Rep. Ryan Guillen

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 9 amends Texas tax code to change how local taxing units calculate voter-approval tax rates, directly affecting special districts, small municipalities/counties (under 75,000 population), and other taxing units. It establishes three distinct formulas: special units use a 1.08 multiplier on maintenance rates, small municipalities/counties use 1.035, and other units use 1.025, all combined with current debt and unused increment rates. The bill also adds a "sales tax gain rate" adjustment for the first year a taxing unit collects new sales tax revenue. These changes aim to standardize rate calculations while accounting for revenue shifts from new tax collections. The bill is currently in committee referral after initial reading.

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.

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 summaryThis resolution recognizes El Valle Bakery in Rio Grande City for its 50 years of service to the community, specifically acknowledging its closure on June 30, 2025, after operating since 1975. It commemorates the bakery's role in serving generations of customers and honors the Berlanga family's legacy, including Rafael Berlanga's retirement after leading the business. The resolution is purely ceremonial, with no policy changes or new obligations. It directs the Texas House of Representatives to provide an official copy to Rafael Berlanga as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryHB 283 creates a disaster identification system for areas under a declared state of disaster in Texas. It requires residents who choose to participate to affix color-coded illuminated displays to themselves and pets: white for all (monochromatic), or blue (adults), green (disabled), red (children), and yellow (animals) for multicolored displays. Participants signal medical needs by flashing lights (for assistance needed) or continuous lights (no assistance needed), helping relief personnel locate them at night. The system activates automatically when a disaster declaration is issued under existing emergency management plans. This directly affects residents in disaster zones who opt into the program.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 274 establishes a framework for Texas to join an interstate compact focused on animal health initiatives with other states. The bill authorizes the governor to develop and execute this compact, enabling states to share resources like research facilities, surveillance systems, and personnel to address animal health outbreaks affecting livestock, wildlife, and other animals. Key provisions include joint planning for disease response, mutual support for infrastructure/equipment, and allowing fund transfers between states for research and response activities. The compact does not require congressional approval or increase states' political power relative to the federal government. This legislation creates a mechanism for future cooperation but does not mandate specific actions or funding.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 11) urges the federal government to take immediate action to prevent the spread of the New World screwworm - a parasitic fly that infests livestock - into Texas. It directly affects Texas ranchers, the state’s $1.8 billion livestock industry, and the broader national food supply chain, as an outbreak could cause widespread animal deaths and economic damage. The resolution requests federal agencies to: collaborate with Mexico on control plans, fund a Texas-based screwworm control facility, approve treatments for infected animals, and approve pesticides for prevention. It does not create new laws but formally asks Congress and federal agencies to act, citing the parasite’s proximity to Texas (370 miles from the border as of July 2025).

Maddy summaryHB 273 creates the Institute for Animal Health Research and Response as a component of Texas A&M University, operating under Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. The institute will partner with Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Animal Health Commission to study animal diseases and parasitic infestations, develop prevention strategies, and create treatments. It may accept grants, hire staff, build facilities, and prioritize specific health threats, but implementation depends on legislative funding appropriations. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.