Rep. Wes Virdell

Maddy summaryHB 115 restricts Texas local governments (like cities and counties) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay organizations that hire lobbyists to influence state legislation. The bill specifically prohibits spending public money to contract with registered lobbyists or fund associations primarily representing local governments if those associations employ registered lobbyists, with exceptions for sheriffs' associations and certain staff activities. It allows local government employees to provide information to lawmakers, advocate for policies without registering as lobbyists, and cover direct travel expenses for such activities. Taxpayers or residents can sue to stop prohibited spending and recover legal fees if they win the case. The law aims to prevent public funds from being used to directly lobby the state legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 95 establishes minimum training and certification standards for Emergency Management Coordinators in Texas counties with populations over 500,000. It requires these coordinators, appointed by Emergency Management Directors, to meet qualifications set by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The bill directly affects county emergency management staff in larger jurisdictions who handle disaster response coordination. Key provisions mandate that coordinators' qualifications be defined through division rules, ensuring standardized emergency management capacity across qualifying counties.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Governor Greg Abbott to return federal reconciliation funds to Texas taxpayers by implementing property tax relief. The Texas House of Representatives passed this non-binding resolution to formally request the Governor use the funds for property tax cuts, directing the chief clerk to forward a copy to the Governor's office. It does not require legal action or change existing tax policy, as resolutions like this serve only as a formal expression of legislative opinion.

Maddy summaryHB 162 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities or counties) from using eminent domain to acquire property outside their own boundaries. The bill adds a new provision (Section 2206.003) to the Government Code stating that political subdivisions "may not take through eminent domain public or private property located outside the political subdivision's boundaries." This directly affects local governments seeking to acquire land for projects beyond their jurisdictional limits. The law creates a clear restriction on eminent domain use, overriding prior allowances that permitted such acquisitions outside boundaries.

Maddy summaryHB 309 requires campgrounds, hotels, and recreational vehicle parks located in FEMA-defined floodplains or within a quarter-mile of a river or creek to maintain working weather alert radios. The bill mandates that these properties have a radio in every sleeping room and common area, and provide a special radio for hearing-impaired guests upon request. This law directly affects lodging facilities in flood-prone or river-adjacent areas by requiring emergency weather alert devices for guest safety.

Maddy summaryHB 306 requires the Upper Guadalupe River Authority to conduct a study assessing flood risks to life and property in the Upper Guadalupe River basin and evaluate potential flood mitigation solutions. The study must analyze existing data, incorporate recent flood events, and develop hydraulic models to assess projects like detention storage, river modifications, and improved drainage systems. The Authority must propose up to eight prioritized projects after considering community feedback, cost-benefit analysis, and impacts on water supply, recreation, and the environment. This study will directly inform future flood prevention efforts for communities in the Upper Guadalupe River basin.

Maddy summaryHB 305 creates a state-administered flood recovery loan program to provide low-interest loans to Texas residents whose homes, farms, or businesses were damaged by floods in areas officially declared disaster zones by the governor. The program allows loans for specific, immediate needs like debris removal, repairing or rebuilding property, upgrading structures to better withstand future floods, or purchasing essential equipment such as farm machinery. The Texas Division of Emergency Management will manage the program, monitor loan usage to ensure compliance, conduct random audits, and offer support through a toll-free hotline and multilingual online resources for applicants. This directly affects property owners in declared flood disaster areas seeking financial assistance for recovery efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 292 establishes a Texas Disaster Recovery Fund to provide financial assistance to residents affected by natural disasters when federal aid falls short. The fund, administered by the state division, will cover property repairs, medical costs, temporary housing, and lost wages for eligible claimants who suffer direct damage or injury from qualifying weather events (like hurricanes or floods) and apply within two years of the event. It is financed through state appropriations, federal grants, donations, and interest earnings. This bill directly affects Texas residents who experience disaster-related losses not fully addressed by federal relief.

Maddy summaryHB 4 establishes new congressional district boundaries for Texas voters to be used in the 2026 U.S. House elections. It adopts the PLANC2308 redistricting plan based on 2020 Census data (TIGER/Line Shapefiles) to define district lines. The bill replaces all prior Texas congressional district maps, including those from 2021, and applies to elections starting with the 120th Congress (2026). This is a procedural redistricting bill directly affecting Texas residents' voting districts for federal elections beginning in 2026.

Maddy summaryThe bill HB 257, titled "Relating to a vacancy in the office of senator or representative due to excessive absence," was filed on August 4, 2025. However, the full text of the bill is not available in the provided context, and no specific provisions or mechanisms are described. Without access to the bill's details, a summary of its concrete policy changes or who it directly affects cannot be generated. The context only confirms the bill's title and filing date, not its substantive content.