Rep. Mando Martinez

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 summarySB 1967 expands eligibility for Texas Water Development Board flood infrastructure funding to include nature-based flood mitigation projects and multi-purpose systems that capture stormwater or treated wastewater for water supply. It redefines "flood project" in the Water Code to explicitly cover planning, regulatory approval, structural construction, and nonstructural projects using natural features. This change directly affects communities, municipalities, and water districts seeking financial assistance for qualifying flood control and water management infrastructure. The bill amends the Water Code to include these expanded project types under the existing flood infrastructure fund, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2091 expands the Texas Water Development Board's ability to provide grants for water supply projects, including those with flood control components, to political subdivisions like cities, counties, and drainage districts. It specifically ensures drainage districts cannot be disqualified from receiving these grants due to lacking historical water use data, retail water service, or certain service certificates. The bill amends the Water Code to establish clear eligibility rules, removing barriers for drainage districts that historically couldn't qualify for such funding. This change directly affects local governments and drainage districts seeking financial assistance for water infrastructure projects starting September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1532 requires the Texas Water Development Board to post specific details about the state water implementation fund on its website, including project progress, bond details for funded projects, investment portfolio performance, and the scoring system used to prioritize water projects. The bill mandates regular updates on items like project completion dates, bond terms, repayment risks, and fund return rates to increase transparency. This directly affects the Texas Water Development Board, which must now publicly share these details, and indirectly affects Texans by providing clearer information on water infrastructure funding. The requirement takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1738 repeals the criminal penalty for homosexual conduct (previously codified in Section 21.06 of the Penal Code). It simultaneously amends health education requirements in Texas schools to mandate that materials for minors include the statement that "homosexual conduct is not an acceptable lifestyle," while incorrectly referencing the repealed law. The bill affects public school health curricula for students under 18, requiring this specific language to be included in sexual education programs. The legislation passed the Texas legislature on May 16, 2025, and would take effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summarySJR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to explicitly state that non-U.S. citizens cannot vote in Texas. It amends Article VI, Section 1(a) of the Texas Constitution by adding "persons who are not citizens of the United States" as a prohibited voting class. This would clarify existing voting eligibility rules by making citizenship a constitutional requirement, directly affecting non-citizen residents. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in the November 4, 2025, election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2667 creates new regulations for entities that connect seniors with housing providers (referred to as "referral agencies"). It defines referral agencies as organizations that provide referrals for a fee, excluding senior communities themselves and family members making referrals. The bill permits senior living communities to pay referral agencies through lump sums, per-referral fees based on care costs, or fixed fees via written contracts. It also exempts these referral agencies from certain licensing requirements under Texas law, as specified in amended sections of the Business & Commerce Code and Occupations Code.

Maddy summaryHB 139 creates a new category of employer-sponsored health benefit plans that may exclude certain state-mandated health benefits, while still requiring coverage for federal essential health benefits. It requires health benefit plan issuers to offer these "employer choice of benefits plans" and mandates clear written notice to enrollees at the start of enrollment documents. The notice must explicitly state that the plan may exclude standard Texas-mandated benefits and provide fewer benefits than typical plans, with bold text highlighting this choice. The bill establishes definitions and rules for these plans under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1506. This directly affects employers offering health benefits and employees choosing their coverage options.

Maddy summaryHB 2983 sets specific fee limits for vehicle storage facilities in Texas, including a $20 impoundment fee, $20-$35 daily storage fees (based on vehicle size), and a $50 cap on notification fees. It requires annual adjustments to these fees each odd-numbered year based on the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation. The bill directly affects vehicle storage facilities (both private and government-operated) and vehicle owners who pay these fees. The bill failed to pass on May 15, 2025, after failing to advance to engrossment.