Rep. Will Metcalf

Maddy summaryHB 222 requires electric utilities serving first-tier coastal counties (as defined in Texas Insurance Code) or areas with high flood risk to create and submit a vegetation management plan as part of their emergency operations plan. The plan must detail trimming, removal, and debris-clearing procedures for utility rights-of-way, including annual mileage targets and cost estimates. The Public Utility Commission must review and approve or modify the plan within 180 days, only if it serves the public interest. Approved costs can be recovered through a separate "vegetation management cost recovery factor" without duplicating existing rate base costs. This applies directly to utilities operating in designated coastal or flood-prone regions.

Maddy summaryHJR 22 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Texas lawmakers to limit annual increases in the appraised value used for commercial property taxes. It would authorize the legislature to cap the taxable value of qualifying commercial properties at 120% (or a higher percentage) of the previous year's appraised value, preventing sudden tax jumps tied to market fluctuations. This directly affects commercial property owners by potentially reducing their annual tax burden if market values rise sharply. The amendment requires voter approval in the May 2, 2026 election and would take effect if passed, giving the legislature power to create specific rules for eligible properties. It does not change current tax law but enables future legislative action on commercial property taxation.

Maddy summaryHB 168 limits how much commercial real estate property taxes can increase annually for properties valued at $10 million or less. It caps annual appraised value increases at either the previous year’s market value or 110% of the prior year’s appraised value plus the value of new improvements (like renovations or additions). The bill excludes homesteads, properties under other tax subchapters, and properties over $10 million. This change applies to commercial properties held for income generation, not residential homes, and aims to stabilize tax assessments for smaller commercial owners.

Maddy summaryHB 169 limits how much the appraised value of certain commercial properties can increase for property tax purposes. It applies to commercial real property (used for income generation) valued at $10 million or less, excluding properties under specific tax subchapters. The bill caps annual appraised value increases at 20% of the prior year’s appraised value plus the prior year’s value plus the market value of all new improvements (excluding routine repairs). This limitation takes effect January 1, 2027, for properties meeting the criteria. The bill directly affects small commercial property owners by capping their annual tax increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow the Texas legislature to limit how much commercial real estate can be taxed based on its appraised value. Specifically, it would authorize future laws to cap the taxable value of qualifying commercial properties at 110% (or a higher percentage set by the legislature) of their prior year's appraised value, rather than their full market value. The amendment would only apply to properties meeting specific market value thresholds and defined as "commercial real property" by future legislation. It does not change current tax rates but creates a framework for potential future adjustments to commercial property taxation. The proposed amendment requires voter approval in a 2026 election.

Maddy summaryHB 149 prohibits Texas school districts from levying property taxes for maintenance and operations starting January 1, 2028, but allows them to collect an "enrichment tax" of up to $0.17 per $100 of property value to supplement education funding. The bill creates a joint legislative committee (five House members and five Senators) to study whether increasing state consumption taxes (like sales tax) could replace lost school district revenue. The committee will evaluate if expanding or adding consumption taxes would fulfill the state's constitutional duty to fund public schools. This bill directly affects school districts by altering their primary local tax authority and the state legislature through committee oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 92) aims to eliminate specific state-mandated student assessment tools that are not required by federal education law. It directly affects school districts and students by removing certain end-of-course tests and other state assessments. The bill's key mechanism is to reduce state assessment requirements that exceed federal mandates. However, the full text and specific assessment instruments to be eliminated are not currently available in the provided context. The bill was filed on July 14, 2025, but details about the affected assessments remain pending.

Maddy summaryHB 32, the Texas Women's Privacy Act, requires that certain facilities - such as restrooms, locker rooms, and family violence shelters - be designated and used based on biological sex, defined as the physical condition of being male or female at birth as determined by sex organs, chromosomes, and original birth records. The law applies to correctional facilities, family violence shelters, institutions of higher education, local governments (political subdivisions), and state agencies. It authorizes civil penalties for violations and creates a private right of action, allowing individuals to file lawsuits if they believe the law has been breached. The bill does not apply to state agencies as political subdivisions but covers them separately under the law's definition of "state agency."

Maddy summaryHB 36 prohibits Texas local governments (cities, counties, and other political subdivisions) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit associations that hire lobbyists. It specifically bans spending taxpayer money on lobbying activities aimed at influencing state legislation, such as hiring registered lobbyists to advocate before the legislature. However, the bill allows local officials to provide information to lawmakers, testify in person, or appear before committees without registering as lobbyists. Taxpayers can also sue if a local government violates these restrictions and seek recovery of legal fees. This law directly affects how local governments fund legislative advocacy efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 84 authorizes Texas pharmacists to dispense ivermectin for human use without a doctor's prescription, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking this medication. The bill requires the state health commissioner to issue a statewide order with standardized protocols for pharmacists, including patient instructions and annual reporting on dispensing volumes. It also provides legal protection for pharmacists who follow the order, shielding them from liability or disciplinary action. The commissioner must issue this order within 91 days after the legislative session ends, implementing the policy changes outlined in the new Health and Safety Code section.