users to a PDF that is also unavailable. Without the full text or a substantive summary, a factual description of the bill's policy changes cannot be generated.

Maddy summaryHB 2196 allows public school districts to offer virtual and hybrid courses under Chapter 30B of the Education Code and authorizes the commissioner of education to temporarily adjust how school attendance is calculated during emergencies (like natural disasters or pandemics). This adjustment helps ensure school districts maintain their state funding under the Foundation School Program when students learn remotely. The bill also permits the commissioner to charge a fee related to these modifications. It directly affects Texas public school districts, students, and educators by providing flexibility in attendance tracking during crises while preserving funding stability.

Maddy summaryHB 1400 creates a new groundwater science, research, and innovation fund administered by the Texas Water Development Board. The fund provides grants to groundwater conservation districts for projects focused on improving local groundwater understanding, developing better groundwater models, increasing water conservation efficiency, boosting recharge, and protecting water quality. Funds come from state appropriations, transfers, investment returns, and donations. This bill directly affects groundwater districts by enabling them to access state funding for science-based management initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 147 requires Texas livestock owners (cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats) to record their animal identification methods - such as brands, tattoos, or electronic devices - with county clerks using an electronic system. County clerks must maintain these records electronically and send copies to the Texas Animal Health Commission within 30 days of receipt. Owners must update their recorded marks every 10 years, starting six months after September 1, 2031. This replaces paper-based registration with a digital registry to improve tracking and compliance across the state.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 5243 would prohibit SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) beneficiaries in Texas from using their benefits to purchase energy drinks, sweetened beverages, carbonated drinks, candy, potato/corn chips, and packaged cookies. The bill defines "energy drink" as containing at least 65mg caffeine per 8oz and "sweetened beverage" as any nonalcoholic drink with added sweetener. Exceptions include milk products, milk substitutes (like soy milk), unsweetened juices, infant formula, and certain fortified products containing protein or vitamins. This policy change directly affects SNAP recipients who would no longer use benefits for the listed items, while allowing coverage for specified healthier alternatives.