Rep. Will Metcalf

Maddy summarySJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow judges to deny bail to individuals accused of certain violent or sexual offenses punishable as first-degree felonies, or continuous human trafficking. It directly affects people facing these specific charges by requiring judges to find, by clear and convincing evidence, that bail would not ensure court appearance or community safety. Key provisions include mandating written orders with specific findings for bail denials and requiring judges to consider standard bail factors under existing law. The amendment must be approved by voters in November 2025 to take effect, as it is a proposed constitutional change rather than an immediate law.

Maddy summaryHCR 166 is a procedural resolution correcting technical errors in House Bill 4187. It directs the House enrolling clerk to: (1) change a reference from "442.034" to "442.0062" in Section 2166.504 of the Government Code, and (2) replace Section 15 with a revised text clarifying the Texas Historical Commission's responsibility for historical markers. This resolution does not alter policy or affect any stakeholders - it only fixes wording in another bill to ensure accuracy before final enactment. The resolution was signed by both chambers and filed with the Secretary of State on June 2, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2053 creates the Governor's Medal of Service award to honor Texas residents who have made extraordinary contributions to the state. It specifically recognizes: (1) individuals who retired from public service in state or local government, (2) private sector workers with exceptional community impact, or (3) Texas legislators with significant service. The governor may award up to two medals annually, and the governor’s office can accept donations to fund the program. The award takes effect September 1, 2025, and is purely ceremonial with no policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill consolidates Texas nonresident hunting license categories by removing outdated terms like "nonresident special" and standardizing them as "nonresident hunting license" throughout the Parks and Wildlife Code. It sets a $100.75 fee for the general nonresident license (or higher if set by the commission) and clarifies that a nonresident five-day hunting license fee cannot exceed 50% of the general license fee. The bill repeals redundant sections (42.014, 42.0142, 42.0144) and prohibits nonresidents from holding multiple general licenses or combining general and spring turkey licenses in a single year. It directly affects nonresident hunters seeking to hunt in Texas, simplifying license requirements and fees effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 402 allows Texas property owners to request that their ad valorem (property) tax refunds be mailed to a different address than the one listed on the appraisal roll. Property owners must submit a written request using a form provided by the comptroller before the refund is issued, and the tax collector must then send the refund to the requested address. The bill requires the form to include a warning about penalties for false statements under Texas law. This change applies only to requests filed on or after September 1, 2025, with older requests following prior rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2596 expands protective order eligibility in Texas to include victims of specific burglary offenses (those punishable under Penal Code Section 30.02(c)(2) or (d)). It requires prosecutors to automatically file protective order applications for these victims after a defendant’s conviction or deferred adjudication. The bill also allows courts to issue temporary protective orders without a hearing if there’s a clear danger of harm. This change applies directly to burglary victims and modifies Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 7B.001, 7B.002, and 7B.003. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2003 requires entities proposing high-speed rail projects in Texas to annually submit detailed financial and operational information to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This includes financing methods, cost projections, construction timelines, ridership estimates, and foreign investment disclosures. TxDOT must then make all submitted data publicly accessible on its website. The bill directly affects companies or organizations planning high-speed rail projects within Texas, mandating transparency about their financial and operational plans.

Maddy summaryHB 5138 shifts responsibility for prosecuting election-related crimes from local prosecutors to the Texas Attorney General's office. It requires law enforcement agencies to report election law violations to the Attorney General and mandates that local prosecutors cooperate with the AG’s office. The bill creates new provisions in the Government Code (Subchapter D) and amends the Election Code to give the Attorney General sole authority to prosecute such offenses, effective September 1, 2026. This directly affects local law enforcement, county prosecutors, and the Attorney General’s office by centralizing prosecution authority for election crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 3809 requires lease agreements for battery energy storage facilities (like large-scale battery systems) to include specific terms about removal. It mandates that the operator (called a "grantee") must remove all equipment and restore the land to its original condition when the lease ends, covering all associated costs. This directly affects landowners leasing property to battery storage operators and the operators themselves, who must now include these removal obligations in their agreements. The law creates new rules under Texas Utilities Code Chapter 303 to ensure facilities are properly decommissioned, without changing how the storage systems operate during their active use.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a split-payment option for local property taxes (ad valorem taxes) in Texas. Property owners can pay half their annual tax bill by December 1 (or by the first day of the next month if tax bills are mailed after November 30) and the remaining half by July 1 of the following year, without penalties or interest. The adjustment for mailed tax bills after November 30 ensures the first payment deadline aligns with when property owners actually receive their bills. This change applies to property taxes for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.