Rep. Cody Vasut

Maddy summaryHB 5337 requires Texas voters to submit proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must provide documents like a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or citizenship papers to county registrars. If proof isn't submitted, voters would only qualify for a limited federal ballot under Chapter 115. The bill creates criminal penalties for failing to provide required documentation and amends election code sections to implement these requirements. This directly affects all new voter registrants in Texas seeking full voting rights.

Maddy summarySB 844 establishes new procedures for Texas municipalities making zoning changes that do not qualify as major overhauls (e.g., not city-wide code updates or new zoning maps). It requires written protests signed by owners of at least 20% of the affected land or 60% of adjacent land within 200 feet to trigger stricter approval rules. If protested, such zoning changes must receive approval from at least three-fourths of the city council. This applies only to smaller, targeted adjustments - not comprehensive zoning changes - as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 5398 amends Texas law to allow qualified landowners or their agents to use helicopters for taking aoudad sheep (an invasive species causing land damage) under the same permit system already used for depredating feral hogs and coyotes. The bill specifically adds aoudad sheep to the list of animals that can be managed using helicopter-assisted hunting or observation. It does not create new restrictions but expands existing authority for landowners dealing with these invasive animals. The Parks and Wildlife Commission must later adopt rules to implement this change, and the law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4895 amends Texas Parks and Wildlife Code to define key terms related to boat registration documents, including "certificate of title," "hull identification number," and "record." It creates a new criminal offense for altering or misusing these official records. The bill directly affects boat owners, dealers, and anyone handling vessel registration documents. By establishing clear definitions, the bill enables enforcement against fraud or tampering with vessel ownership records.

Maddy summaryHJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing an occupation tax on financial firms regulated by federal agencies (like stock exchanges, brokers, and clearinghouses) or taxing their securities transactions. It directly affects entities such as stock exchanges, broker-dealers, and other registered securities market operators. The amendment explicitly allows existing taxes like sales taxes, insurance premiums, and general business taxes but blocks new state taxes targeting securities transactions or these specific firms. This is a constitutional change, not a regular law, requiring voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryHB 849 allows county park boards in Texas to hold meetings via videoconference, but only if the presiding member is physically present at a public location during the open portion of the meeting. This rule specifically applies to county park boards and requires that the meeting location be open to the public while the presiding member is present. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not change existing rules for other government bodies. It provides a clear, accessible process for park boards to conduct meetings remotely while maintaining public access.

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits spending for Texas cities and counties by setting a cap on annual expenditures. It requires that a municipality or county's total spending cannot exceed either last year's spending or an amount adjusted for inflation and population growth (calculated by the Legislative Budget Board). Exceptions allow spending increases if voters approve them or if a state disaster declaration covers the area. The cap does not apply to bond proceeds or grants received by local governments.

Maddy summaryHB 15 would modify Texas business law to strengthen the state's control over domestic business entities. It requires that internal disputes (like shareholder disagreements) must be resolved in Texas courts only, and allows companies to include in their governing documents a waiver of jury trials for such claims. This applies to all Texas-formed businesses (corporations, LLCs, etc.) and prevents other states' laws from overriding Texas business regulations. The bill does not change how businesses are formed but dictates where internal legal conflicts must be handled. The law would take effect if passed, making Texas the exclusive venue for internal business disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 2322 sets specific annual base salary amounts for Texas judges, directly affecting district judges, appeals court justices, and supreme court justices. It establishes a minimum $140,000 state base salary for district judges (capped at $5,000 below appeals court chief justice salaries), 110% of district judge pay for most appeals court justices (with a $5,000 cap), and 120% for supreme court justices, while providing a $2,500 premium for chief justices. The bill also introduces a new annual adjustment formula requiring salaries to increase by the prior biennium's amount plus a percentage based on average salary growth. All salary calculations include caps on combined state and county pay to prevent exceeding specific thresholds for higher courts.