Rep. Pat Curry

Maddy summarySB 2707 modifies Texas Transportation Code provisions related to oversize or overweight vehicle permits. It allows the Texas Department of Transportation to waive permit fees and surety requirements (like bonds or letters of credit) for governmental entities, including cities, counties, and other public agencies. The bill specifically exempts municipal vehicles from certain permit rules and expands waiver authority to all governmental entities through department rules. This change directly affects government-owned vehicles requiring special permits for oversized or overweight travel on Texas roads. The policy change takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1043 requires the Texas General Land Office to study a pilot program using distributed ledger technology (like blockchain) for recording property titles. The study, conducted with a working group including the Department of Insurance and Information Resources, will evaluate two approaches: a public ledger (all records publicly accessible) and a hybrid model (basic info on public ledger, full documents on a secure system). It must include at least one rural and one urban county to compare costs, security, transparency, and complexity, while ensuring current property recording methods aren’t disrupted. The bill does not implement the program but assesses its feasibility for future county adoption.

Maddy summarySJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Texas school district property tax exemptions for elderly or disabled homeowners. Currently, the exemption for these residents is $10,000; this bill would raise it to $60,000 of a home's market value. The amendment would allow the legislature to adjust this exemption amount, with provisions ensuring eligible individuals (65+ or disabled) cannot receive both the basic exemption and this enhanced benefit. It directly affects Texas homeowners aged 65 or older or with disabilities who own their primary residence. The bill requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.

Maddy summarySJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead exemption for school district property taxes in Texas from $100,000 to $140,000. This change would directly reduce the taxable value of a primary residence for school taxes, lowering property tax bills for homeowners. The amendment requires voter approval in a November 2025 election to take effect for the 2025 tax year. If passed, it would provide an additional $40,000 in tax relief on primary homes for school funding purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 4212 establishes the Texas Land, Water, and Wildlife Conservation Account and creates a dedicated conservation board to manage it. The board, composed of eight members including agency leaders and public appointees, will oversee funding allocation for habitat management, wildlife population restoration, and conservation practices on public and private lands. It will administer the account to support projects protecting Texas' natural resources, including public access areas like state parks. The bill directs the conservation board to manage funds in coordination with the Texas General Land Office.

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 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 1197 amends Texas Penal Code Section 42.15 to criminalize unauthorized operation of unmanned aircraft (drones) over licensed spaceports. It prohibits intentionally or knowingly operating drones that interfere with spaceport operations, cause contact with facilities, or disturb activities there. The law includes specific defenses for government entities, contractors, law enforcement, spaceport owners, or individuals with prior written authorization from spaceport operators or the Federal Aviation Administration. This directly affects drone operators near spaceports like SpaceX’s Starbase, requiring compliance with new safety restrictions to avoid criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 3829 requires the Texas Department of State Health Services, in partnership with the Texas Humane Legislation Network, to study how grants from the "animal friendly account" (funding for animal sterilization programs) are awarded. The study must analyze grant impacts on public animal sterilization, improve application processes, streamline reporting, increase grant awareness, and gather feedback from past grant recipients. The department must submit a final report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by September 1, 2026. This bill directly affects organizations applying for or receiving these grants, focusing on improving the grant process without making new funding rules.

Maddy summaryHB 5098 creates a state-administered loan program to help eligible health care facilities - such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and mental health hospitals - purchase and implement electronic health record (EHR) systems. The program offers low-interest loans (up to 1% interest, up to 10 years) covering up to 80% of costs for facilities in rural or medically underserved areas or those serving Medicaid patients, and up to 50% for others. The executive commissioner will establish rules for eligibility, applications, and loan terms, with preference given to facilities serving vulnerable populations. The bill excludes abortion providers and diagnostic centers from participation.