Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 11) urges the federal government to take immediate action to prevent the spread of the New World screwworm - a parasitic fly that infests livestock - into Texas. It directly affects Texas ranchers, the state’s $1.8 billion livestock industry, and the broader national food supply chain, as an outbreak could cause widespread animal deaths and economic damage. The resolution requests federal agencies to: collaborate with Mexico on control plans, fund a Texas-based screwworm control facility, approve treatments for infected animals, and approve pesticides for prevention. It does not create new laws but formally asks Congress and federal agencies to act, citing the parasite’s proximity to Texas (370 miles from the border as of July 2025).

Maddy summaryHB 273 creates the Institute for Animal Health Research and Response as a component of Texas A&M University, operating under Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. The institute will partner with Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Animal Health Commission to study animal diseases and parasitic infestations, develop prevention strategies, and create treatments. It may accept grants, hire staff, build facilities, and prioritize specific health threats, but implementation depends on legislative funding appropriations. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 272 establishes a special fund called the Screwworm Abatement Trust (SWAT) Fund to support efforts preventing, controlling, and eradicating the New World Screwworm pest. The fund, managed by the state comptroller outside the main treasury, can receive gifts, donations, or appropriations (capped at $50 million) to cover related programs, research, surveillance, and emergency responses. It directly affects state agricultural agencies, universities, and other public entities that administer or utilize these pest control activities. The bill creates a dedicated funding mechanism for coordinated intergovernmental efforts without imposing new taxes or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 275 modifies Texas property tax rules for agricultural land temporarily quarantined by the Texas Animal Health Commission due to ticks or screwworms. It ensures landowners maintaining agricultural designation during such quarantines (for at least 90 days) can request a reappraisal to reflect reduced land value caused by the infestation. The bill caps the reappraised value at 50% of the original tax year value or market value, whichever is lower. This directly affects Texas agricultural landowners in quarantine zones, providing relief during pest control efforts under Chapter 167 of the Agriculture Code. The changes apply to tax years with active quarantines and continue in subsequent years until the quarantine ends.

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 276 ("Relating to parasitic insect control") is not currently available in the provided context. The system indicates the content will be available soon, with a note to refer to a PDF for details. No specific provisions, affected parties, or policy mechanisms can be identified from the available information. Without access to the bill's actual text or summary, a factual summary cannot be generated. We recommend checking the official bill document when it becomes available for details.

Maddy summaryHB 250 modifies how Texas taxing units calculate certain ad valorem tax rates, specifically changing the formulas for "no-new-revenue tax rates" and "voter-approval tax rates." It introduces a "sales tax gain rate" factor when new sales tax revenue affects calculations, with different formulas for special taxing units (using a 1.08 multiplier) versus other units (using a 1.035 multiplier). The bill directly affects local governments that impose property taxes, ensuring tax rate increases beyond voter-approved levels follow updated calculation methods. It makes technical adjustments to Tax Code sections 26.04 and 26.05 to align with these new formulas. The changes aim to clarify how taxing units can adjust rates when new revenue sources, like sales taxes, impact their budgets.

Maddy summaryHB 249 prohibits youth camp operators from constructing new overnight accommodations at resident youth camps located within a 100-year floodplain, as defined by FEMA or USDA flood maps. This law directly affects camp operators seeking to build new facilities in flood-prone areas, banning such construction starting on the bill's effective date. The bill defines a "100-year floodplain" as areas with a 1% annual flood risk and allows the executive commissioner to create implementing rules. It applies only to new construction beginning after the bill takes effect, 91 days post-session.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 56) formally commemorates the 55-year history of the Texas Rice Festival in Winnie, Texas, by endorsing the placement of an Official Texas Historical Marker. It recognizes the festival's origins in 1970, its role in celebrating rice farming since the early 1900s, and its community contributions including over $1 million in scholarships and donations. The resolution directs the Texas House of Representatives to provide an official copy to festival organizers as a gesture of recognition. It is a ceremonial resolution with no new policy or funding impact, solely honoring the festival's cultural and economic significance.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to clarify that the Texas Attorney General has equal authority with county or district attorneys to prosecute criminal violations of state election laws. It would amend Article IV, Section 22 of the Texas Constitution to explicitly grant the Attorney General "concurrent jurisdiction" in such cases. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, this change would directly affect how election-related criminal cases are handled across Texas, ensuring the state attorney general can participate alongside local prosecutors. The amendment does not create new election crimes but specifies existing prosecutorial authority.

Maddy summaryHB 11 requires the Texas Attorney General to prosecute criminal offenses related to election laws, shifting responsibility from local prosecutors to the state level. It mandates that law enforcement agencies report such offenses to the Attorney General and obligates local prosecutors to provide requested information and assist in prosecutions. The Attorney General may also direct local district attorneys to either prosecute these cases or support the state's efforts. These changes apply only to offenses committed after the bill's effective date, which is set for 91 days after the legislative session ends.