Rep. Dade Phelan

Maddy summarySJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead exemption for school district property taxes in Texas from $100,000 to $140,000. This change would directly reduce the taxable value of a primary residence for school taxes, lowering property tax bills for homeowners. The amendment requires voter approval in a November 2025 election to take effect for the 2025 tax year. If passed, it would provide an additional $40,000 in tax relief on primary homes for school funding purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 5669 renames the "Sabine Pass Port Authority" to "Port of Sabine Pass [Port Authority]" in Texas law and adjusts its governance structure. The bill changes the governing commission to have five members serving staggered four-year terms (instead of two-year terms), with elections held in even and odd years. It also clarifies the authority's power to issue bonds for port projects. This bill directly affects the Sabine Pass Port Authority's operations, leadership structure, and financial flexibility, impacting Jefferson County's port management.

Maddy summarySB 1065 requires contractors working with Texas governmental entities (like schools, hospitals, or local governments) to include a specific clause in their contracts. This clause prohibits contractors from banning handgun license holders from property unless state law (Section 46.03 of the Penal Code) already prohibits carrying handguns there. Contractors violating this rule face civil penalties: $1,000-$1,500 for a first offense and $10,000-$10,500 for repeat violations. Residents or license holders can file complaints with the attorney general, and collected penalties fund the victims of crime compensation fund.

Maddy summarySB 2439 amends Texas law to change rules for operating off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on public lands owned by the state or local governments. It removes the requirement for a safety certificate (previously in the bill's title) and clarifies that OHV operation on public OHV areas or beaches must comply with both the Transportation Code and Parks and Wildlife Code. The bill repeals several existing sections of the Transportation Code related to OHV regulations, including safety certificate provisions and specific operational restrictions. This change directly affects OHV users accessing public lands, requiring them to follow updated compliance standards starting September 1, 2025. The bill focuses on streamlining regulatory language without creating new fees or restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 1738 repeals the criminal penalty for homosexual conduct (previously codified in Section 21.06 of the Penal Code). It simultaneously amends health education requirements in Texas schools to mandate that materials for minors include the statement that "homosexual conduct is not an acceptable lifestyle," while incorrectly referencing the repealed law. The bill affects public school health curricula for students under 18, requiring this specific language to be included in sexual education programs. The legislation passed the Texas legislature on May 16, 2025, and would take effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summaryHB 4769 allows the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to deliver official documents electronically, including notices, orders, and pleadings, to license applicants, license holders, and others who regularly receive TDLR correspondence. The bill requires TDLR to establish rules for this electronic delivery method, permitting the department to mandate email addresses for recipients while keeping those addresses confidential under state law. It repeals previous requirements that conflicted with this electronic delivery approach. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, shifting TDLR communications from paper-based to digital delivery for affected individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 475 requires Texas Medicaid to reimburse healthcare providers who deliver multisystemic therapy services, classified under a specific HCPCS code. It creates a new provider type for these services to streamline enrollment and payment under Medicaid. This directly affects providers offering multisystemic therapy to Medicaid beneficiaries. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not change eligibility for beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryHB 4766 establishes certification requirements for sanitarians and sanitarians in training in Texas. It defines "sanitarian" as someone trained in environmental sanitation and creates a new category for "sanitarian in training" (those learning while working). The bill requires individuals using the title "sanitarian" to hold a state-issued certificate, which mandates a bachelor's degree with 30 science credits, additional training if needed, two years of sanitation experience, and passing an exam. This affects sanitation professionals seeking to use the title in their work. The legislation aims to standardize qualifications for these roles through the Texas Department of Health.

Maddy summaryHB 5212 requires restaurants and other food service businesses to clearly display the full price of prepared food, including any mandatory fees they charge (like service fees) and required government taxes, in a standard, easy-to-read format. Consumers can sue for violations to recover up to $1,000 in damages (or actual losses, whichever is lower) plus attorney fees, and the Texas Attorney General can also enforce the law through court actions. The law applies only to price advertising, displays, or offers made on or after September 1, 2025. It directly affects food establishments that sell prepared meals and aims to prevent misleading pricing practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.