Rep. Mark Dorazio

Maddy summaryHB 186 restricts how local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) can use public funds for lobbying. It prohibits spending public money to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofit groups that represent local governments and employ lobbyists. Exceptions include activities by elected officials, employees providing information to legislators, travel expenses for such activities, and services by associations representing sheriffs or law enforcement. The bill allows taxpayers to sue to stop prohibited spending and recover legal fees if they win. This directly affects local government budget decisions regarding legislative advocacy.

Maddy summaryHB 239 modifies Texas property tax rules for land affected by animal health quarantines. It allows landowners to request a reappraisal of their property during active Texas Animal Health Commission quarantines (lasting 90+ days) for ticks or screwworms. The bill caps the reassessed value at half the original appraised value or the current market value, whichever is lower, to account for reduced land usability during the quarantine. This directly affects Texas agricultural landowners whose properties are under such quarantine orders, providing temporary tax relief while the quarantine remains in effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 240) aims to clarify specific definitions related to the tax exemption for farm products sold by producers. It directly affects agricultural producers who sell farm products, as it would define terms to determine eligibility for exemption from ad valorem (property) taxes on those products. The bill does not describe new tax rates or financial impacts but focuses on standardizing terminology to streamline the existing exemption process. However, the actual bill text is not currently available in the provided context, so specific definitions or mechanisms cannot be detailed. The bill was filed on August 18, 2025, and referred to the Ways & Means committee.

Maddy summaryHB 52, titled the Texas Women's Privacy Act, requires certain facilities - including restrooms, locker rooms, shelters, correctional facilities, and colleges - to be designated for use based on biological sex (male or female) as defined by reproductive anatomy. The bill authorizes civil penalties for violations and allows private lawsuits to enforce compliance. It specifically applies to "multiple-occupancy private spaces" like shared restrooms and "family violence shelters," but excludes state agencies. The law defines "female" as individuals with a reproductive system for egg production and "male" as those with a system for sperm production.

Maddy summaryHB 167 restricts local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofits that lobby on their behalf. It prohibits spending taxpayer money to contract with registered lobbyists or support organizations representing local governments that employ lobbyists, though exceptions exist for direct communication by government employees or advocacy by elected officials. The bill allows reimbursement for travel expenses related to permitted activities and lets taxpayers sue to stop violations and recover legal fees. It directly affects how local governments allocate public funds for legislative advocacy efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 115 restricts Texas local governments (like cities and counties) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay organizations that hire lobbyists to influence state legislation. The bill specifically prohibits spending public money to contract with registered lobbyists or fund associations primarily representing local governments if those associations employ registered lobbyists, with exceptions for sheriffs' associations and certain staff activities. It allows local government employees to provide information to lawmakers, advocate for policies without registering as lobbyists, and cover direct travel expenses for such activities. Taxpayers or residents can sue to stop prohibited spending and recover legal fees if they win the case. The law aims to prevent public funds from being used to directly lobby the state legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 154 requires Texas state agencies to use the terms "Judea and Samaria" (or "Judea" for land south of Jerusalem, "Samaria" for land north of Jerusalem) instead of "West Bank" in all official communications. It directly affects all Texas state agencies, including departments and commissions, by mandating this terminology change in rules, press releases, and other official statements. The bill prohibits using "West Bank" except when an agency head determines it serves Texas's interests and provides a written explanation to the legislature or governor within 30 days. This is a procedural change focused solely on terminology, not policy or land status.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Governor Greg Abbott to return federal reconciliation funds to Texas taxpayers by implementing property tax relief. The Texas House of Representatives passed this non-binding resolution to formally request the Governor use the funds for property tax cuts, directing the chief clerk to forward a copy to the Governor's office. It does not require legal action or change existing tax policy, as resolutions like this serve only as a formal expression of legislative opinion.

Maddy summaryHB 162 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities or counties) from using eminent domain to acquire property outside their own boundaries. The bill adds a new provision (Section 2206.003) to the Government Code stating that political subdivisions "may not take through eminent domain public or private property located outside the political subdivision's boundaries." This directly affects local governments seeking to acquire land for projects beyond their jurisdictional limits. The law creates a clear restriction on eminent domain use, overriding prior allowances that permitted such acquisitions outside boundaries.

Maddy summaryHB 280 prohibits allocating low-income housing tax credits for new developments in municipalities or counties where housing tax credits or private activity bonds already support more than twice the state average of units per capita. This directly affects developers seeking tax credits for new projects in areas already saturated with subsidized housing. The law blocks applications for such developments unless the applicant obtains prior approval from the department. The provision aims to limit new allocations in locations with high existing concentrations of credit-supported housing.