Rep. Helen Kerwin

Maddy summaryHB 64 creates a rule that Texas state senators and representatives lose their seats if absent from all legislative proceedings without approved leave for seven consecutive days when their house is in session. This provision directly affects legislators who miss sessions without permission, triggering an immediate vacancy. The bill specifies that the absence must occur during days the house is meeting, not just calendar days. It would take effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, otherwise 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryHB 236 creates an affirmative defense for individuals prosecuted under certain laws if they were victims of human trafficking or compelled prostitution. It applies when a person engaged in criminal conduct (like prostitution or other offenses) directly because they were subjected to force, fraud, or coercion by traffickers, and would not have committed the act otherwise. The defense requires showing the conduct was compelled by such means, that a reasonable person in similar circumstances would have been compelled, and that the person wasn’t merely offered an opportunity without coercion. This applies to prosecutions for offenses under Sections 20A.02 (human trafficking) or 43.05 (prostitution) but excludes specific offenses listed in state law. The bill affects individuals prosecuted for crimes committed while trafficked, shifting legal focus to their victim status during prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 214, the Texas Women's Privacy Act, requires certain facilities like restrooms, locker rooms, and shelters to be designated for use based on biological sex (male or female). It directly affects correctional facilities, family violence shelters, institutions of higher education, and political subdivisions (e.g., cities, school districts). The bill prohibits the use of multiple-occupancy private spaces (like shared restrooms) by individuals whose biological sex differs from the space’s designated sex, while allowing single-occupancy spaces for individual use. Violations may result in civil penalties or private lawsuits for affected individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 186 restricts how local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) can use public funds for lobbying. It prohibits spending public money to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofit groups that represent local governments and employ lobbyists. Exceptions include activities by elected officials, employees providing information to legislators, travel expenses for such activities, and services by associations representing sheriffs or law enforcement. The bill allows taxpayers to sue to stop prohibited spending and recover legal fees if they win. This directly affects local government budget decisions regarding legislative advocacy.

Maddy summaryHB 98 would establish a 6.72% state value-added tax (VAT) on businesses selling goods or services in Texas, replacing certain existing local taxes like school district property taxes. Businesses would pay tax only on the "value added" to their products or services - subtracting taxes paid on business inputs from taxes collected on sales. The bill exempts small businesses, government entities, and nonprofits from the tax, while excluding financial services and other specified transactions. This VAT would fund school finance reform by replacing some local school district taxes with a new statewide revenue stream.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain Texas municipalities to use hotel and convention tax revenue for convention center projects by clarifying which cities qualify under existing tax law. It amends the Tax Code to specifically list 17 categories of eligible municipalities, such as cities with populations over 95,000 in counties bordering Lake Palestine or containing specific landmarks like the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. The bill does not create new taxes but defines which existing tax revenue streams can be directed toward convention center development. It applies only to cities meeting one of the 17 detailed population or geographic criteria outlined in the legislation.

Maddy summaryBased on the available information, HB 252 establishes an affirmative defense for individuals who are victims of human trafficking or compelling prostitution when prosecuted for offenses directly related to their victimization. The bill would allow these individuals to assert this defense in court, potentially avoiding criminal charges for acts committed under coercion. However, the specific legal mechanisms, eligibility criteria, and affected parties are not detailed in the provided context. The bill text is currently unavailable (noted as "coming soon"), so a full summary of provisions cannot be generated. For accurate details, the official bill text or PDF should be consulted once available.

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 97 would reduce property taxes for Texas school districts by using surplus state revenue. It requires the state to lower the "compression percentage" (the formula determining how much local property taxes can be reduced) when funds are deposited into the property tax relief fund. If this percentage reaches zero, school districts cannot impose certain local maintenance taxes and will receive full state funding as if they had the maximum tax rate with no local share. This bill directly affects all Texas public school districts by changing how state funds are allocated to offset local property tax burdens.

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.