Rep. Cole Hefner

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 summaryThis bill creates a state grant program to fund improvements to smaller railroads in rural areas. Grants can cover track or bridge replacements, capacity upgrades, or rail restoration projects that boost public safety, economic development, or reduce road traffic congestion. Applicants must contribute at least 10% of project costs from non-state sources, and funds must come only from money specifically set aside for rail grants (not general highway funds). The program directly affects rural rail districts and Class II/III shortline railroads operating under federal classification.

Maddy summarySB 2312 creates the Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict to prepare for potential international crises that could disrupt Texas' supply chains or critical infrastructure. The committee, composed of nine members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house, will develop pre-conflict security strategies and gather information to support state response during emergencies. It defines "critical infrastructure" to include systems like oil/gas, water, power, and emergency services, and "geopolitical conflict" as events threatening these systems through war, diplomatic breakdowns, or supply chain disruptions. The bill aims to enhance Texas' defensive posture and protect citizens by making proactive preparations, without altering existing laws or funding.

Maddy summarySB 1099 increases criminal penalties for certain felony offenses committed by individuals classified as "illegal aliens" under Texas law. It requires judges to make an affirmative finding if a defendant was an illegal alien (defined as someone who entered without inspection or violated nonimmigrant status) at the time of the offense, triggering higher penalties. For non-capital felonies, this raises the punishment to the next higher category; for first-degree felonies, it mandates a minimum 15-year prison term. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and was recently reported favorably by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on May 15, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 659 increases penalties for smuggling people into Texas by raising certain cases from a third-degree felony to second- or first-degree felonies. It specifically raises penalties if the smuggling causes serious injury or death, involves children under 18, uses firearms, or involves government resources to facilitate the crime. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change penalties for past offenses. This directly affects smugglers who meet these aggravating conditions and the courts prosecuting such cases.

Maddy summaryHB 3722 restricts the height of new structures near specific airspace used by Department of Defense contractors. It prohibits building any structure over 500 feet tall within five miles of an aerobatic training area designated by the Federal Aviation Administration before January 1, 2025. This directly affects developers and property owners planning construction near these designated training zones. The law aims to prevent obstructions that could interfere with military aviation training operations. It would take effect on September 1, 2025, if not passed as an immediate measure.

Maddy summarySB 412 amends Texas Penal Code sections 43.24 and 43.25 to add new affirmative defenses for certain offenses involving material or conduct harmful to children. It allows judicial or law enforcement officers to use their official duties as a defense when prosecuted under specific sections, and adds two other defenses: being the child’s spouse or being no more than two years older than the child. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, and does not affect past cases. These changes directly affect prosecutors, defendants in such cases, and law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity.

Maddy summaryHCR 89 is a symbolic resolution designating the cannon as Texas's official state gun, primarily to honor its historical significance in Texas independence. It references key events like the "Come and Take It" cannon at the Battle of Gonzales and cannons used at the Alamo and San Jacinto. The bill does not create new laws or regulations but formally recognizes cannons as a symbol of Texas heritage. This designation applies only to ceremonial purposes, not to firearm laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2879 protects condo owners, tenants, and their guests from penalties like fines or eviction for using justified force (including deadly force) on residential property, as defined under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9. The bill creates an "irrebuttable presumption" that force was justified if the person was acquitted, a grand jury declined to indict, or prosecutors declined to file charges for the same incident. It applies to condominiums (via Property Code Section 82.122) and leased residential properties (via Sections 92.027 and 94.258), preventing associations or landlords from taking adverse action based on legally justified force. The law overrides any conflicting terms in property declarations or leases, regardless of when they were adopted.

Maddy summaryHB 3453 limits the liability of nonprofit organizations contracted by Texas' Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or a single source continuum contractor to provide foster care or adoption services. To qualify for this protection, nonprofits must meet five specific requirements: conduct background checks on staff, confirm they are not barred from child care, report misconduct, take action on misconduct, and provide required training in child abuse prevention and reporting. The bill does not shield nonprofits from liability for gross negligence. This change modifies how civil lawsuits against these organizations are handled, focusing on ensuring safety standards are met before holding nonprofits accountable.