Rep. Cecil Bell

Maddy summaryHB 167 restricts local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofits that lobby on their behalf. It prohibits spending taxpayer money to contract with registered lobbyists or support organizations representing local governments that employ lobbyists, though exceptions exist for direct communication by government employees or advocacy by elected officials. The bill allows reimbursement for travel expenses related to permitted activities and lets taxpayers sue to stop violations and recover legal fees. It directly affects how local governments allocate public funds for legislative advocacy efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 74 would prohibit Texas local governments (including cities, counties, school districts, and special districts) from using public funds - such as taxes, grants, or donations - to plan, create, or operate most environmental projects. Exceptions include projects required by law, flood control, renewable energy infrastructure for their own facilities, waste management, and energy efficiency improvements at public buildings. The bill defines "environmental project" broadly as efforts to reduce emissions, pollutants, or raise public awareness, but explicitly excludes initiatives like electric vehicle charging stations or vehicle emission reduction programs. This legislation, filed in 2025, would take effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryHB 59 authorizes the Texas comptroller to charge a fee of up to $50 per person for training courses related to property appraisal. It requires specific continuing education content for appraisal review board members, including topics like valuation methods, independence requirements, and appeal processes. The bill affects appraisal districts, their chief appraisers, and review board members by mandating state-approved training and prohibiting appraisal districts from providing their own training. It does not change how chief appraisers are selected but focuses on standardizing and funding training for review board members. The fee structure aims to recover costs for the state-administered training program.

Maddy summaryHB 161 authorizes the Texas Attorney General to investigate and sue local governments (municipalities or counties) for violating state law. If the AG finds a violation, they may file a lawsuit, and during the case, the comptroller must withhold state funds, the local government cannot raise property tax rates above their "no-new-revenue" limit, and grant applications are denied. If the AG wins, the local government faces a five-year ban on exceeding tax rate limits or receiving state grants, plus potential penalties. The bill creates specific court procedures, assigning exclusive jurisdiction to the First Business Court Division and Fifteenth Court of Appeals.

Maddy summaryHB 78, the Texas Sovereignty Act, would authorize the Texas legislature or state courts to declare certain federal actions unconstitutional, based on the bill's interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. The bill's preamble argues that federal powers are limited to those explicitly delegated in the Constitution, with all other powers reserved to the states under the Tenth Amendment. It establishes a framework for making such declarations and specifies their legal effect and enforcement within Texas. This bill directly affects Texas's legal relationship with the federal government and could influence how federal laws are applied in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 57 requires Texas property tax appraisal review boards to accept and rely on residential property owners' submitted appraisals when challenging tax assessments. Specifically, if a homeowner provides a certified appraisal (prepared within 180 days before the hearing, from an appraiser not affiliated with tax consultants) at least 14 days before the hearing, the board must rule in the owner's favor and adjust the property's assessed value accordingly. This applies only to residential properties and new protests filed after the bill takes effect. The law also adds penalties for fraudulent appraisals filed with the board.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Texas Department of Public Safety to consider opening a local driver's license service center in Magnolia. It would directly affect Magnolia residents who currently must travel to Conroe or Houston for these services. The resolution is non-binding - it requests the department to evaluate the possibility but does not require the center to open. The Texas Secretary of State must forward the resolution to the Department of Public Safety.

Maddy summaryHB 72 establishes that Texas state law overrides local municipal or county regulations in key areas like commerce, trade, elections, and criminal justice, aiming to prevent inconsistent "patchwork" rules across the state. It directly affects cities and counties that attempt to create local regulations differing from state law in these areas. The bill explicitly allows local governments to continue building roads, imposing taxes, maintaining home-rule services, conducting public awareness campaigns, and revising ordinances that conflict with the bill. Its core mechanism returns regulatory authority to the state, as required by the Texas Constitution, while preserving specific local government functions.

Maddy summaryHB 76 prohibits local government agencies in Texas from considering non-relevant factors when selecting contractors for goods or services. Specifically, it bans agencies from using criteria unrelated to cost, quality, reliability, or legal compliance - such as environmental, social, or governance preferences - during competitive procurement processes. The bill requires agencies to publicly list all written selection criteria in bid documents and solicitation materials. If violations occur, the Attorney General can order removal of prohibited criteria, termination of contracts, or void contracts that aren’t executed within 10 days of notice. This directly affects all local governmental agencies that use competitive contracting processes for purchasing goods or services.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Governor Greg Abbott to return federal reconciliation funds to Texas taxpayers by implementing property tax relief. The Texas House of Representatives passed this non-binding resolution to formally request the Governor use the funds for property tax cuts, directing the chief clerk to forward a copy to the Governor's office. It does not require legal action or change existing tax policy, as resolutions like this serve only as a formal expression of legislative opinion.