Rep. Pat Curry

Maddy summaryHB 199 requires Texas school districts to hold bond elections for voter approval on specific, standardized dates - either a general primary election, general election for state/county offices, or the May uniform election date. This directly affects all school districts seeking bond issuance, as they can no longer schedule these elections on arbitrary dates. The bill mandates that school boards must align bond elections with existing statewide election schedules, eliminating district discretion over election timing. This change streamlines the voting process by ensuring bond votes occur during established election cycles, reducing administrative complexity for districts.

Maddy summaryHB 52, titled the Texas Women's Privacy Act, requires certain facilities - including restrooms, locker rooms, shelters, correctional facilities, and colleges - to be designated for use based on biological sex (male or female) as defined by reproductive anatomy. The bill authorizes civil penalties for violations and allows private lawsuits to enforce compliance. It specifically applies to "multiple-occupancy private spaces" like shared restrooms and "family violence shelters," but excludes state agencies. The law defines "female" as individuals with a reproductive system for egg production and "male" as those with a system for sperm production.

Maddy summaryHB 167 restricts local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofits that lobby on their behalf. It prohibits spending taxpayer money to contract with registered lobbyists or support organizations representing local governments that employ lobbyists, though exceptions exist for direct communication by government employees or advocacy by elected officials. The bill allows reimbursement for travel expenses related to permitted activities and lets taxpayers sue to stop violations and recover legal fees. It directly affects how local governments allocate public funds for legislative advocacy efforts.

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 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 summaryHB 246 defines "brine minerals" (including bromine, lithium, magnesium, and sodium chloride) and establishes that landowners own these minerals beneath their property as real property, responsible for protecting other owners' rights. It amends the Water Code to define "brine" as subterranean liquids containing these minerals (excluding groundwater, oil, gas, and oil/gas waste) and creates a new reporting requirement for operators of brine mining wells and injection wells. The bill directly affects landowners, mineral extraction companies, and the Railroad Commission, which must adopt rules to regulate brine mining operations. This defines ownership and regulatory frameworks for brine mineral production without creating new financial programs or subsidies.

Maddy summaryHB 197 limits when courts can consider evidence of an employee's THC use in civil negligence lawsuits against employers. It prohibits admitting evidence of medical low-THC cannabis use (per Texas law) unless the employer knew about the use, knew the employee was intoxicated before the incident, and failed to intervene. For non-medical THC use, a positive test alone cannot be used as evidence unless the employer also proves the employee was intoxicated at the time of the incident. The law applies only to cases filed after its effective date (91 days post-legislative session).

Maddy summaryHB 198 directs Texas' Department of State Health Services to study scientific methods for testing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) intoxication, similar to blood alcohol content standards. The study must evaluate existing testing methods, develop a scientifically valid intoxication threshold for legal use, and create legislative recommendations. It specifically aims to support prosecutions under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49 (DUI offenses), civil liability cases, and workplace safety regulations. The department must submit a final report with recommendations by October 1, 2026, to state leadership. This bill creates a study process but does not enact new laws or directly affect residents.