Rep. Will Metcalf

Maddy summaryHB 4229 changes how funds from saltwater fishing stamps must be used. It requires that all net receipts from these stamps (sold after September 1, 2025) be spent *only* on coastal fisheries management, including repairing hatcheries and facilities, restoring fish habitats, creating shoreline angler access points, and funding license buyback programs. The Parks and Wildlife Department must allocate these funds exclusively to these specified purposes. This bill does not affect funds collected before its effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 2391 requires Texas public schools and colleges to use the state's official definition of antisemitism (from Government Code Section 448.001, including its examples) when determining if a student's conduct violation under school rules was motivated by antisemitism. It applies to disciplinary actions taken by school districts and public institutions of higher education. The bill mandates schools consider this specific definition as "instructive" in such cases, without creating new penalties. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 3356 modifies reliability requirements for specific electric generation facilities in Texas' ERCOT power grid. It applies to facilities with a standard interconnection agreement that have operated for at least one year and are not self-generators. The bill changes the deadline for the first reliability demonstration from the original date to January 1, 2027, while repealing prior provisions related to this requirement. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting owners and operators of qualifying power plants in ERCOT.

Maddy summaryHB 1508 repeals Texas' franchise tax, which currently requires many businesses to pay taxes based on their revenue. It directly affects Texas businesses that pay this tax, eliminating their obligation to file reports or pay the tax after December 31, 2025, with the repeal taking effect January 1, 2026. The bill ensures that audits, penalties, or refunds related to franchise tax for periods before 2026 remain enforceable. It also preserves existing legal actions (like license revocations) taken under the old tax code before the repeal. This is a substantive tax policy change, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryHB 5346 establishes rules for when tolls must end on Texas toll roads. It requires tolls to stop automatically once a project’s costs are paid (via bond repayment or a trust fund), making the road part of the state highway system without tolls. Toll project entities may request a 5-year toll extension if voters approve it in an election held before the toll cessation date. This directly affects toll road operators, drivers using these roads, and local counties where toll projects are located. The bill creates a clear process for toll cessation or extension while ensuring voter input for any toll extension.

Maddy summaryHB 1093 modifies Texas Property Code requirements for self-service storage facilities seeking to sell tenant property to recover unpaid fees. It specifies that facilities must advertise sales through one of three methods: publishing in a local newspaper (with a 15-day wait), posting notices at the facility and five other visible locations (10-day wait), or using a public auction website (10-day wait). The bill defines "commercially reasonable notice" as requiring at least three registered bidders for the sale, regardless of location. This law applies only to new or renewed storage rental agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5347 requires new toll road projects in Texas to include at least one free frontage road lane in each direction of travel adjacent to the toll lanes. This applies only to toll projects with contracts signed after September 1, 2025, meaning existing toll projects remain unaffected. The entity building the toll road must construct and maintain these frontage roads, which will serve as free access options for drivers. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, aiming to provide non-toll alternatives along new toll corridors.

Maddy summaryHJR 6 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit Texas from taxing capital gains - profits from investments like stocks or real estate - whether the gains are realized (from a sale) or unrealized (while the asset is held). It directly affects individuals, families, estates, and trusts that earn investment income. The amendment explicitly excludes property taxes, sales taxes, and use taxes on goods/services from this prohibition. If approved by voters in November 2025, it would require future Texas legislation to comply with this constitutional restriction.

Maddy summaryHB 1696 would allow Texas residents with a valid concealed handgun license to add a visible indicator on their driver's license or commercial driver's license showing they are licensed to carry a handgun. The designation would include the handgun license number and the validity period, but only apply while the handgun license remains active. This changes how identification must be displayed when carrying a handgun, requiring either the license with the new indicator or both the standard license and separate handgun license. The bill directly affects Texans who hold concealed handgun licenses and choose to opt into this visible indicator.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) unwelcome at the Texas Capitol. It directly affects CAIR's access to state legislative facilities based on the resolution's stated reasons. The resolution cites alleged ties between CAIR and terrorist organizations (including Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood), FBI actions suspending contacts with CAIR, and specific legal cases involving CAIR associates convicted of terrorism-related offenses. The policy change is purely symbolic, establishing a formal statement of inaccessibility for CAIR at the Capitol without creating new legal requirements.