Rep. Helen Kerwin

Maddy summaryHB 215 modifies Texas law to limit landowner liability for groundwater use. It specifically protects landowners (including lessees, heirs, and assigns) who pump 25,000+ gallons of groundwater daily for beneficial use, stating they cannot be sued for interference unless their pumping: (1) lowers water tables harming neighboring land, or (2) unreasonably harms watercourses/lakes. The bill applies only to lawsuits filed after its effective date. This change directly affects large-scale groundwater users, such as agricultural or industrial operations, by reducing legal risks for routine use.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution (HR 23) urges Governor Greg Abbott to return federal funds received through the federal reconciliation bill to Texas taxpayers via property tax relief. It does not create new policy or allocate funds - it is a symbolic request from the Texas House of Representatives. The resolution specifically asks the Governor to direct these federal funds toward reducing property taxes for Texans. As a resolution, it has no legal force and cannot compel the Governor to act. The House will forward a copy to the Governor's office as part of this formal request.

Maddy summaryHB 173 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities, counties, or school districts) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit associations that primarily represent such entities and hire lobbyists. It specifically bans spending public money to: (1) contract with registered lobbyists, or (2) support organizations that hire registered lobbyists for legislative advocacy. Exceptions include activities by sheriffs' associations, employees providing basic information to legislators, or nonprofits offering bill tracking or non-lobbying legislative services. The bill allows taxpayers to seek court injunctions and recover legal fees if a subdivision violates these restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 129 requires the state comptroller to dedicate 10% of surplus state revenue exceeding $1.5 billion in each biennium to school district property tax relief. Specifically, if the state has more general revenue than projected at the end of a biennium, the comptroller must deposit 10% of the excess (after required transfers) into a special fund. This fund can only be used to reduce school districts' maintenance and operations property tax rates, directly benefiting school districts and property taxpayers. The bill takes effect for the 2027-2028 biennium and mandates that funds are exclusively for property tax relief, with no other uses permitted.

Maddy summaryHB 130 replaces certain school district taxes with a new 6.72% state value added tax (VAT) on businesses selling goods or services for profit. The bill calculates the tax as the difference between taxes businesses pay on purchases (input tax) and taxes they collect on sales (output tax), with exemptions for small businesses, government entities, and nonprofits. It repeals local school district maintenance and operations taxes while excluding financial services, employment, and items already taxed under other laws. The VAT revenue will fund state education, though the bill text cuts off before detailing the full allocation.

Maddy summaryHB 131 updates Texas property tax rules for charitable organizations. It requires nonprofits (like hospitals or shelters) that own tax-exempt property to notify tax officials within 30 days of major changes, such as selling the property or losing IRS 501(c)(3) status. For exemptions expiring before January 1, 2026, the bill automatically reinstates them if the organization submits proof of prior exemption and a valid IRS letter, preventing tax liability during the transition. Organizations that paid taxes during the gap between expiration and reinstatement will receive refunds.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would give Texas' Attorney General concurrent authority with county and district attorneys to prosecute criminal violations of election laws. It specifically adds a provision to the state constitution stating the AG "shall have concurrent jurisdiction" to handle these cases alongside local prosecutors. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2025 election to take effect. This change directly affects how election-related criminal cases are handled across Texas, clarifying the AG's role in enforcing election law violations.

Maddy summaryHB 98 amends Texas law to require judges to disqualify district or county attorneys who consistently refuse to prosecute violations of election laws. If an attorney has a pattern of declining to pursue such cases, a judge must remove them from handling those specific prosecutions. The Attorney General then gains authority to step in and prosecute these election-related offenses when a local prosecutor is disqualified. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior cases governed by existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 65 addresses abortion-related matters by establishing civil liability for distributing abortion-inducing drugs and creating a private right to sue for violations. The bill also includes provisions to harmonize related laws and make conforming changes to existing statutes. It directly affects individuals and entities distributing such drugs, as well as those seeking legal recourse. However, the full bill text is unavailable in the provided context, so specific details about implementation or affected groups cannot be confirmed. For complete information, refer to the bill's official PDF.

Maddy summaryHB 62 aims to reduce school district property taxes by allocating surplus state revenue toward maintenance and operations costs. The bill would directly affect school districts and property taxpayers in the state by lowering local ad valorem tax burdens. However, the full bill text is unavailable in the provided context (noted as "coming soon" with only a PDF reference), so specific mechanisms or implementation details cannot be confirmed. A complete summary meeting the requested criteria cannot be provided without access to the bill's content.