Rep. Cecil Bell

Maddy summaryHB 216 would require Texas groundwater conservation districts to limit new permits so that no single applicant can produce and transfer out more than 5% of the district's modeled available groundwater across all permits issued to them. This directly affects groundwater conservation districts when reviewing permit applications and applicants seeking new groundwater rights for production and transfer. The key provision mandates districts to calculate this 5% cap based on the district's modeled available groundwater, as determined by the executive administrator. The bill applies only to permits issued on or after its effective date, which is 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryHB 155 prohibits Texas local governments (like counties, cities, school districts, and special districts) from using public funds - such as taxes, fees, or grants - to plan, create, or operate most environmental projects. The bill allows exceptions only for specific cases, including flood control, renewable energy infrastructure for their own facilities, school energy efficiency programs, waste management, and projects required by state or federal law. It does not ban environmental work but restricts how local governments fund it, excluding projects like electric vehicle charging stations or general emissions reduction efforts. The law would take effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryHB 156 requires Texas to deposit half of any surplus general state revenue (when actual revenue exceeds the biennial estimate) into the property tax relief fund. This fund will be used exclusively by the Texas Education Agency to reduce school district property taxes through lowering the "state compression percentage" under education law. The bill directly affects school districts by providing a mechanism to lower maintenance and operations property tax rates. It takes effect for the 2027-2028 state fiscal biennium.

Maddy summaryHB 157 limits annual increases in the property tax value for Texas primary residences (homesteads) to no more than 5% of the previous year's appraised value, plus the value of new improvements. It directly affects homeowners who live in their primary residence, capping how much their property tax bill can rise each year. The bill amends Texas Tax Code Section 23.23(a) to establish this cap, replacing a previous 10% limit. The law would take effect January 1, 2027, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 154 requires property tax appeal boards to use a homeowner's own appraisal of residential property when deciding tax value protests. If a homeowner submits a valid appraisal from a certified appraiser (not affiliated with a tax consultant) by the deadline, the board must rule in the homeowner's favor and adjust the property's assessed value accordingly. This directly affects residential property owners contesting their tax assessments under Texas law. The bill shifts the burden of proof to the appraisal district, mandating that they must meet a "preponderance of evidence" standard to override the homeowner's submitted appraisal.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the Texas legislature to set a lower maximum appraised value for homestead property taxes. It would authorize the legislature to limit the taxable value of a primary residence to the lesser of its most recent market value or 105% of its previous year's appraised value. This change would directly affect homeowners who qualify for homestead exemptions, as the tax limit would take effect after they qualify for the exemption and expire if they or their spouse no longer qualify. The amendment requires voter approval, with a proposed election date of May 2, 2026. If approved, it would modify Article VIII of the Texas Constitution to create this new tax limitation mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 103 aims to establish statewide consistency by clarifying that Texas state law, not local municipalities or counties, holds regulatory authority over commerce, trade, elections, and criminal justice. It prevents local governments from creating conflicting rules in these areas while explicitly allowing them to build/maintain roads, impose taxes, provide services like general-law municipalities, run public awareness campaigns, or correct ordinances that violate the bill. The bill does not create new state powers but reaffirms existing state authority under the Texas Constitution. It is a newly filed bill (July 16, 2025) with no further legislative action recorded yet.

Maddy summaryHB 104 sets spending limits for Texas cities and counties by capping annual expenditures at either last year's total or last year's total adjusted for inflation and population growth. The bill requires local governments to calculate their spending limit using the sum of the state's inflation rate (based on consumer prices) and population growth rate, published annually by the Legislative Budget Board. Exceptions allow spending above the cap if voters approve the increase or if a governor declares a state of disaster affecting the area. This bill directly affects all Texas municipalities and counties by requiring them to track and report expenditures against these new limits.

Maddy summaryHB 97, titled the "Texas Sovereignty Act," proposes that the Texas legislature or state courts may declare specific federal actions unconstitutional if they exceed powers delegated to the federal government under the U.S. Constitution. The bill argues that all powers not explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or the people, and it specifically limits federal authority over intrastate commerce. If enacted, the declaration would be made by Texas state entities, though the bill does not specify how such a declaration would be enforced or its legal effect on federal law. The measure directly affects Texas state government bodies (legislature and courts) and could influence how Texas responds to federal policies it deems overreaching.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution directs the Texas Department of Public Safety to consider opening a Driver License Mega Center in Magnolia. It addresses the current need for Magnolia residents to travel to Conroe or Houston for driver's license services by formally requesting the DPS evaluate establishing a local center. The resolution has no binding effect and merely asks the agency to review the possibility.