Rep. Richard Raymond

Maddy summaryHB 3387 requires railroads to obtain a permit from the Texas Department of Transportation before employing rail workers whose primary workplace is in Mexico to perform services in Texas. The permit process includes a public hearing, 30 days of public comment, and verification that these workers meet U.S. safety standards. Railroads must certify compliance with U.S. safety standards for these employees during the permitting application. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3188 prohibits Texas SNAP (food stamp) recipients from using benefits to buy sweetened beverages (like soda), candy, pre-packaged chips, and cookies. It directly affects SNAP recipients in Texas who would no longer be able to use their benefits for these specific items. Key exceptions include milk products (including plant-based milks), unsweetened fruit/vegetable juices, infant formula, and fortified protein products. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, pending any required federal authorization.

Maddy summaryHB 2611 increases Texas homeowners' property tax exemption for primary residences (homesteads) from $100,000 to $140,000 per adult. This directly affects homeowners who qualify as primary residents and school districts that lose local tax revenue due to the exemption change. The bill requires the state to provide additional funding to school districts to offset revenue losses from the increased exemption, specifically for the 2023-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. It creates a mechanism where school districts receive state aid equal to the lost local tax revenue from the exemption increase, ensuring funding stability. The bill is pending in the Texas Legislature's Ways & Means Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2696 requires Texas public elementary and secondary schools to display a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The display must be at least 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall, contain only the specific text listed in the bill (including the full biblical wording), and be legible from any point in the classroom. Schools may accept privately donated displays meeting these requirements or use district funds to purchase compliant displays if needed. This law applies to all public schools and explicitly states they cannot claim exemption from this requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 1867 expands tuition and fee exemptions at Texas public colleges for siblings of military personnel who meet specific criteria. It applies to siblings of service members who were killed in action, died in service, are missing in action, or have service-connected disabilities (including Texas National Guard members since 1946). A key provision requires that the military member have no spouse or children to qualify the sibling for the exemption. The policy change takes effect for the 2025 fall semester, covering tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education.

Maddy summaryHR 136 is a memorial resolution honoring Clyde Vance Dunnam of Waco, a 94-year-old attorney who passed away on May 3, 2024. The resolution recognizes his 70-year career at Dunnam & Dunnam, LLP, his service as a mentor in Central Texas, and his community leadership in organizations like the Scottish Rite and Waco Jaycees. It also acknowledges his family life, including his marriage to Vicki Hohertz (until her death in 1995) and later to Merrilee Lafferty Harmon, and his dedication to faith and community. Adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on March 13, 2025, this procedural resolution serves as a formal tribute to his life and legacy, with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1932 would expand property tax exemptions for certain disabled veterans in Texas by lowering the required disability rating from 100% to 60% for full homestead exemption. It directly affects disabled veterans with at least 60% service-connected disability compensation (or individual unemployability) and their surviving spouses, allowing them to exempt the full value of their primary residence from ad valorem (property) taxes. The bill amends Texas Tax Code sections to update exemption criteria and requires local tax authorities to apply this exemption automatically. It would take effect January 1, 2026, but only if a related constitutional amendment passes in the 2025 election.

Maddy summaryHB 1548 would create a property tax exemption for Texas homeowners who are parents or guardians of a disabled person living with them. This exemption would reduce the taxable value of their primary residence by $10,000 for school districts and allow other taxing units (like cities or counties) to set their own exemption amount. To implement the exemption for non-school districts, local governments would need either approval from their governing body or a majority vote in a public election triggered by a petition from 20% of voters. The bill also clarifies that homeowners cannot claim multiple exemptions for the same home from the same local government in one tax year.

Maddy summaryHB 1543 requires Texas' attorney general to calculate and invoice the federal government for border security costs incurred by Texas during each state fiscal biennium. The bill mandates that the attorney general submit an annual invoice (with the first due by March 1, 2026) requesting reimbursement for border spending, capped at $20 billion for the initial recovery attempt. If the federal government doesn't pay within 6-8 months, Texas may sue to recover the funds, with any recovered amount deposited into the state's general revenue fund. This bill directly affects Texas' budget by creating a formal process to seek federal reimbursement for past border security expenditures.

Maddy summaryHB 1546 requires the Texas Education Agency to reimburse teachers for fees associated with obtaining a special education teaching certificate, including examination fees. It applies specifically to educators who earn the certificate within two years of starting their educator preparation program. The reimbursement covers all fees assessed by the agency for certificate issuance and required examinations. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.