Rep. J.M. Lozano

Maddy summarySB 40 prohibits local governments (like cities or counties) from using public funds to pay bail bonds through nonprofit organizations that accept public donations. It directly affects local governments and nonprofits handling bail payments, banning the use of taxpayer money for this purpose. The bill allows taxpayers or residents to seek court orders to stop such spending and recover legal fees if they win a lawsuit. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 9 requires magistrates to document in writing within 24 hours if they determine no probable cause exists for an arrest. It mandates a detailed public safety report for bail decisions, including defendants' criminal history, pending charges, previous failures to appear, and violence-related offenses. The bill also regulates charitable bail organizations and updates procedures for setting bail conditions. These changes directly affect defendants, magistrates, and charitable bail organizations by standardizing information used in pretrial release decisions.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (SB 4) increases the homestead exemption for school district property taxes from $100,000 to $140,000 per homeowner, directly affecting residential property owners. School districts will receive additional state aid to offset revenue losses from this exemption increase, calculated as the difference between current local revenue and what would have been available before the change. The compensation mechanism applies starting with the 2023-2024 school year for the initial exemption increase and will extend to future changes proposed for 2025. This ensures school districts maintain funding stability despite reduced local tax revenue from larger homestead exemptions.

Maddy summarySJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow judges to deny bail to individuals accused of certain violent or sexual offenses punishable as first-degree felonies, or continuous human trafficking. It directly affects people facing these specific charges by requiring judges to find, by clear and convincing evidence, that bail would not ensure court appearance or community safety. Key provisions include mandating written orders with specific findings for bail denials and requiring judges to consider standard bail factors under existing law. The amendment must be approved by voters in November 2025 to take effect, as it is a proposed constitutional change rather than an immediate law.

Maddy summarySJR 59 proposes a constitutional amendment to create two dedicated funds for Texas State Technical College System campuses: a permanent infrastructure fund for long-term capital projects and an available workforce education fund for immediate equipment and facility needs. This bill repeals a current funding limitation, allowing the system to access annual appropriations meant for public higher education institutions without restrictions. The funds would be financed through existing state appropriations, investments, and donations, managed by the comptroller, to support campus buildings, equipment, and educational program infrastructure. The amendment would directly affect Texas State Technical College System campuses by providing a dedicated, stable funding source for their capital requirements.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 1441), not a policy bill. It formally congratulates Jorge Antonio Borrego and Alexandria Cisneros Borrego of San Antonio on the birth of their son, Jett Antonio Borrego, welcomed as a symbolic gesture by the Texas House of Representatives. The resolution, adopted on June 1, 2025, expresses the House's "high regard" for the family and includes no legislative action or policy change. It has no effect on laws, regulations, or the public.

Maddy summaryHR 1440 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Texas House of Representatives to honor Dr. Jose Manuel Lozano of Falfurrias upon his retirement. It recognizes his 40-year medical career serving patients in South Texas, including his work as an emergency physician in Chicago and his establishment of a practice in Falfurrias in 2000. The resolution expresses the House's gratitude for his community involvement, including sponsoring Little League teams and his family's long-standing ties to the area. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legislative effect and serves solely as a formal expression of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 1246) passed by the Texas House of Representatives to honor John W. Galloway III for his retirement from Galloway & Sons Funeral Home in Beeville after 65 years of service. The resolution recognizes his founding of the family business in 1919, his 1972-1981 tenure as Beeville mayor, and his community leadership roles. It contains no policy changes or funding provisions - it solely offers formal congratulations and best wishes. As a commemorative resolution, it directly affects only John W. Galloway III and serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summarySB 402 allows Texas property owners to request that their ad valorem (property) tax refunds be mailed to a different address than the one listed on the appraisal roll. Property owners must submit a written request using a form provided by the comptroller before the refund is issued, and the tax collector must then send the refund to the requested address. The bill requires the form to include a warning about penalties for false statements under Texas law. This change applies only to requests filed on or after September 1, 2025, with older requests following prior rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5138 shifts responsibility for prosecuting election-related crimes from local prosecutors to the Texas Attorney General's office. It requires law enforcement agencies to report election law violations to the Attorney General and mandates that local prosecutors cooperate with the AG’s office. The bill creates new provisions in the Government Code (Subchapter D) and amends the Election Code to give the Attorney General sole authority to prosecute such offenses, effective September 1, 2026. This directly affects local law enforcement, county prosecutors, and the Attorney General’s office by centralizing prosecution authority for election crimes.