Rep. Eddie Morales

Maddy summaryHJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. The bill would transfer $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026, for research, prevention, and treatment of dementia and related disorders. The institute would award grants to Texas research institutions, medical facilities, and collaboratives to develop treatments, prevention programs, and address access to care. This initiative directly affects Texans living with dementia and their families, as well as researchers and healthcare providers in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1031 clarifies how county judges and commissioners courts determine pay for certain county and precinct officers and employees, such as court coordinators and administrators. The bill specifies that county judges set reasonable compensation for court coordinators (subject to commissioners court approval) and court administrators, while commissioners courts set pay for other county staff paid from county funds. It requires funding for these roles to be included in the county budget and allows supplemental funding through grants. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1037 amends Texas Penal Code Section 31.03(e) to update the punishment levels for theft offenses based on the value of stolen property and specific circumstances. It reclassifies thefts under $100 as a Class C misdemeanor (previously $750), raises thresholds for higher offenses (e.g., Class A misdemeanor now starts at $750 instead of $300), and adds new aggravating factors like theft of driver's licenses, firearms, election ballots, or catalytic converters - treating these as more serious regardless of value. This bill directly affects individuals committing thefts by altering the criminal penalties they face based on the stolen items' value and type. The changes aim to better align penalties with the severity of the theft, particularly for high-value property and items with public safety implications.

Maddy summaryHB 1038 amends Texas Local Government Code Section 388.001 to clarify which counties qualify for a grant program supporting public improvement projects in unincorporated communities. It establishes two specific eligibility categories: (1) counties with under 3,000 residents adjacent to three or more counties of under 10,000 residents and on an international border, or (2) counties with under 7,000 residents adjacent to no more than two such counties and on an international border. The bill directly affects unincorporated communities in qualifying counties by determining their access to state grant funding for infrastructure projects. This change modifies existing eligibility rules without altering the grant program's core purpose. The bill is currently pending in the County & Regional Government committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1034 requires elected state officials (including legislators and statewide officeholders, but excluding the governor) to reimburse the state for out-of-state travel and security costs paid with public funds if the expenses aren't deemed official business. It mandates electronic disclosure of travel details - including dates, locations, costs, purpose, and security use - to the Texas Ethics Commission within specific deadlines. The commission reviews these disclosures within 90 days and notifies officers if costs must be reimbursed, plus inflation-adjusted interest. The bill directly affects elected officials' spending practices by creating a formal process for auditing and recovering state funds used for non-official travel.

Maddy summaryHB 1139 prevents contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers who are Texas residents from being forced to file lawsuits outside Texas over property improvement contracts. It voids any contract clause requiring such lawsuits to occur in another state, making these clauses unenforceable under Texas law. If a venue clause is void, disputes must be filed in Texas - in the county where the defendant resides, the issue arose, or the property is located. The law applies only to contracts signed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 1036 amends Texas law to change how compensation is set for specific court administrative staff, including court coordinators and court administrators. It requires county judges to determine reasonable pay for these roles, subject to approval by the county commissioners court, while clarifying that commissioners court sets salary ranges for these positions in the annual budget. The bill also specifies that county funds must cover these costs through the regular budget process, with possible supplemental funding from grants. This applies directly to court staff in Texas counties and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryBased solely on the provided context, this bill's title indicates it relates to displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools, but the actual bill text is unavailable (noted as "not currently available" with a PDF reference). The bill was filed on November 12, 2024, and referred to the Public Education committee on March 7, 2025. No specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are described in the available information. Without access to the full bill text or summary details, a substantive policy summary cannot be provided.

Maddy summaryHB 1049 would establish a Texas-issued currency backed by physical gold and silver held in a state-managed depository. It authorizes the comptroller to create this currency, representing specific fractions of a troy ounce of gold or silver, and requires it to function as legal tender for debt payments. The bill mandates electronic transfer capabilities for the currency and designates the Texas Bullion Depository as the exclusive issuer. It also authorizes a fee to cover administrative costs, though specific fee amounts are not detailed in the provided text. This bill is procedural in nature, creating a new currency framework rather than altering existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes March 5, 2025, as "City of Pecos and Reeves County Day" at the Texas State Capitol, honoring the community's history and contributions. It is a ceremonial recognition with no policy changes, funding, or regulatory impact. The resolution was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on March 5, 2025, to welcome a visiting delegation from Pecos and Reeves County.