Rep. Helen Kerwin

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 summaryHB 160 prohibits the application of treated sewage sludge (biosolids) to non-agricultural land, such as public parks, golf courses, and athletic fields. It requires permits for any land application of biosolids on non-agricultural sites, with strict conditions including quarterly reporting on sludge source, location, metals content, and application dates. The bill amends Texas Health and Safety Code Section 361.121 to define "land application unit" and adds new reporting requirements for permit holders. It directly affects municipalities, park departments, and private entities managing non-agricultural land where biosolids might otherwise be used. The law does not restrict agricultural land applications, which are addressed in a separate new section (361.1211).

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 300 amends Texas Tax Code Section 351.152 to clarify which municipalities may use hotel and convention center tax revenue for specific projects. The bill defines 17 distinct categories of eligible cities based on population thresholds and geographic criteria, such as municipalities with populations over 95,000 bordering Lake Lewisville (item 15) or those located in counties with specific population sizes. It directly affects qualifying cities by expanding their authority to allocate these tax revenues toward convention center developments. The key mechanism is a technical update to eligibility rules in the Tax Code, without creating new funding sources or altering tax rates.

Maddy summaryHB 18 expands the Texas comptroller’s authority to fund emergency communication systems by adding specific provisions to the state’s funding rules. It authorizes state funds to support early warning systems for natural disasters and interoperable emergency radio systems, including their equipment, operations, and administration. This change directly affects local governments and emergency services providers who deploy these systems. The bill modifies existing funding mechanisms under the Government Code to ensure resources are available for these critical communication tools.

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 8 establishes a statewide "instructionally supportive assessment program" for Texas public schools, requiring the Texas Education Agency to create assessments focused on student progress monitoring and essential knowledge. It mandates that school districts provide parents with one-click access to their child's assessment results through a parent portal on the agency's website, including secure, unique access codes. The bill also updates school performance ratings and interventions under the accountability system, while creating a grant program to help districts develop local accountability plans. This directly affects public school students, parents, and school districts by changing how assessment data is shared and used to evaluate school performance.

Maddy summaryHB 11 requires the Texas Attorney General to prosecute criminal offenses related to election laws, shifting responsibility from local prosecutors to the state level. It mandates that law enforcement agencies report such offenses to the Attorney General and obligates local prosecutors to provide requested information and assist in prosecutions. The Attorney General may also direct local district attorneys to either prosecute these cases or support the state's efforts. These changes apply only to offenses committed after the bill's effective date, which is set for 91 days after the legislative session ends.