Rep. Will Metcalf

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would allow Texas lawmakers to limit how much commercial property owners pay in annual property taxes. It would authorize the legislature to set a cap at 110% (or a higher percentage) of a property's previous year's appraised value for commercial real estate meeting specific eligibility criteria. The cap would apply only to properties with a market value below a legislated threshold and would expire if ownership changes or the property ceases to be commercial. The amendment must be approved by voters in November 2025 before such tax limits could be enacted.

Maddy summaryHJR 22 rescinds a 2017 provision that automatically canceled Texas's applications to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution after eight years. This change prevents Texas's current applications from expiring automatically, allowing them to remain active indefinitely. The bill directly affects Texas's ability to maintain its position in the process of proposing constitutional amendments through a national convention. It modifies existing procedural rules without creating new applications or altering Texas's stance on constitutional conventions.

Maddy summaryHJR 39 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Texas legislature to set a lower annual cap on how much a homestead property's taxable value can increase for property tax purposes. If approved, it would let lawmakers limit the appraised value of a primary residence to the lesser of its most recent market value or 105% (or a higher percentage) of its previous year's appraised value. This would directly affect homeowners who qualify for the homestead exemption under Texas law, as the cap would take effect after they first qualify for the exemption and expire if they later lose eligibility. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election before taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to make permanent a limit on property tax appraisals for non-homestead real estate (like commercial or investment properties). It repeals a current constitutional provision that would expire, allowing Texas lawmakers to eliminate the temporary nature of this tax cap. If approved by voters in November 2025, it would directly affect non-homestead property owners by stabilizing their tax rates based on a fixed appraisal value limit.

Maddy summaryHB 515 requires Texas public school districts to adopt written policies banning student use of personal electronic devices (like smartphones) during school hours. Students must store devices in lockable containers provided by the district, with exceptions for medical needs requiring written documentation from a healthcare provider. Districts must also report on policy effectiveness to the Texas Education Agency, including impacts on student behavior, mental health, and feedback from students and staff. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 356 would limit annual increases in property taxes for Texas homeowners with homestead exemptions (primary residences). It sets a new cap of 10% on how much a home's taxable value can rise each year, calculated as 10% of last year's value plus last year's value plus any new improvements. This change would apply only to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in 2025. The bill directly affects homeowners with homestead exemptions by restricting annual tax increases tied to property value.

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 344 is unavailable in the provided context, with a placeholder noting "This version is not currently available, but is coming soon." No specific provisions, affected parties, or policy mechanisms are described. The bill's title indicates it relates to restrictions on public school instruction or activities concerning sexual orientation or gender identity, but the actual content cannot be summarized without the full text. A complete summary cannot be generated based on the current information.

Maddy summaryThe bill title indicates HB 328 relates to regulating manufactured home rental communities in specific counties, but no substantive text or provisions are provided in the available context. The bill's content is listed as "not currently available" with a placeholder noting a PDF will be provided later. Without access to the actual bill language or key mechanisms, a detailed summary cannot be generated. The recent actions (filing, reading, referral) confirm its legislative status but do not describe its policy content.

Maddy summaryHB 383 prohibits private employers in Texas from requiring employees or job applicants to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment or contract work. It also bans employers from taking adverse actions (like termination or denial of hire) against individuals who refuse vaccination. The bill creates a process for affected individuals to file complaints with the state commission for violations, with administrative penalties authorized for noncompliant employers. The law would take effect on September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 477 requires Texas birth certificates to list a child's biological sex (male or female) based on sex organs, chromosomes, or medical determination at birth. It prohibits changing this information on minors' birth certificates except in three specific cases: correcting clerical errors, completing missing biological sex data, or updating after a later medical determination for children born with atypical sex characteristics. The bill directly affects parents, medical providers reporting births, and local registrars who issue birth certificates. It does not apply to adults or allow changes to gender identity on birth records.