Rep. Janie Lopez

Maddy summaryThis resolution commends 15 UTRGV students who served as interns in the Rio Grande Valley Legislative Internship Program (VLIP) and the Texas Legislative Fellowship Program during the 89th Texas Legislative Session. It specifically recognizes their work placements with legislative offices, including those of Representatives and Senators. The resolution formally acknowledges their contributions to the Texas Legislature and extends best wishes for their future success. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact and was adopted by the House on May 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 50 requires healthcare providers to obtain patient consent before conducting blood screening tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to inform patients they can opt out of the test. If a screening test is positive, providers must offer information about available healthcare, prevention, and support services. The bill applies to all medical screenings for STDs in Texas and takes effect January 1, 2026, after the Health and Human Services Commission adopts implementing rules. It does not change existing testing protocols but adds a consent requirement and post-positive support obligation for providers.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) passed by the Texas House of Representatives. It formally expresses appreciation for Chief Petty Officer Eric B. Uhr's 20+ years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard, highlighting his assignments, medals (including the Coast Guard Commendation Medal), and leadership roles. The resolution specifically congratulates him on his retirement and directs that an official copy be sent to him as a gesture of respect. It directly affects CPO Uhr as the recipient of this honor, with no policy changes or financial impacts.

Maddy summarySJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Texas school district property tax exemptions for elderly or disabled homeowners. Currently, the exemption for these residents is $10,000; this bill would raise it to $60,000 of a home's market value. The amendment would allow the legislature to adjust this exemption amount, with provisions ensuring eligible individuals (65+ or disabled) cannot receive both the basic exemption and this enhanced benefit. It directly affects Texas homeowners aged 65 or older or with disabilities who own their primary residence. The bill requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.

Maddy summarySJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead exemption for school district property taxes in Texas from $100,000 to $140,000. This change would directly reduce the taxable value of a primary residence for school taxes, lowering property tax bills for homeowners. The amendment requires voter approval in a November 2025 election to take effect for the 2025 tax year. If passed, it would provide an additional $40,000 in tax relief on primary homes for school funding purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 4755 allows specific Texas municipalities to use hotel occupancy tax revenue for certain venue projects, primarily convention centers and cultural facilities. It defines three types of qualifying cities: those bordering the Rio Grande with pre-2009 venue projects, border county cities meeting population criteria without larger cities, and small coastal cities (pop. ≤25,000) with cultural heritage museums. The bill amends tax code to authorize these cities to impose and use hotel taxes for capital projects like convention center construction or expansion, requiring adoption of a formal capital improvement plan. This directly affects eligible cities meeting the population, location, and project criteria outlined in the legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 2370 allows certain Texas municipalities (with 70,000-180,000 residents in counties bordering Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico) to use hotel occupancy tax revenue specifically for convention centers built before January 1, 2023. The law permits these cities to impose the tax only for financing such pre-2023 convention centers, with the tax authority expiring on the earlier of when the project debt is repaid or January 1, 2054. This bill amends the Local Government Code to clarify and limit the use of hotel tax revenue for these specific venue projects in designated border communities. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3196 allows specific qualifying Texas municipalities to receive and pledge tax revenue from hotel and convention center projects to cover project-related debts. It amends the Tax Code to define eligible cities, including those meeting population thresholds (e.g., 200,000+ residents with a Texas Tech University component) or geographic criteria (e.g., bordering Lake Lewisville or containing Cedar Hill State Park). The bill establishes a mechanism for these cities to use revenue from such projects to pay for development obligations. This policy change directly affects designated cities meeting the enumerated population and location requirements.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to exempt up to $125,000 of the market value of business-used tangible personal property (like equipment or vehicles) from property tax. It would directly affect business owners who hold such property for income generation, such as small business operators or farmers. The amendment would revise the state constitution to authorize this specific exemption amount, replacing the current exemption structure. If approved by voters in November 2025, this would become a permanent constitutional provision enabling future legislation to implement the tax break. The bill is now headed to the November ballot after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryHB 3466 amends Texas law to clarify which consumer transactions are exempt from standard cancellation rules under the Business & Commerce Code. It specifically exempts six types of transactions: farm equipment purchases, insurance sales regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance, sales under existing revolving charge accounts, real estate transactions involving licensed professionals, service contracts regulated under Occupations Code Chapter 1304, and services with written cancellation rights. The bill does not create new consumer protections but defines boundaries for existing cancellation rules. It applies only to transactions occurring on or after September 1, 2025.