Rep. Claudia Ordaz

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies when documents claiming to transfer property ownership are presumed fraudulent. It defines four specific scenarios where such documents (like fake court orders, unauthorized liens, inmate filings, or documents tied to certain convictions) are legally considered fraudulent. Property owners can then file a motion with the district clerk to challenge these recorded documents, attaching evidence like court convictions or proof of proper affidavits. The law directly affects real estate transactions by establishing clear legal standards for identifying invalid property claims. It does not create new criminal penalties but provides a mechanism for owners to contest suspicious documents in court.

Maddy summaryHB 4196 creates a 11-member Task Force on Modernizing Manufacturing to study how Texas manufacturers can adopt automation and digital technologies. The task force includes representatives from small, mid-sized, and large manufacturers, automation experts, a Texas Workforce Commission member, and an office representative. It must identify barriers to technology adoption, develop policy recommendations (including potential incentives), and evaluate economic impacts like job creation and competitiveness. The task force is required to submit a final report to state leaders by October 1, 2026. This bill does not directly change laws but establishes a study body focused on the manufacturing sector.

Maddy summaryHB 3807 creates a priority for children of child-care workers on local workforce boards' waiting lists for child-care services. Child-care workers whose children receive this priority must continue working in the field until their child is placed in care (one year after the priority date). Local workforce boards must implement this priority, and if a worker leaves before the one-year period, the commission may end child-care services for the child. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5122 requires the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to create and maintain a webpage on its website with current, comprehensive resources to help employers support employee parents seeking child care. The webpage must include information on child-care assistance, tax credits, dependent care savings accounts, employer best practices, free tools, and optional policies - without providing legal advice or mandating employer action. TWC must post this information by February 1, 2026, and the bill takes effect September 1, 2025. This bill directly affects Texas employers seeking to support employee parents by providing accessible, non-binding resources.

Maddy summaryHB 1228 allows homeowners to immediately begin emergency repairs on damaged residential buildings if the repairs protect public safety, prevent further damage, or preserve structural integrity. Homeowners must apply for an emergency permit within three business days of starting repairs or when the municipality/county can accept the application. The bill requires cities and counties to permit these immediate repairs and prohibits them from blocking such work. If a local government violates this law, homeowners can sue for damages and recover attorney fees. This directly affects homeowners needing urgent repairs and local governments managing building permits.

Maddy summaryHB 1368 requires Texas public schools (with 10,000+ students) to notify parents in writing if they lack a full-time nurse, school counselor, or librarian for more than 30 consecutive instructional days. Schools must send this notice within 30 days of the absence starting, offering bilingual options for non-English speaking families. The law applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and allows schools to post notices on their websites if accessible via three clicks. It does not apply to schools with fewer than 10,000 students.

Maddy summaryHB 4487 prohibits using bots, multiple accounts, or IP addresses to automate or bypass sales systems for clothing purchases on websites or apps. It targets tactics like circumventing randomized customer selection or sales limits, directly affecting online retailers who must comply with these rules and consumers attempting automated purchases. Violators face a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation, enforced by the Texas Attorney General through lawsuits seeking injunctions or restitution. The law applies only to clothing sales occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4336 allows hospital employees to take custody of newborns without a court order under specific conditions. It applies to infants 60 days old or younger who are voluntarily left with hospital staff immediately after birth (e.g., handed to an employee or placed in a designated safety device) and where the parent does not express intent to return. The bill amends Texas Family Code Section 262.302(a) to formalize this process, removing the need for judicial oversight in these emergency situations. The law will take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 35 is a Texas concurrent resolution urging Congress to change federal tax law. It requests that spaceports be added to the list of facilities eligible for tax-exempt private activity bonds - currently available for airports, docks, and similar transportation hubs. This would allow spaceport projects in Texas (where the state ranks second nationally in spaceport locations and hosts over 2,000 aerospace businesses) to access lower-cost financing for infrastructure development. The resolution does not change state law but formally asks federal lawmakers to amend the Internal Revenue Code to support this change.

Maddy summaryHB 3458 bans pet stores from selling dogs or cats, with limited exceptions for animal control agencies and nonprofit adoption organizations that meet specific criteria. These exceptions require organizations to not obtain animals for compensation, breed them, or have ties to breeders or brokers, and pet stores cannot charge fees or claim ownership for adoption showcases. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $500 per day per animal sold. The law applies only to animals obtained by pet stores on or after the effective date.