Rep. Richard Raymond

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 summaryThis Texas concurrent resolution urges Congress to preserve Sections 45U, 45Y, and 48E of the federal tax code, which provide tax incentives for nuclear and natural gas energy projects. It directly addresses Texas' energy sector, which relies on these provisions to maintain existing operations and support new development, employing over 12,000 workers in nuclear/gas plants and supplying nearly half the state's electricity. The resolution requests Congress preserve these tax incentives to sustain affordable energy production and Texas' leadership in electricity generation.

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 summaryHB 1788 requires barbers and cosmetologists licensed in Texas to complete continuing education on identifying and assisting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. The bill mandates the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt rules requiring this training as part of license renewal. It directly affects all licensed barbers and cosmetologists in Texas, who must complete this education by the bill's effective date. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, with the commission required to adopt rules promptly after enactment.

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 326 requires Texas public schools and colleges to use the state's official definition of antisemitism (from Government Code Section 448.001, including its examples) when determining if a student's conduct violation under school rules was motivated by antisemitism. It applies to disciplinary actions for behavior violating student codes in both K-12 schools and higher education institutions. The law mandates this specific definition be used starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill was signed into law on May 20, 2025, and took effect immediately. This policy change standardizes how schools assess antisemitism-related conduct without creating new definitions or penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 3339 mandates a study by Texas' Maternal Mortality Review Committee and the Department of State Health Services to examine maternal mortality and morbidity rates specifically among Black women in Texas. The study requires comparing these rates to other racial/ethnic groups, analyzing socioeconomic factors, evaluating healthcare coverage types (Medicaid, private insurance, uninsured), and assessing impacts of specific health conditions (like preeclampsia and obesity) and implicit biases in healthcare. It also requires evaluating social determinants of health and pregnancy-related complications. The committee must submit a report with recommendations to address disparities by September 1, 2026, including provider training on cultural competency and successful programs from other states. This bill directly affects Black women in Texas by focusing on data collection to inform future policy.