Rep. Brent Money

Maddy summaryHB 211 changes how Texas taxing units (like school districts and counties) must obtain voter approval to raise property tax rates above current levels. It requires a 60% approval threshold (instead of a simple majority) in elections held on the November uniform election date, with elections for rate increases no longer allowed as emergency votes. If approved, the tax rate becomes final, and governing bodies cannot disapprove it or the budget based solely on that rate. The bill also removes specific Tax Code restrictions (like Section 26.07) that would otherwise limit the approved rate's application for that tax year.

Maddy summaryHB 226 requires youth camp operators in Texas to provide each camper with an active radio frequency identification (RFID) tag capable of tracking location if a camper goes missing or during severe weather/disasters. The bill directly affects youth camp operators and requires them to obtain written consent from a camper’s parent or legal guardian before issuing a tag. Key provisions include mandating the tags for emergency location tracking, prohibiting their use without parental consent, and directing the health commissioner to adopt implementing rules. The bill does not require ongoing tracking but only activates the tag during specific emergency scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 64 creates a rule that Texas state senators and representatives lose their seats if absent from all legislative proceedings without approved leave for seven consecutive days when their house is in session. This provision directly affects legislators who miss sessions without permission, triggering an immediate vacancy. The bill specifies that the absence must occur during days the house is meeting, not just calendar days. It would take effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, otherwise 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryHB 236 creates an affirmative defense for individuals prosecuted under certain laws if they were victims of human trafficking or compelled prostitution. It applies when a person engaged in criminal conduct (like prostitution or other offenses) directly because they were subjected to force, fraud, or coercion by traffickers, and would not have committed the act otherwise. The defense requires showing the conduct was compelled by such means, that a reasonable person in similar circumstances would have been compelled, and that the person wasn’t merely offered an opportunity without coercion. This applies to prosecutions for offenses under Sections 20A.02 (human trafficking) or 43.05 (prostitution) but excludes specific offenses listed in state law. The bill affects individuals prosecuted for crimes committed while trafficked, shifting legal focus to their victim status during prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 144 amends Texas law to treat unborn children as legal persons under criminal and civil law from fertilization onward. It redefines "individual" in the Penal Code to include unborn children and adds provisions requiring criminal statutes to apply equally to offenses against unborn children, while excluding unintentional harm from lifesaving medical procedures for the mother or spontaneous miscarriages. The bill repeals existing legal exceptions that permitted "prenatal homicide" and laws that could be interpreted as enabling pressure on pregnant people to obtain abortions. It directly affects medical providers, legal proceedings involving pregnancy-related injuries, and individuals seeking civil remedies for harm to unborn children.

Maddy summaryHB 186 restricts how local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) can use public funds for lobbying. It prohibits spending public money to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofit groups that represent local governments and employ lobbyists. Exceptions include activities by elected officials, employees providing information to legislators, travel expenses for such activities, and services by associations representing sheriffs or law enforcement. The bill allows taxpayers to sue to stop prohibited spending and recover legal fees if they win. This directly affects local government budget decisions regarding legislative advocacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to ban most property taxes based on property value (ad valorem taxes) in Texas by 2030. It would prevent cities, counties, and other local governments from imposing these taxes after January 1, 2030, except for a limited exception: they could still use such taxes solely to repay bonds issued before that date. The amendment requires voter approval in a May 2026 election, with the ballot asking voters to approve "the constitutional amendment to abolish ad valorem taxes." This change would directly affect all Texas local governments that currently rely on property taxes for funding.

Maddy summaryHB 185 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit associations that primarily represent political subdivisions and employ registered lobbyists. The bill specifically bans spending on: (1) hiring individuals required to register as lobbyists under Texas law, or (2) funding nonprofits that hire such lobbyists. Taxpayers or residents can sue to stop prohibited spending and recover attorney fees if they win the case. This directly affects local governments' ability to use taxpayer money for lobbying efforts targeting state legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 213 requires Texas ballot propositions for bond elections to clearly state the specific purpose of the bond (e.g., "to build a new library"), the total principal amount, and the estimated annual tax impact per $100,000 in property value. Each distinct project or purpose must appear as a separate ballot option, preventing multiple projects from being bundled into one vote. Political subdivisions (like cities, counties, or school districts) must also provide a voter information document detailing the bond's principal, interest, and total cost. This bill aims to improve voter transparency by standardizing and clarifying bond election information.

Maddy summaryHB 152 creates a study commission to examine alternative tax methods that could replace revenue lost by local governments if ad valorem (property) taxes are abolished. The commission, led by the comptroller and including legislative and public members, will study tax alternatives and report findings by December 1, 2026. This bill does not change tax law but mandates a study to inform future policy decisions. It expires September 1, 2027, after completing its task.