Rep. David Lowe

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to clarify that Texas's Attorney General has the same authority as county or district attorneys to prosecute criminal violations of election laws. It would amend Article IV, Section 22 of the Texas Constitution to explicitly state the Attorney General shares "concurrent jurisdiction" with local prosecutors for election-related crimes. The amendment directly affects election law violators and defines the legal roles of state and local prosecutors. If approved by voters in November 2025, it would formalize an existing practice without changing election laws themselves.

Maddy summaryHB 17 would prohibit citizens of designated countries (China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or others named by the governor) from purchasing real property in Texas. It creates criminal penalties for violations, making such purchases illegal under state law. Exceptions apply to U.S. citizens, lawful residents, and businesses owned by them. The law would override existing property rights for these foreign buyers, directly affecting individuals and entities from designated countries seeking to buy land in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 4381 requires the Texas Education Agency to create a plain-language document in English and Spanish explaining parents' rights regarding their child's health information and decisions in public schools. The document must cover specific rights, including accessing health records (like counseling or immunization data), withholding consent for health activities, removing children from classes conflicting with religious beliefs, and opting out of certain screenings or vaccinations. School districts must post the document online and email it to all parents before the first day of each school year. The bill also authorizes administrative penalties for schools that fail to comply with these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 4156 establishes a process for creating a new school district by detaching a specific area from an existing district. It requires a petition signed by at least 20% of registered voters in each affected district, followed by a joint election where both the detached area and the remaining portions of the original districts must approve the change by majority vote. If approved, the new district is formed, and a board of seven trustees is appointed until the next regular election. This process directly affects residents in the detached territory and those remaining in the original districts, ensuring their consent through voting.

Maddy summaryHB 4198 requires Texas school districts to update their library collection policies every five years to prohibit certain materials, including harmful content (per Penal Code), sexually explicit material rated by vendors, and content containing indecent or profane material. The bill mandates that policies must recognize parents as primary decision-makers for student library access, require transparency in cataloging, and prevent removal of materials based solely on ideas or author background. School districts that fail to comply face a civil penalty. This applies directly to all public school districts managing library collections, including classroom and online resources.

Maddy summaryHB 4152 requires all Texas counties to use hand-marked scannable paper ballots for every election, replacing electronic voting systems. The bill mandates that counties implement this system by meeting specific requirements, including using computerized voter registration lists and demonstrating technological capability. It directly affects all Texas counties conducting elections by changing their voting equipment standards. The law modifies Election Code sections to specify that counties must adopt hand-marked paper ballots instead of direct recording electronic voting machines or ballot marking devices.

Maddy summaryHB 4208 requires Texas public schools to include fetal development instruction in the health curriculum for students at appropriate grade levels. The bill mandates teaching specific topics like human reproduction, pregnancy, infertility prevention, and trimester-by-trimester fetal growth, along with showing three publicly available videos: "Meet Baby Olivia," "A Glimpse Inside," and "The Miracle of Life" (PBS). It also requires schools to use materials referenced in Texas Health and Safety Code Section 171.014. This bill directly affects all Texas public school students in grades where health education is taught, as it would change required curriculum content under state education rules. The bill was introduced in March 2025 and referred to the Public Education committee.

Maddy summaryHB 3852 requires Texas public school districts to post specific immunization information on their websites and in written materials. School districts must list required and recommended vaccines in English and Spanish, include a direct link to the state health department’s exemption procedures, and ensure this information is presented in the same format as other immunization details. The bill applies to all public elementary and secondary schools starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It does not change vaccination requirements but ensures consistent, accessible information for families about immunization rules and exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 3907 requires Texas school districts to allocate 30% of any increase in the Foundation School Program's basic allotment toward compensation increases for non-administrative staff, down from the current 40%. The bill specifies that 75% of this 30% must be used for classroom teachers, librarians, school counselors, and nurses - with priority for teachers with over five years of experience - while the remaining 25% can be distributed at the district's discretion to other non-administrative staff. This change applies when a district's per-student funding under the program increases from the previous school year. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3958 would impose civil penalties on museums in Texas that display material deemed obscene or harmful under specific Penal Code sections (43.22-43.24). Museums violating these provisions would face fines of up to $500,000 per item displayed per day, plus costs and attorney fees. The Attorney General could sue to stop the display and require immediate removal of the material from public view. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, targeting museums that exhibit content violating existing state obscenity laws.