Rep. Philip Cortez

Maddy summaryHB 2810 prohibits Texas local governments (including cities, counties, and districts) from using automated systems to enforce speed limit compliance on public roads. It amends the Transportation Code to ban governmental entities from implementing or operating automated traffic control systems for speed enforcement, with the attorney general responsible for enforcement. The bill defines "governmental entity" broadly to include all local jurisdictions and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects municipalities considering or using speed camera programs for traffic enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 2425 amends Texas law to clarify the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation's mission, focusing on providing housing for low, very low, and extremely low-income residents. The bill specifies that the corporation must prioritize loans and bonds for individuals and families earning no more than 60% of the state median income (or 60% of area median income adjusted for family size) for single-family homes, and requires 40% of multifamily units to be affordable at that income level or 20% at 50% of median income. It mandates that the corporation work with banks and lenders to direct affordable housing finance primarily to these income groups. The bill directly affects low-income Texans seeking housing assistance and the corporation's operations in administering affordable housing programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2084 updates Texas law to require all recreational vessels 16 feet or longer to carry wearable life jackets for every person on board, plus one throwable flotation device. It mandates that all passengers - including children under 13 - must wear a wearable life jacket while the vessel is underway, and prohibits operators from allowing children under 13 aboard without one. The bill clarifies that life belts or ring buoys do not meet the wearable life jacket requirement. These changes apply to recreational boaters statewide, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes February 19, 2025, as "Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It honors TAAHP (Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers), a 1997-founded organization representing housing professionals like developers, financiers, and property managers who advocate for affordable housing communities. The resolution extends a formal welcome to TAAHP's delegation visiting the Capitol that day. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy or legal effect - it is solely a ceremonial recognition of the organization's work.

Maddy summaryHB 2345 limits a municipality's authority to remove territory from an emergency services district and become the sole provider of emergency services in that area. It sets a specific expiration date of September 1, 2025, for this authority under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 775.022. The bill also clarifies that certain provisions of the Health and Safety Code apply to territory removed through disannexation, as if the territory had been annexed under standard procedures. This affects municipalities and emergency services districts across Texas, requiring them to adjust their service arrangements before the 2025 deadline. The bill does not change current service arrangements but mandates that the removal authority ends on a fixed date.

Maddy summaryHB 1932 would expand property tax exemptions for certain disabled veterans in Texas by lowering the required disability rating from 100% to 60% for full homestead exemption. It directly affects disabled veterans with at least 60% service-connected disability compensation (or individual unemployability) and their surviving spouses, allowing them to exempt the full value of their primary residence from ad valorem (property) taxes. The bill amends Texas Tax Code sections to update exemption criteria and requires local tax authorities to apply this exemption automatically. It would take effect January 1, 2026, but only if a related constitutional amendment passes in the 2025 election.

Maddy summaryHB 727 amends Texas law to adjust punishments for burglary of vehicles based on prior convictions and specific circumstances. It classifies the offense as a Class A misdemeanor (with a minimum six-month jail term if the defendant has one prior conviction), a state jail felony (if the defendant has two prior convictions or if aggravating factors like breaking into railcars, possessing a firearm, stealing a firearm, using a stolen vehicle, or targeting multiple vehicles occur), or a third-degree felony (if targeting drug distributor vehicles with intent to steal controlled substances or during certain other crimes). The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, leaving prior offenses governed by older law. It directly affects individuals convicted of vehicle burglary under these specific conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 548 increases penalties for vehicle burglary in Texas. It raises the offense from a state jail felony to a more serious felony classification for repeat offenders (two prior convictions) or when targeting rail cars or vehicles owned by prescription drug distributors. The bill also reduces required community supervision hours for these offenses from 600 to 400 hours. This directly affects individuals convicted of vehicle burglary, particularly those with prior offenses or who target specific high-value vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia and related disorders. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and other eligible organizations for research into dementia causes, prevention strategies, treatments, and symptom mitigation. It establishes oversight committees to manage grants, ensure compliance, and requires annual public reports detailing funded projects and recipients. The institute is set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless extended under Texas Sunset Act procedures.

Maddy summaryHJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. The bill would transfer $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026, for research, prevention, and treatment of dementia and related disorders. The institute would award grants to Texas research institutions, medical facilities, and collaboratives to develop treatments, prevention programs, and address access to care. This initiative directly affects Texans living with dementia and their families, as well as researchers and healthcare providers in the state.