Rep. Andy Hopper

Maddy summaryHB 295 changes Texas election rules for voters who move within their county but haven't updated their registration. It allows voters to cast ballots in their current precinct immediately after submitting a statement verifying their new address and meeting residency requirements, instead of waiting 30 days for registration changes to take effect. The bill requires voters to provide the same information needed for initial registration, including their current address and a statement confirming they reside in the precinct. This applies only to address change notices submitted after the bill's effective date. The law affects voters who relocate within their county but haven't updated their registration records.

Maddy summaryHJR 10 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to change the quorum requirement for the Texas Senate or House of Representatives from two-thirds to a simple majority of members. This would allow legislative business to proceed with fewer members present, directly affecting how both chambers conduct sessions and pass legislation. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in a May 2, 2026, election, with the ballot asking whether "a majority of the members" should constitute a quorum. If passed, this change would alter a core procedural rule governing legislative operations.

Maddy summaryHB 298 creates a rule for when Texas state legislators lose their seats due to missing sessions. If a senator or representative misses 14 unexcused floor sessions during a regular legislative session (or 3 during a special session) without majority approval from their chamber, their seat becomes vacant. This applies only to absences occurring after the bill’s effective date and does not affect existing terms. The bill directly affects legislators who fail to attend sessions without valid justification approved by their chamber’s majority.

Maddy summaryHB 12 requires the Texas Attorney General to exclusively prosecute criminal offenses under state election laws, shifting authority from local prosecutors. It mandates that law enforcement agencies report election-related crimes to the Attorney General and obligates local prosecutors to provide requested investigation information. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date, leaving pre-existing cases governed by prior law. This change centralizes election crime prosecution under the state Attorney General's office, eliminating local jurisdiction for these specific offenses.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes amending the Texas Constitution to clarify that the Attorney General has concurrent authority with county and district attorneys to prosecute criminal violations of election laws. If approved by voters (scheduled for May 2, 2026), it would establish shared jurisdiction for election-related criminal cases between the state Attorney General and local prosecutors. The bill failed to pass the legislature on August 26, 2025, and did not advance to voter approval. It does not create new criminal offenses but defines existing prosecutorial authority under election law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution removes eligibility for leadership roles from Democratic Texas House members who intentionally left the chamber on August 3, 2025, to prevent a quorum during a special session focused on redistricting. It specifically bars these members from serving as Dean of the House or committee chairs/vice-chairs for the duration of their current term. Eligibility may be restored through a two-thirds vote of the House if the member demonstrates renewed commitment to legislative duties. The resolution applies only to those who participated in the deliberate quorum break, as documented in the resolution's findings.

Maddy summaryHR 41 is a resolution targeting Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives who intentionally left the state to prevent a quorum during a special session on August 3, 2025. It imposes a $500 daily fine per member for each day absent (deducted from salary), reduces their office budgets by 30%, revokes committee chair stipends, and requires repayment of costs incurred to restore quorum. These penalties apply to members who participated in the quorum break during the 89th Legislature's special session on redistricting. The resolution was filed on August 18, 2025, and referred to the House Administration Committee.

Maddy summaryHR 58 amends the Texas House of Representatives' permanent rules to remove a restriction preventing the minority party from appointing a member as vice-chair of standing committees. It also eliminates a separate budget for the vice-chair position. These changes directly affect committee leadership structure by allowing bipartisan appointments for vice-chairs and removing dedicated funding for that role. The bill specifically revises Rule 4, Section 4A (removing the party restriction) and adds Rule 4, Section 6A(c) (ending the separate budget). This is a procedural rule change focused on internal committee operations, not a policy affecting public programs or services.

Maddy summaryHB 296 modifies Texas election rules for voters who change their residence within a county but haven't updated their registration. It requires voters to submit a signed statement confirming their new address and residency before voting in their current precinct, with registration changes taking effect 30 days after submitting the notice. The bill directly affects voters who move within a county but haven't completed registration updates, ensuring they can vote while their address change processes. It repeals a previous provision allowing immediate registration changes and applies only to address notices submitted on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 289 modifies Texas property tax rules for agricultural land, changing how land qualifies for lower "productivity value" appraisals instead of market value. It requires landowners to have used property "exclusively for agriculture for three years" and to make agriculture their "primary occupation" to qualify. The bill also clarifies that changing land use (e.g., to non-farming purposes) or selling the land ends eligibility for the special appraisal, triggering higher property taxes. These changes affect Texas landowners who currently qualify for agricultural tax exemptions under Tax Code Sections 23.42 and 23.51.