Rep. Nate Schatzline

Maddy summaryHB 4047 requires election officials at polling places using electronic voting systems to provide a hand-marked paper ballot to any voter who requests one. This applies directly to voters at locations with electronic voting equipment who choose to use paper ballots instead of electronic devices. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, and does not apply to elections held before that date. It modifies Texas Election Code Section 125.0071 to mandate this paper ballot option upon voter request.

Maddy summaryHB 4059 requires Texas voters to declare their political party affiliation when registering to vote, adding it as a mandatory field in the registration application (amending Election Code §13.002(c)). This directly affects voters who wish to participate in a political party's primary election. The bill mandates that registration forms include a space for "political party affiliation, if any," and includes a perjury warning for false statements (amending §13.122(a)). It creates criminal penalties for providing false affiliation information and authorizes civil penalties, though specific penalty details aren't provided in the excerpt.

Maddy summaryHB 3957 prohibits health care providers and facilities in Texas from denying treatment, services, or discriminating against children based on their immunization status for infectious or communicable diseases. It specifically bans doctors, nurses, and health care facilities from refusing care or creating policies that deny services due to a child's vaccination status, except during declared public health emergencies. The bill requires health care facilities to post clear notices about non-discrimination rights and allows parents to file complaints with state agencies (like the Texas Medical Board) for violations, with administrative penalties for repeated offenses. This law directly affects all health care providers serving children in Texas and aims to prevent discrimination in medical settings.

Maddy summaryHB 4040 prohibits Texas public school districts from implementing or funding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. It bans activities such as using public funds for DEI training, creating DEI-based curricula, hosting racially exclusive events, giving preferential treatment in discipline based on race, and using restorative justice approaches. The bill requires school districts to promote a "colorblind meritocracy" ensuring equal treatment for all students regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or nationality. School boards and employees are also barred from attending DEI-focused conferences or adopting policies supporting DEI practices. This legislation directly affects all Texas public school districts and their personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 4043 amends Texas property tax law to allow appraisal districts to reappraise property immediately following a change in ownership, in addition to the existing requirement of reappraising all property at least once every three years. The bill directly affects property owners who transfer ownership (e.g., through sale or inheritance) and appraisal districts responsible for tax assessments. Key provisions include adding an exception to the standard three-year reappraisal cycle for ownership transfers while maintaining the baseline three-year requirement for all other properties. This change aims to ensure property values reflect current ownership circumstances without waiting for the next scheduled reappraisal cycle.

Maddy summaryHB 3934 prohibits Texas state agencies, local governments, and law enforcement from assisting federal agencies in enforcing certain federal gun regulations. It specifically blocks cooperation on federal requirements like gun registries, licensing for ownership, background checks for private sales, or confiscation of firearms from law-abiding owners. The bill also establishes new state protections for the right to bear arms through a new Government Code chapter. It applies to all Texas governmental entities, including counties, cities, and state departments.

Maddy summaryHB 4100 protects healthcare providers from retaliation when reporting certain issues related to patient care. It prohibits health care facilities, government entities, or others from taking adverse actions (like termination or demotion) against physicians or providers who report violations such as unsafe treatment practices, public health risks, mismanagement of funds, or abuse of authority. The bill creates a civil remedy, allowing affected providers to sue for damages if retaliation occurs. It applies broadly to all healthcare workers covered under the definition, including nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and medical students. The law aims to encourage reporting of serious concerns without fear of professional consequences.

Maddy summaryHB 3759 allows designated emergency infant care providers (like hospitals) to take possession of babies under one year old without a court order if: (1) the parent leaves the baby with staff or in a newborn safety device at the facility, and (2) the parent does not state they intend to return. The bill automatically terminates the parent’s parental rights upon this delivery, as the parent is deemed to have "voluntarily relinquished" those rights. This policy change applies specifically to infants left at designated providers under these conditions, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3842 prohibits governmental entities - including schools, state agencies, courts, and local governments - from displaying an LGBTQ flag in buildings or on property they own or control (such as classrooms). It allows individuals to wear small personal items like pins or clothing with an LGBTQ flag but bans the display of the flag itself in official settings. School districts must investigate violations and may sanction employees, while the education commissioner could withhold funding for noncompliant districts. The bill explicitly states it does not restrict First Amendment-protected speech or behavior outside official duties.

Maddy summaryHB 3615 restricts certain Texas public entities from using taxpayer funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofit organizations that hire lobbyists. It applies to political subdivisions (like cities and counties), special districts (including transit and tollway authorities), public universities, community colleges, and utility entities. The bill prohibits spending public money for lobbying activities but allows employees to provide information to lawmakers, testify, or communicate directly with legislators if such actions don’t require lobbyist registration. It also permits reimbursing travel expenses for these permitted activities. The bill is currently in committee referral.