Rep. Cecil Bell

Maddy summaryHB 162 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities or counties) from using eminent domain to acquire property outside their own boundaries. The bill adds a new provision (Section 2206.003) to the Government Code stating that political subdivisions "may not take through eminent domain public or private property located outside the political subdivision's boundaries." This directly affects local governments seeking to acquire land for projects beyond their jurisdictional limits. The law creates a clear restriction on eminent domain use, overriding prior allowances that permitted such acquisitions outside boundaries.

Maddy summaryHB 19 requires all campground operators (both public and private) in Texas to create, annually update, and submit written flood disaster plans to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. These plans must detail safety measures for flood emergencies and be posted at the campground or shared online. Campground entities must also provide copies to staff, campers, and local emergency services. Failure to comply may result in civil penalties enforced by the attorney general. The bill focuses on improving safety preparedness for campers during flood events.

Maddy summaryHB 1 requires justices of the peace in counties without a medical examiner to complete state-developed training on managing mass fatality events within one year of election. The training covers autopsy referrals, body identification, missing persons data collection, and multi-agency coordination during disasters. The bill also authorizes the Texas Division of Emergency Management to access criminal history records for emergency manager license applicants and disaster volunteers, with strict limits on disclosure. These provisions directly affect local justices of the peace and individuals seeking emergency management roles.

Maddy summaryHB 2 creates the Texas Interoperability Council to develop a statewide strategic plan for emergency communication equipment and infrastructure. The council will administer a grant program to help local governments (municipalities, counties, and special districts) purchase interoperable equipment and build communication infrastructure. This ensures first responders can effectively communicate during emergencies by standardizing technology across jurisdictions. The bill establishes the council’s structure, including appointments by state leaders, and exempts it from certain public disclosure laws.

Maddy summaryHB 20 establishes a voluntary certification program for disaster relief organizations in Texas, allowing the state attorney general to maintain a public registry of certified groups to help donors identify legitimate charities during disasters. The program requires the attorney general to set eligibility rules, application procedures, and processes for renewal or revocation, though organizations may choose not to participate. Additionally, the bill mandates that the attorney general create and share public educational materials on recognizing and avoiding fraudulent charitable solicitations during disaster situations. This directly affects disaster relief organizations (through optional certification) and the public (via the registry and educational resources).

Maddy summaryHB 18 expands the Texas comptroller’s authority to fund emergency communication systems by adding specific provisions to the state’s funding rules. It authorizes state funds to support early warning systems for natural disasters and interoperable emergency radio systems, including their equipment, operations, and administration. This change directly affects local governments and emergency services providers who deploy these systems. The bill modifies existing funding mechanisms under the Government Code to ensure resources are available for these critical communication tools.

Maddy summaryHJR 39 proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt the full market value of primary homes from property taxes for Texans aged 65 or older who have held the exemption for 10 consecutive years, and for surviving spouses aged 55 or older who continued living in the home after their spouse’s death. The exemption would apply to the total market value (not just a portion), take effect January 1, 2027, if approved by voters, and require the legislature to develop revenue protection formulas for school districts. Exceptions allow continued taxation for properties with debt backed by property taxes until the debt is paid. The amendment must be voted on by Texas voters in a May 2, 2026, election.

Maddy summaryHB 301 creates a new property tax exemption for Texas homeowners aged 65 or older who have already received a homestead exemption for at least 10 consecutive years. It also extends this full exemption to surviving spouses aged 55 or older who were living in the same home when their spouse died (and meet other conditions). The bill directly affects elderly homeowners and their surviving spouses by eliminating all property taxes on their primary residence homestead. This policy change modifies Texas Tax Code Section 11.13 to add these specific exemption criteria, effective only if a related constitutional amendment passes or fails as specified.

Maddy summaryHB 294 gives Texas' attorney general the power to investigate and sue local governments (municipalities or counties) for violating state law. If the attorney general determines a violation, they can file a lawsuit to enforce compliance. During such cases, the comptroller must withhold state payments due to the local government, the government cannot raise property tax rates above its "no-new-revenue" limit, and it cannot receive state grant funds. Local governments must prove they followed the law by a preponderance of evidence, and cases are handled by specialized courts with strict deadlines.

Maddy summaryHB 4 establishes new congressional district boundaries for Texas voters to be used in the 2026 U.S. House elections. It adopts the PLANC2308 redistricting plan based on 2020 Census data (TIGER/Line Shapefiles) to define district lines. The bill replaces all prior Texas congressional district maps, including those from 2021, and applies to elections starting with the 120th Congress (2026). This is a procedural redistricting bill directly affecting Texas residents' voting districts for federal elections beginning in 2026.