Rep. Cecil Bell

Maddy summaryHB 4494 redefines "residential development" to explicitly include rental units, apartments, recreational vehicle parks, and trailer parks. It allows counties to regulate these developments using the same standards applied to subdivisions, replacing previous rules. The bill repeals an existing section (232.007) of the Local Government Code that previously governed subdivision plats. This change directly affects counties and developers of multi-unit housing and mobile home parks by expanding local regulatory authority over these properties. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summaryHB 4485 modifies Texas' Water Code to require that dischargers (like industrial facilities or wastewater treatment plants) whose general permits to discharge waste into state waters are denied or suspended must wait at least five years before reapplying for a new permit. The bill adds a new provision stating that after such a denial or suspension, the commission cannot authorize discharge under a general permit until the fifth anniversary of the denial date. This rule applies only to denials or suspensions ordered on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025; existing cases follow prior rules. The law does not change current permit requirements but adds a mandatory waiting period for future violations.

Maddy summaryHB 4496 prohibits Texas municipalities from using public funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as defined by the bill. It bans spending on departments, programs, or contractors focused on initiatives based on identity classifications like race, gender, or sexual orientation - specifically those promoting proportional representation or discriminatory treatment. The bill also prevents municipalities from adopting policies that implement such initiatives or discriminate based on identity classifications in hiring or organizational practices. It allows individuals to sue if they face discrimination violating these provisions. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting all Texas cities and towns.

Maddy summaryHB 17 would prohibit citizens of designated countries (China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or others named by the governor) from purchasing real property in Texas. It creates criminal penalties for violations, making such purchases illegal under state law. Exceptions apply to U.S. citizens, lawful residents, and businesses owned by them. The law would override existing property rights for these foreign buyers, directly affecting individuals and entities from designated countries seeking to buy land in Texas.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 486) is a symbolic expression of support from the Texas House of Representatives, not a law. It commends the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) for establishing its Crisis Recovery Support Network, which provides yearlong mental health services to students, teachers, and school communities after tragedies like natural disasters or mass casualty events. The network specifically aims to deploy counselors to schools - including those in underserved rural areas - to address psychological trauma following crises. It does not create new legal requirements but formally recognizes SREB's regional work supporting Texas schools and 16 Southern states.

Maddy summaryHB 4316 prevents counties and municipalities from banning or fining residents for using transportation modes (like bicycles or scooters) that are already permitted under state law on public roadways. The bill amends Texas Transportation Code sections 251.162 (for counties) and 311.905 (for cities) to prohibit local governments from: (1) restricting such transportation modes, or (2) imposing fines for their use. This directly affects local authorities' ability to create new local restrictions on non-motorized transportation. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and only applies to modes not already restricted by state law.

Maddy summaryHB 4138 (Relating to the expiration date of certain permits issued by groundwater conservation districts) delays the expiration of drilling, operating, or transfer permits held by individuals or entities involved in litigation challenging a permit's validity. If a final court ruling upholds the permit, the delay lasts until the two-year anniversary of that ruling; if the permit is invalidated, the delay ends when the ruling is issued. The delay does not apply if the permit holder started the lawsuit, owes fees, faces enforcement actions for violations, or has unpaid penalties. This law applies only to permits issued on or after January 1, 2022, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3186 requires out-of-state colleges competing against Texas public universities in intercollegiate athletics to certify 30 days before the event that they will follow Texas' biological sex-based team eligibility rules. It directly affects out-of-state institutions competing against Texas schools in sports, mandating this certification to ensure compliance with Texas' policy. The bill adds this certification requirement to the Education Code, applying to all such competitions starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. It does not alter existing rules for Texas schools or individual athlete eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 76 prohibits local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to pay nonprofit organizations that accept public donations to post bail bonds for defendants. It directly affects political subdivisions that might fund such bail programs through public money. The bill bans this spending and allows taxpayers or residents to sue to stop it, with successful plaintiffs able to recover legal fees. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryHJR 15 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing judges to deny bail to individuals accused of specific serious crimes - including first-degree sexual offenses, violent offenses, or continuous human trafficking - pending trial. Judges may deny bail only after a hearing where they find, by clear and convincing evidence, that bail would not ensure the defendant’s court appearance or community safety. The amendment requires judges to issue a written order detailing their findings and reasoning. It does not restrict defendants’ rights to challenge bail denials under existing law and specifies that judges must consider standard bail factors when making decisions. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in the 2025 election.