Rep. Don McLaughlin

Maddy summaryHB 3061 increases penalties for certain criminal offenses committed while wearing masks or disguises specifically to hide the offender's identity. It applies to offenses under Texas law covering assault, robbery, public disorder (Title 5, Chapters 28-30, or Sections 42.01/42.02). If proven, the punishment escalates to the next higher offense category, with a minimum 180-day jail term for Class A misdemeanors. Exceptions allow the penalty increase to be avoided if the disguise was for events like Halloween, proven by a preponderance of evidence.

Maddy summaryHB 3741 requires foreign students and employees at Texas public universities to sign a sworn affidavit stating they are not agents of a "foreign adversary" (defined as a nation hostile to the U.S. or Texas). The affidavit must include the exact statement: "I affirm that I am not an agent of a foreign nation hostile to the United States of America or the State of Texas." This applies to all non-citizen, non-permanent-resident students and employees enrolled or hired at public institutions, regardless of when they were admitted or hired. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may create rules to implement the requirement, but the bill itself mandates the affidavit as a direct condition of enrollment or employment.

Maddy summaryHB 2947 increases criminal penalties for parents whose children repeatedly miss school without excuse, raising fines from $100 to $150 for a first offense (up to $800 for fifth+ offenses). It requires schools to certify they applied truancy prevention measures before referring cases to court and mandates schools to report annual truancy data by campus and grade. The bill also allows courts to dismiss fines if parents prove the child turned 21, graduated, or joined the military. These changes directly affect parents of chronically absent students, school districts, and truancy courts. The bill adds new reporting requirements for school districts to track attendance patterns and referrals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 2776 restricts licensing eligibility and mandates license revocation for massage professionals convicted of specific offenses. It makes massage establishments, schools, therapists, and instructors ineligible for licenses if convicted of offenses like sexual assault (Penal Code §§ 22.011, 22.021) or similar crimes, including deferred adjudication. The bill also requires license revocation if a therapist practices at a sexually oriented business or is convicted of offenses listed in Section 455.152. These provisions directly affect licensed massage professionals and businesses by linking criminal convictions to licensing consequences under Texas law. The bill amends existing licensing rules to clarify these restrictions but does not create new criminal offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 5337 requires Texas voters to submit proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must provide documents like a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or citizenship papers to county registrars. If proof isn't submitted, voters would only qualify for a limited federal ballot under Chapter 115. The bill creates criminal penalties for failing to provide required documentation and amends election code sections to implement these requirements. This directly affects all new voter registrants in Texas seeking full voting rights.

Maddy summaryHB 3310 allows certain small counties (under 50,000 population adjacent to both a large county and a very small county) to regulate noise from loudspeakers or sound amplifiers. It permits counties to prohibit sound exceeding 70 decibels at 50 feet from property lines during specific hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 11:59 p.m. to 8 a.m. Friday-Saturday. The bill includes exemptions for emergency vehicles, utilities (electric, gas, telecom), oil/gas operations, schools, and county events like parades. These regulations apply only to unincorporated areas within the county.

Maddy summaryHB 294 prevents municipalities and property owners' associations from banning fruit/vegetable gardening or keeping small numbers of domestic animals (up to six chickens or rabbits) on single-family residential lots. The bill allows local governments to impose reasonable rules on visibility, noise, safety, and sanitation - such as requiring fenced areas, limiting roosters, or setting minimum space requirements (20 sq. ft per chicken, 9 sq. ft per rabbit) - without prohibiting the activities. It specifically excludes condominiums and voids any ordinances violating these provisions. The bill aims to support small-scale food production in residential areas while maintaining community standards.

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryHB 137 designates specific routes for permits allowing oversize and overweight vehicles to travel from international border crossings to ports and industrial areas in Cameron and Hidalgo counties. The bill specifies exact roadways, including State Highways 48 and 4, U.S. Highways 77 and 83, and Farm-to-Market Roads 509 and 106, that must be used for these movements. It also grants the transportation commission authority to approve alternative routes after consulting with port authorities. This bill directly affects commercial trucking companies transporting large cargo across the U.S.-Mexico border in these counties.