Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins

Maddy summaryHB 3221 adjusts school district contributions to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas for teachers who qualify for minimum salary under specific education code provisions. It requires districts to pay a monthly contribution equal to a percentage of the statutory minimum salary, with rates changing over time: 1.5% for 2014-2015, then gradually decreasing based on state contribution rate changes until 2019, and continuing with a rate tied to annual state contributions. The bill directly affects school districts and teachers meeting the minimum salary criteria, modifying their retirement funding structure. It applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, taking effect September 1, 2025, unless approved for immediate effect with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summaryHB 2806 increases criminal penalties for dog owners whose dogs cause injury or death through unprovoked attacks. It creates new offenses: a Class B misdemeanor for bodily injury, a third-degree felony for serious injury, and a second-degree felony if death occurs. The bill applies to owners who fail to secure dangerous dogs (as defined by law) or knowingly allow them to attack outside their property. Key provisions include requiring animal control authorities to determine if a dog is "dangerous" after incidents and adding confidentiality protections for witness statements provided during investigations. These changes directly affect dog owners and law enforcement handling dog attack cases under Texas Health and Safety Code.

Maddy summaryHB 1342 amends Texas law to change how tax-exempt private activity bonds are allocated for rental housing projects. It establishes two priority tiers for bond reservations: second priority for projects with binding construction contracts entered before application (requiring $500,000+ in pre-application spending), and third priority for projects with 50% of units reserved for tenants earning ≤50% of area median income (at 30% of that income level) and 50% for tenants earning ≤80% of area median income (at 30% of that level). The bill directly affects developers seeking bond financing to build or rehabilitate affordable rental housing. It focuses on concrete income thresholds and project timing requirements, without altering tenant eligibility or bond issuance rules beyond these priority mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHJR 138 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to prohibit the state legislature from imposing taxes based on the carbon content of fuels or emissions of carbon dioxide from goods and services. If approved by voters, it would prevent Texas from enacting any carbon tax policy. The bill failed to pass the Texas Legislature on May 12, 2025, so it did not advance to a voter referendum. This would have directly affected all Texans by blocking a potential state-level carbon tax mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 3223 shortens the time limit for lawsuits related to construction or repair defects on real property. It reduces the deadline from 10 years to 8 years after substantial completion for claims against architects, engineers, or contractors. If a written claim is submitted during this period, the deadline extends by two years (for most claims) or one year (for specific cases). This bill directly affects construction professionals and property owners by changing when legal action must be filed for defective work.

Maddy summaryHB 249 allows certain eligible homeowners in specific Texas counties to pay property taxes in installments instead of one lump sum. It directly affects: (1) disabled or 65+ residents with homestead exemptions, (2) disabled veterans or their unmarried surviving spouses with specific exemptions, and (3) residents in large-county areas (population >1.5 million, >70% in one municipality) qualifying for homestead exemptions. The bill amends the Tax Code to create this payment option, applying only to tax years beginning January 1, 2027, or later. It does not change exemption eligibility but provides a new payment flexibility for qualifying property owners.

Maddy summaryHB 1585 restricts where housing finance corporations in Texas can operate. It limits their area of operation based on their sponsoring local government: municipal sponsors must stay within the sponsoring city's boundaries, county sponsors are limited to unincorporated county areas, and multi-sponsor corporations can only operate within all sponsoring cities' boundaries and the unincorporated areas of all sponsoring counties. The bill amends Texas Local Government Code sections to clarify these geographic boundaries for all housing finance corporations. This directly affects housing finance corporations sponsored by cities, counties, or multiple local governments across Texas.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 3605 creates a franchise tax credit for Texas businesses that hire apprentices in broadband utility engineering or construction jobs. To qualify, businesses must employ at least one apprentice for three months in a certified apprenticeship program, provide specific training in skills like pole climbing or fiber splicing, and obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Texas Workforce Commission. The credit directly benefits taxable entities (businesses) in the broadband sector by reducing their franchise tax liability. It applies to apprentices working in roles classified under 2022 NAICS code 237130, requiring programs to meet U.S. Department of Labor standards or be registered under Texas Education Code Chapter 133. The bill is currently pending in committee after being favorably reported with a committee substitute.

Maddy summaryHB 4060 creates a local tax exemption for peace officers employed by a taxing unit (like a city or county). It allows these officers to receive a percentage-based exemption from property taxes on their primary residence homestead, depending on their years of service: 20% for 5-10 years, 40% for 10-15 years, 60% for 15-20 years, 80% for 20-25 years, or 100% for 25+ years. The exemption requires the local governing body to formally adopt it, and it applies only to property within the taxing unit where the officer is employed. This policy directly affects peace officers working for local governments who meet the service requirements.