Rep. Richard Raymond

Maddy summaryHB 2777 would prohibit the death penalty for defendants found to have had "severe mental illness" (defined as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with active psychotic symptoms impairing judgment or understanding of wrongfulness) at the time of a capital offense. The bill requires defendants to file a 30-day notice before trial to present evidence of this condition, which they must prove by "clear and convincing evidence." If notice is not filed, such evidence becomes inadmissible unless the court finds "good cause" for the delay. The law would directly affect defendants in Texas capital cases who qualify under this mental health definition, altering sentencing eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 1370 would create a property tax exemption for the portion of a property's appraised value resulting from using xeriscape landscaping (water-conserving landscaping that reduces irrigation needs). Property owners who implement xeriscape would have that specific value increase excluded from their ad valorem tax assessment. The exemption would apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in the 2025 election. If the amendment fails, the bill would not take effect.

Maddy summaryHJR 97 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to create a property tax exemption for the increased value of land resulting from xeriscape landscaping. Xeriscape refers to water-efficient landscaping using drought-resistant plants, so this would directly affect homeowners and property owners who adopt this practice. The amendment would let the legislature define "xeriscape" and set eligibility rules for the tax exemption, which applies only to the portion of property value tied to the landscaping. If approved by voters in November 2025, it would change how property taxes are calculated for qualifying properties. This is a procedural constitutional proposal, not a direct tax law.

Maddy summaryHB 3265 prohibits health benefit plan issuers, pharmacy benefit managers, and drug manufacturers from discriminating against entities participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. It bans denying access to discounted drugs, restricting acquisitions, or requiring unnecessary data submission as a condition for 340B drug access. Covered entities (like community health centers and hospitals), pharmacies under contract with them, and their authorized partners are directly protected. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $50,000 per offense, enforceable through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Maddy summaryHB 1079 would designate Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and Leadership Officer Training Corps (LOTC) programs as official public school career and technology education programs. This change would directly affect public schools offering these military-focused training programs, requiring them to be counted toward the state's career and technology education metrics. The bill also specifies that participation in these programs would serve as an indicator of military readiness within the public school accountability system. This legislation aims to formally integrate these programs into existing educational frameworks without altering their structure or curriculum. The bill is currently pending in committee after a public hearing.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution authorizes the burial of Guy Herman, a former Travis County probate judge, in the Texas State Cemetery. It follows existing law (Government Code § 2165.256) requiring the State Cemetery Committee to approve such burials based on a person's significant contribution to Texas history. The resolution specifically cites Judge Herman's 30+ years of service, including his work on mental health reforms, probate court leadership, and community contributions. The authorization is conditional on the State Cemetery Committee approving his burial application as required by law.

Maddy summaryHB 3557 would allow property tax appraisers to exclude the value of unfinished buildings intended for people to live or work in from a property's taxable value. Specifically, it applies to separate structures not yet complete as of January 1 each tax year, provided they are meant for human occupancy. The bill defines "complete" as either having a certificate of occupancy or no longer being under active construction, as determined by the appraiser. This change would directly affect property owners with ongoing construction projects, reducing their tax burden for incomplete structures. The law would take effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 137 designates specific routes for permits allowing oversize and overweight vehicles to travel from international border crossings to ports and industrial areas in Cameron and Hidalgo counties. The bill specifies exact roadways, including State Highways 48 and 4, U.S. Highways 77 and 83, and Farm-to-Market Roads 509 and 106, that must be used for these movements. It also grants the transportation commission authority to approve alternative routes after consulting with port authorities. This bill directly affects commercial trucking companies transporting large cargo across the U.S.-Mexico border in these counties.

Maddy summaryHB 5218 establishes designated routes for permits allowing larger cargo vehicles to move through specific areas near deepwater seaports on the U.S.-Mexico border. It directly affects commercial trucking companies transporting goods to and from these border ports by requiring permits for oversized or overweight vehicles traveling along these pre-approved routes. The bill's key provision is creating a formal system for route designation, streamlining permit issuance for vehicles serving border seaports while ensuring designated paths are used. This focuses on logistical efficiency for freight movement without altering vehicle size limits or creating new taxes. The bill is currently pending in the Transportation committee after a public hearing.

Maddy summaryHB 463 automatically expunges arrest records for individuals charged with certain controlled substance offenses when their case is dismissed under specific conditions. It directly affects defendants whose charges are dismissed due to completion of court programs (veterans, mental health, or pretrial intervention), lab results showing no controlled substance was present, or dismissal due to lack of probable cause. The bill requires courts to issue expungement orders within 30 days of dismissal in cases where lab analysis confirms no controlled substance was found, and prohibits courts from charging fees for this process. This policy change removes barriers to clearing records for eligible individuals without requiring additional court petitions.