Rep. Philip Cortez

Maddy summaryHB 3345 allows certain Texas counties with populations under 700,000 to increase an optional fee on vehicle registrations up to $20, but only if approved by a majority of voters in a special referendum election. This bill directly affects counties meeting the population threshold, giving them a new option to raise local revenue for transportation funding. The key mechanism requires commissioners courts to hold a voter-approved referendum before implementing the fee increase. The law would take effect on September 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 945), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally honors Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025, recognizing his life, leadership as the first Latin American pope, and global efforts to serve the vulnerable. The resolution memorializes his legacy, including his work during Argentina's economic crisis, interfaith initiatives, and pandemic-era outreach. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express collective remembrance.

Maddy summaryHB 805 requires the Texas Public Utility Commission to study existing and potential new electric transmission interconnections between Texas and Mexico. The study must examine impacts on power networks and retail customers in both Texas and Mexico. The Commission must submit a report to the legislature by September 1, 2026, and the bill expires December 31, 2026. This procedural bill focuses on gathering data about cross-border energy infrastructure without making policy changes.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided context, no substantive bill text or summary is available for HB 2433. The bill title indicates it relates to hotel occupancy tax collection by accommodations intermediaries (like online booking platforms), but the actual provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are not described in the materials provided. The "Bill Text" section states it is "not currently available" and directs users to a PDF that is also unavailable. Without the full text or a substantive summary, a factual description of the bill's policy changes cannot be generated.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a down payment assistance grant program specifically for Texas veterans purchasing new manufactured homes. It uses dedicated sales and use tax revenue (from Section 158.059 of the Tax Code) to fund the program, administered by a state board. Eligible veterans must use the home as their primary residence for three years, with exceptions for death, job loss, or home condemnation allowing waivers. The program prohibits transferring or selling the home during this period without board approval, and requires repayment if eligibility rules are violated.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas to recognize valid handgun licenses issued by other states, directly affecting out-of-state license holders and Texas law enforcement. It mandates recognition if the other state either has a reciprocal agreement with Texas or conducts background checks through FBI databases (National Crime Information Center and Interstate Identification Index) before issuing licenses. Texas will publish an annual list of states recognizing Texas licenses. The bill repeals prior requirements for out-of-state license recognition and takes effect September 1, 2025, unless approved for immediate effect by a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summaryHB 8 reduces the maximum tax rate school districts can collect for the 2025-2026 school year by $0.0331, calculated using a new method in Section 48.2554 of the Education Code. It directly affects all Texas public school districts by adjusting how their maximum tax rates are determined, ensuring rates don’t drop below 90% of neighboring districts’ rates. The bill updates references to "maximum compressed tax rate" in multiple education funding laws to reflect this change and expires on September 1, 2027. It takes effect September 1, 2025, with no additional funding or program changes beyond the tax rate adjustment.

Maddy summaryHB 5369 revises Texas law to lower the cost threshold for exempting certain public projects from engineering licensing requirements under the Texas Engineering Practice Act. Specifically, it reduces the exemption limit for non-electrical/mechanical public works from $100,000 to $20,000, while keeping the $8,000 limit for electrical or mechanical projects. This change directly affects local governments and contractors working on small public projects (like road maintenance or minor improvements) that fall under these cost thresholds. The bill applies only to projects initiated on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided context, no substantive text for HB 44 is available (the bill text section states "This version is not currently available, but is coming soon"). The bill's title indicates it relates to abortion exceptions based on a physician's medical judgment, but the actual provisions, scope, and affected parties are not described in the provided materials. The bill is in early stages (read first time, pending in committee) but no concrete policy details are accessible. For an accurate summary, the full bill text or official summary would be required.