Rep. Eddie Morales

Maddy summaryHB 2003 requires entities proposing high-speed rail projects in Texas to annually submit detailed financial and operational information to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This includes financing methods, cost projections, construction timelines, ridership estimates, and foreign investment disclosures. TxDOT must then make all submitted data publicly accessible on its website. The bill directly affects companies or organizations planning high-speed rail projects within Texas, mandating transparency about their financial and operational plans.

Maddy summarySB 3044 changes the governance structure of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District. It increases the board of directors from five to seven members and requires the City of Marfa and City of Presidio to each appoint one director to the board. The bill also removes prior requirements for the Presidio County Commissioners Court to fill vacancies, instead aligning appointment procedures with the cities' roles. This directly affects the district's governance and the local cities' influence over water conservation decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 431 clarifies that property owners' associations (POAs) cannot restrict the installation of solar roof tiles by explicitly including them in the legal definition of "solar energy device" under Texas Property Code. The bill amends Section 202.010(a)(2) to state that "solar roof tile" is part of the definition, aligning with existing tax code provisions. This change ensures POAs cannot impose blanket bans on solar roof tiles under their regulations, directly affecting homeowners and POAs managing residential communities. The bill is purely definitional and does not create new restrictions or requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 48 creates a dedicated oilfield theft prevention unit within the Texas Department of Public Safety to investigate and prevent the theft of oil and gas equipment used in drilling, production, and transportation. The unit, headquartered in the El Paso region, will coordinate with local law enforcement, the Railroad Commission, and victims to develop specialized training for police and conduct public awareness campaigns. It will investigate specific theft offenses under Texas law related to oilfield equipment and must follow department rules for operations, including staff training and equipment procurement. The bill establishes this unit as a permanent part of DPS to address theft targeting the energy sector.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal description of Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College in the Texas Education Code by removing the term "upper-level" from its official designation. It directly affects the university's Rio Grande College campuses in Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Uvalde, which are part of Sul Ross State University. The change takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter course offerings, funding, or academic programs. The bill is purely procedural, adjusting how the institution is formally referenced in state law.

Maddy summaryHB 4 restricts Texas public school districts and campuses from obtaining exemptions or waivers for specific requirements, including graduation standards, school accountability measures under Chapters 39 and 39A, health and safety rules, and programs for special education and bilingual students. The bill explicitly prohibits waivers for federal mandates, essential knowledge/skills, class size limits (except as allowed by law), extracurricular activities, and other key areas listed in the legislation. It also changes the appeal process for challenges to the commissioner's decisions, requiring appeals to be filed in Travis County district court with specific procedural steps. This bill directly affects school districts, the Texas Education Agency, and individuals seeking to challenge educational decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2890 establishes a legal framework for Texas to join an interstate compact with Gulf Coast states (like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama) focused on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry. It authorizes the Texas governor to negotiate and sign this compact without needing congressional approval, ensuring it doesn’t increase states' political power relative to the federal government. The compact requires participating states to share information, resources, and services to protect and grow the LNG industry along the Gulf Coast while improving industry coordination. This bill directly affects Texas and other Gulf Coast states participating in the compact, creating a formal mechanism for regional collaboration. The bill became effective immediately on May 28, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 37 requires hospitals with maternal care designations to provide bereavement counseling options and perinatal bereavement devices (which delay tissue deterioration for up to 72 hours after pregnancy loss or infant death) to families following intrauterine fetal demise, neonatal death, or stillbirth. The Texas Department of State Health Services must establish a perinatal bereavement care initiative offering hospitals training for staff on compassionate communication and resources like devices with maintenance support. This law directly affects designated hospitals and families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss in Texas. The initiative aims to improve access to supportive care during this difficult time, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3336 creates a tax credit for Texas breweries and distilleries that donate spent grain (a byproduct of brewing liquor or malt beverages) for agricultural use. Eligible taxpayers can claim a credit of $0.08 per pound of dry weight donated for purposes like animal feed or composting, within 100 miles of where the grain was used. The credit is capped at $30,000 per year or the total taxes paid under the Alcoholic Beverage Code, whichever is lower. This applies only to donations made on or after the bill's effective date for taxes due after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 21 amends Texas Local Government Code provisions affecting housing finance corporations that develop or manage low- and moderate-income housing. It defines qualifying residential developments as those where at least 90% of units are intended for households with adjusted gross income below state-defined moderate income levels. The bill also requires these corporations to follow open meetings and public records laws (Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code) and restricts their development to areas within the boundaries of their sponsoring local governments - unless approved by those governing bodies. These changes clarify operational rules and transparency requirements for housing finance corporations serving low- and moderate-income residents.