Rep. Venton Jones

Maddy summaryHB 2777 would prohibit the death penalty for defendants found to have had "severe mental illness" (defined as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with active psychotic symptoms impairing judgment or understanding of wrongfulness) at the time of a capital offense. The bill requires defendants to file a 30-day notice before trial to present evidence of this condition, which they must prove by "clear and convincing evidence." If notice is not filed, such evidence becomes inadmissible unless the court finds "good cause" for the delay. The law would directly affect defendants in Texas capital cases who qualify under this mental health definition, altering sentencing eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 1367 would allow Texas counties to create a $100,000 property tax exemption for homeowners' primary residences, adopted by county commissioners courts before July 1 each year. The exemption applies only to the county's portion of property taxes (not school or other taxes) and cannot exceed $100,000 per home. This bill requires voter approval of a related constitutional amendment in 2025 to take effect, with implementation beginning January 2026. It directly affects homeowners in counties that choose to adopt this exemption, reducing their county property tax burden.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment (HJR 96) that would allow Texas county commissioners courts to exempt up to $100,000 of a homeowner's primary residence homestead's appraised value from county property taxes. It directly affects homeowners who qualify for this exemption, in addition to any other existing tax exemptions they may receive. The amendment requires voter approval in a November 2025 election and would take effect for the 2026 tax year, with a temporary provision expiring January 2027. If approved, counties could implement this dollar-based exemption without changing how they calculate tax rates.

Maddy summaryHR 1023 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Christian Gbaranen Birabil, a neuroscientist and former University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center researcher who died in March 2025. The Texas House of Representatives passed this resolution to pay tribute to his life, career, and family, including his daughter (former State Representative Lorraine Burata Birabil) and grandchildren. It does not create new laws or affect policy; it is a formal expression of respect. The resolution was adopted on May 2, 2025, and includes a copy for his family.

Maddy summaryHB 1463 requires tire manufacturers to submit unique identification data within 30 days of production and mandates electronic manifests for scrap tire transporters and storage facilities. It authorizes counties to charge a $5 fee per tire disposal, with $0.50 of each fee transferred to the state environmental agency. The bill also establishes fines up to $500 per improperly disposed tire for transporters and generators using unregistered services. This legislation directly affects tire manufacturers, transporters, storage facilities, and county governments managing tire waste.

Maddy summaryHB 3618 requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to create policies governing searches of female inmates. It mandates that searches involving unclothed female inmates must be conducted by a female officer when available, and if a male officer must conduct such a search, they must submit a written report within 72 hours. The bill also limits visual body cavity searches (a visual inspection of genital or anal areas with clothing removed) to only "exigent circumstances" like immediate security threats - not routine program access like education or rehabilitation. These policies apply directly to female inmates in TDCJ facilities and must be adopted by September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2341 creates a new system for awarding time credits to defendants confined in state jail facilities for felony offenses. Instead of "good conduct time," it allows defendants who actively participate in approved educational, vocational, treatment, or work programs to earn time off their sentence. The credit equals one day of sentence reduction for each day spent in these programs, but cannot exceed 20% of the original sentence and is denied for defendants with disciplinary issues. This change applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, replacing previous provisions (Articles 42.0199 and 42A.559(g)).

Maddy summaryHB 1203 creates a new "Office of Food System Security and Resiliency" within the Texas Department of Agriculture to coordinate state efforts ensuring reliable food access and preventing disruptions in Texas' food supply chain. The office will work with local governments, schools, and food industry professionals to develop regional food security plans, promote local agricultural production (farm-to-store/table), and expand food access points by connecting producers with retailers and communities. It must submit annual recommendations to the legislature by December 1 of even-numbered years and manage the existing Texas Food System Security and Resiliency Planning Council. The office must be established by December 31, 2025, and the law takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas farmers, food distributors, local governments, and residents seeking stable food access.

Maddy summaryHB 36, the Sharon Radebaugh Family Violence Protection Act, requires courts to mandate GPS tracking devices for high-risk defendants charged with family violence offenses as a condition of bond. The bill also establishes that defendants may be charged a fee to cover the cost of the GPS monitoring system and requires courts to collect data on bond conditions in family violence and certain other criminal cases. This directly affects defendants facing family violence charges (who may wear GPS devices), victims (who may receive related resources), and courts (which must track bond conditions). The law aims to enhance victim safety through stricter offender monitoring and data collection, without specifying new victim services beyond the data collection requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 1400 creates a new groundwater science, research, and innovation fund administered by the Texas Water Development Board. The fund provides grants to groundwater conservation districts for projects focused on improving local groundwater understanding, developing better groundwater models, increasing water conservation efficiency, boosting recharge, and protecting water quality. Funds come from state appropriations, transfers, investment returns, and donations. This bill directly affects groundwater districts by enabling them to access state funding for science-based management initiatives.