Rep. Mike Schofield

Maddy summaryHB 15 would modify Texas business law to strengthen the state's control over domestic business entities. It requires that internal disputes (like shareholder disagreements) must be resolved in Texas courts only, and allows companies to include in their governing documents a waiver of jury trials for such claims. This applies to all Texas-formed businesses (corporations, LLCs, etc.) and prevents other states' laws from overriding Texas business regulations. The bill does not change how businesses are formed but dictates where internal legal conflicts must be handled. The law would take effect if passed, making Texas the exclusive venue for internal business disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 2322 sets specific annual base salary amounts for Texas judges, directly affecting district judges, appeals court justices, and supreme court justices. It establishes a minimum $140,000 state base salary for district judges (capped at $5,000 below appeals court chief justice salaries), 110% of district judge pay for most appeals court justices (with a $5,000 cap), and 120% for supreme court justices, while providing a $2,500 premium for chief justices. The bill also introduces a new annual adjustment formula requiring salaries to increase by the prior biennium's amount plus a percentage based on average salary growth. All salary calculations include caps on combined state and county pay to prevent exceeding specific thresholds for higher courts.

Maddy summaryHB 4726 prohibits organizations from providing homeless services within 1,000 feet of public/private primary/secondary school campuses, residential areas, or public parks. Homeless services include shelter, meals, medical care, job training, and mental health treatment. Violating this prohibition makes an organization ineligible for state business licenses or permits. The bill excludes overnight shelters for homeless individuals from this restriction and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2986 amends Texas law to clarify appellate court authority during civil appeals. It allows appellate courts to lift a stay (temporary halt to proceedings) on a party's request if the court determines it's necessary to prevent irreparable harm to a party or the public. This specifically applies to interlocutory appeals (appeals taken before a final judgment) and gives courts discretion to act quickly in urgent cases. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025. It directly affects civil litigants and appellate courts handling cases where immediate harm could occur while appeals are pending.

Maddy summaryHB 3415 regulates advertising practices by health professionals in Texas. It prohibits false or misleading claims, such as unverified service comparisons, using deceptive titles (e.g., falsely implying specialty certifications), or exploiting patient fears. The bill requires all advertising to include the professional’s name and proper identification, and violations may result in administrative penalties like fines. It directly affects doctors, therapists, and other licensed health professionals who market their services. The law aims to ensure advertising is clear, factual, and transparent for consumers.

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 summaryHJR 215 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Texas lawmakers to create a property tax credit for owners of real estate occupied without their consent. This would directly affect property owners who face unauthorized occupancy, such as trespassers or squatters. The amendment would let the legislature establish eligibility rules and calculate credit amounts through regular laws. If approved by voters in November 2025, it would enable future legislation to provide this tax relief. The bill itself does not create the credit but authorizes its potential future implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 5522 makes unauthorized occupancy of real property a criminal offense, defining it as occupying property without the owner's consent when the occupant knows they lack permission. Property owners gain new legal tools, including the ability to seek court orders to remove occupants and compel prosecutors to act on violations. The bill also creates a tax credit for property owners whose property was occupied without consent, reducing ad valorem taxes based on the duration of the unauthorized occupancy (up to six months). This directly affects property owners seeking remedies against squatters and occupants entering property without authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows sheriffs and constables in Texas counties with populations of 3.3 million or more to contract directly with local entities - such as homeowner associations, businesses, or property owners - to provide law enforcement services in specific areas they control (e.g., neighborhoods or commercial zones they own or manage). It explicitly prohibits county commissioners courts from blocking these contracts or dictating their terms. The law applies only to Texas’ largest counties, including Harris, Dallas, and Tarrant. It clarifies existing authority without creating new funding or altering standard law enforcement responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHB 5477 expands which court decisions in Texas can be appealed before a trial concludes. It adds 15 specific types of orders eligible for interlocutory appeal, including denials of motions related to media liability under free speech protections (Section 73), medical malpractice cases (Section 74.351), electric utility liability (Section 75.0022), and certain municipal lawsuits. This primarily affects litigants in civil cases involving these specific legal issues, allowing them to challenge rulings earlier in the process. For most of these appeals, the trial is automatically stayed (paused) until the appeal is resolved.