Rep. Valoree Swanson

Maddy summarySJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Texas school district property tax exemptions for elderly or disabled homeowners. Currently, the exemption for these residents is $10,000; this bill would raise it to $60,000 of a home's market value. The amendment would allow the legislature to adjust this exemption amount, with provisions ensuring eligible individuals (65+ or disabled) cannot receive both the basic exemption and this enhanced benefit. It directly affects Texas homeowners aged 65 or older or with disabilities who own their primary residence. The bill requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.

Maddy summarySJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead exemption for school district property taxes in Texas from $100,000 to $140,000. This change would directly reduce the taxable value of a primary residence for school taxes, lowering property tax bills for homeowners. The amendment requires voter approval in a November 2025 election to take effect for the 2025 tax year. If passed, it would provide an additional $40,000 in tax relief on primary homes for school funding purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 610 limits severance payments to school superintendents in Texas school districts to no more than six months' salary and benefits. It requires school boards to report such payments to the state commissioner and mandates that any amount exceeding this cap reduces the district's state education funding. The law applies only to severance agreements entered into on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), leaving pre-existing agreements unaffected. This bill directly affects school districts and superintendents by setting a clear financial boundary for termination payments and linking them to state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 293 requires developers applying for low-income housing tax credits on projects funded through private activity bonds to notify their state representative and local governing bodies (municipal council or county commissioners court) before submitting applications. The bill adds a new provision stating that if the state representative for the project's district submits an opposing letter to the Texas Department of Housing, the application cannot be approved. This directly affects housing developers seeking tax credits for projects using private activity bonds, particularly those in areas outside city limits or within a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction. The changes apply only to applications submitted during the 2026 or later qualified allocation plan cycles.

Maddy summarySB 1541 gives Texas' Secretary of State the authority to impose state oversight on county election offices in counties with over 4 million residents when recurring election problems are found. This applies after a complaint is filed by candidates, party officials, or judges, the county is notified, and an investigation confirms repeated issues like voting machine malfunctions, ballot counting errors, or violations of election laws. The Secretary must decide within 30 days whether to implement oversight. The bill directly affects large-county election administration, creating a formal process for state intervention without requiring a full election audit.

Maddy summaryHB 1201 creates a two-year Medicaid pilot program in Texas to cover doula services for eligible pregnant individuals. The program, launching in 2026 in the most populous county and the county with the highest maternal health needs, provides nonmedical childbirth support like emotional and physical coaching during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum. The Health and Human Services Commission must report annually on costs and birth outcomes, and submit a final evaluation by 2030 to determine if the program should continue or expand. The pilot expires September 1, 2031, after which coverage would not automatically continue.

Maddy summarySB 530 limits how many credit hours Texas public colleges and universities can require students to complete for associate and bachelor's degrees beyond the minimum set by their institution's accrediting agency. It ensures students transferring between public institutions receive credit for completed courses in similar programs, unless required by their accrediting agency. The bill also requires universities to maintain accreditation by a recognized agency to operate as general academic institutions. These changes apply to all public higher education institutions in Texas and take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to exempt up to $125,000 of the market value of business-used tangible personal property (like equipment or vehicles) from property tax. It would directly affect business owners who hold such property for income generation, such as small business operators or farmers. The amendment would revise the state constitution to authorize this specific exemption amount, replacing the current exemption structure. If approved by voters in November 2025, this would become a permanent constitutional provision enabling future legislation to implement the tax break. The bill is now headed to the November ballot after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryHCR 109 is a concurrent resolution authorizing the State Preservation Board to approve constructing a replica of the National Life Monument at the Texas State Capitol Complex. The resolution specifies the monument must be placed outside historic Capitol grounds, comply with existing laws (including private funding and size limitations), and follow board procedures. It directly affects the State Preservation Board’s approval process and the public, who would gain access to the monument. As a procedural resolution (not a bill), it does not create new laws but facilitates a specific monument installation.

Maddy summaryHB 2638 designates Farm-to-Market Road 10 in Panola County as the "Deputy Sheriff Chris Dickerson Memorial Highway" under Texas Transportation Code. The bill requires the state transportation department to install markers at both ends of the road and at appropriate intermediate locations along its route. This commemorative designation, honoring a specific deputy sheriff, does not alter road maintenance or create new transportation policies. It is a standard memorial road designation with no other substantive provisions.