Rep. Angie Button

Maddy summaryHB 135 exempts the purchase and sale of game animals (such as deer and elk) and exotic animals (like reptiles or big cats) from Texas sales and use taxes. This means businesses and individuals involved in trading these animals - such as breeders, pet stores, or hunters - no longer pay state sales tax on these transactions. The bill amends the Texas Tax Code to add these animals as a new category of exempt items, similar to existing agricultural exemptions for feed or farm equipment. This directly reduces tax costs for the wildlife trade and pet industries while aligning with broader agricultural tax policies.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax credits for businesses subject to Texas insurance tax that make cash investments in approved rural development funds. The credits apply to investments supporting rural small businesses located outside cities over 50,000 people or in USDA-designated rural areas. For loans to these businesses, the fund must verify the business was denied financing by a commercial bank or referred by one. The law defines "growth investment" as equity or loans with specific terms, including minimum five-year maturity for debt instruments.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas tax code to allow registered securities market operators (such as stock exchanges) to exclude specific "transaction rebate payments" from their taxable revenue. These payments incentivize brokers or dealers to provide market liquidity during securities transactions. The exclusion applies only to payments meeting federal definitions under SEC/CFTC regulation, as defined in the bill. The change takes effect for tax returns filed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2271 requires day-care centers, group day-care homes, and family homes in Texas to submit their capacity limits and current enrollment data (broken down by age group) to the Texas Workforce Commission. The commission must then publish this information on a public child care availability portal, allowing parents to easily find facilities with open spots in their area. Providers must update this data within 30 days of any change in enrollment or capacity. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies directly to all regulated childcare facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 4688 modifies Texas law for civil liability cases involving commercial motor vehicle accidents. It restricts when evidence of regulatory violations (like safety rules) can be used in court, requiring such evidence to directly link the violation to the injury and show the rule specifically applied to the situation. The bill also limits claims against employers for driver negligence unless the employer first admits the driver was acting within their job duties at the time of the accident. These changes apply only to cases filed or tried after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryHR 909 is a ceremonial resolution introduced by Representative Button recognizing May 2025 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Texas. It formally acknowledges the cultural contributions of Texas residents with Asian or Pacific Islander ancestry, referencing historical milestones like the arrival of Japanese immigrants in 1843 and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad by Chinese laborers in 1869. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official state observance to celebrate these communities' heritage. It directly affects Texas residents by affirming their cultural identity through the legislature's recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 32 clarifies eviction procedures in Texas by updating Property Code rules. It requires landlords to give tenants at least three days' written notice before filing eviction suits for nonpayment of rent (unless a lease specifies otherwise). The bill also limits courts to deciding actual possession rights - not property title - in eviction cases and prohibits adding counterclaims or third parties to these suits. Additionally, it states only the Texas legislature can change these eviction procedures. This bill directly affects landlords, tenants, and justice courts handling eviction cases.

Maddy summaryHB 1268 creates the Texas Technology and Innovation Program to help Texas businesses access federal funding for technology development. The program matches or supplements money businesses receive through federal small business innovation programs (like those under 15 U.S.C. § 638), specifically targeting eligible Texas-based companies. To qualify, businesses must be organized in Texas, maintain a Texas headquarters or facility, employ most workers in Texas, and already qualify for federal funding without concurrent state support. The bill outlines application requirements, including certification of eligibility and documentation of federal funding stages (like "phase zero" or "phase one" of federal processes).

Maddy summarySB 262 updates Texas's requirements for becoming a licensed public accountant (CPA). It mandates that applicants must either complete 150 academic hours with an accounting focus or earn a bachelor's degree in accounting (both meeting board standards), pass the CPA exam, fulfill work experience requirements (including two years for degree holders), and pass a professional conduct exam. The bill also revises reciprocity rules to allow Texas to accept CPA exam credits from other states if administered by standard bodies like AICPA or NASBA and if the applicant met prior state requirements. These changes take effect September 1, 2025, and apply to all new applicants seeking a Texas CPA certificate.