Rep. Andy Hopper

Maddy summaryHB 91 would reduce school district property tax rates by using surplus state revenue to lower the "state compression percentage" that determines how much districts can charge for maintenance and operations. It directs the comptroller to allocate surplus state revenue into a property tax relief fund, which the commissioner can then use to further reduce this percentage. If the percentage reaches zero, school districts would be prohibited from imposing the lowest tier of property taxes and would automatically qualify for full state funding as if they had the maximum allowable tax rate. This bill directly affects all Texas public school districts by potentially lowering their local tax burdens and changing their funding structure.

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 80 imposes civil liability on individuals or entities distributing abortion-inducing drugs and requires internet service providers to take specific actions related to such content. The bill creates a new criminal offense for violations and authorizes private individuals to file civil lawsuits for breaches of the law. This legislation directly affects distributors of abortion drugs, internet service providers, and those involved in civil litigation under the new provisions. Note: Specific details of the internet service provider duties and criminal offense are not provided in the available bill text.

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 summaryHR 68 is a resolution passed by the Texas House of Representatives to congratulate Judge J.D. Clark on his election as President of the National Association of Counties (NACo). The resolution recognizes his service as Wise County Judge since 2014, his leadership in county government, and his role in preserving local history and promoting county best practices. It will be presented to Judge Clark as a formal expression of the House's support for his national leadership role. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution formally designates the city of Alvord, Texas, as the "official Gateway to the Grasslands" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It recognizes Alvord's role as the primary access point to the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland, specifically highlighting its connection to the LBJ Multiuse Trail System. The designation, which aligns with Section 391.003(e) of the Texas Government Code, does not create new laws or alter existing policies but formally acknowledges the community's significance for visitors accessing the grassland area.

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 summaryThe bill HB 257, titled "Relating to a vacancy in the office of senator or representative due to excessive absence," was filed on August 4, 2025. However, the full text of the bill is not available in the provided context, and no specific provisions or mechanisms are described. Without access to the bill's details, a summary of its concrete policy changes or who it directly affects cannot be generated. The context only confirms the bill's title and filing date, not its substantive content.