Rep. Mitch Little

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 36) commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Metrocrest Hospital Authority in Carrollton. It honors the organization's founding in 1975 and its 50 years of providing healthcare services across North Dallas communities, including Carrollton, Farmers Branch, and Coppell. The resolution formally commends the authority for its contributions to regional healthcare and directs the Texas House of Representatives to provide a copy of the resolution to the hospital authority. It does not create new policies, funding, or obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 163 defines an unborn child as a human being from fertilization until birth for legal purposes, requiring Texas criminal and civil laws to apply equally to unborn children as to born individuals. The bill repeals existing laws that permitted "prenatal homicide" (harming an unborn child without criminal penalty) and that could be interpreted as allowing pressure on pregnant women to obtain abortions. It adds exceptions for lifesaving medical procedures to save a pregnant mother's life (when steps are taken to save the unborn child) and for spontaneous miscarriages. This would change how offenses against unborn children are treated in Texas courts, including in criminal prosecutions for causing harm or death.

Maddy summaryHB 152 requires certain facilities serving vulnerable populations (like children, elderly, or disabled individuals) located in floodplains or with a history of disaster-related communication failures to maintain emergency communication devices. Specifically, these facilities must have portable satellite equipment or radios that work without landlines or cell towers during emergencies. The bill creates civil liability if facilities fail to comply, allowing individuals to sue for damages and recover attorney fees. This law applies only to qualifying facilities and takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 151) limits annual increases in the property tax value for Texas primary residences (homesteads). It caps the appraised value increase for a tax year to the lesser of: (1) the property's most recent market value, or (2) 10% of the prior year's value plus the prior year's value plus the value of new improvements. The rule applies only to tax years starting January 1, 2027, but only if Texas voters approve a related constitutional amendment in 2025. It directly affects homeowners with homestead properties paying property taxes under Texas law.

Maddy summaryHB 153 requires Texas school districts to wait at least five years between bond elections seeking voter approval for new school construction or renovations. It directly affects school districts that wish to issue bonds for capital projects, preventing them from holding frequent bond votes. The bill amends the Education Code to add a new provision (Section 45.0034) stating that no bond election may occur before the fifth anniversary of a previous district bond election. This change aims to limit the frequency of such elections, ensuring voter approval is not sought too often for major school funding decisions.

Maddy summaryHJR 18 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Texas legislature to set a lower limit on the maximum appraised value used for property taxes on primary residences (homesteads). It would let the legislature cap annual increases at no more than 102% of the previous year's appraised value, instead of the current full market value. This primarily affects homeowners who qualify for the homestead exemption under Texas law. The limit would apply starting the tax year after qualifying for the exemption and expire if the homeowner no longer qualifies for the exemption. The amendment must be approved by voters in the May 2026 election.

Maddy summaryHB 128 establishes a $1,000 annual grant program for eligible Texas teachers to purchase classroom supplies through an online account system managed by the comptroller. It directly affects certified teachers employed full-time (at least four hours daily) in public school districts or charter schools. Teachers may use funds for classroom supplies or professional development costs, with unused balances rolling over to the next school year. The program begins for the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 106 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to partner with U.S. Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct DNA testing via rapid tests on individuals crossing the Texas-Mexico border between ports of entry who are detained by DHS and suspected of human trafficking offenses under Texas Penal Code Chapter 20A. The bill mandates DPS destroy all biological samples after testing and prohibits DPS from maintaining a DNA database, entering results into federal CODIS systems, or searching existing DNA databases. DHS must cover all costs for this program, and any agreement between DPS and DHS must include these destruction and prohibition requirements. The law directly affects DPS operations, DHS enforcement, and individuals detained for suspected trafficking-related activity.

Maddy summaryHB 34 revises the definition of "eligible school district" for the comptroller's study of school district property values. A district qualifies only if, in the most recent study, its local property value was invalid (not meeting standards) but did not exceed the state value, and for the two prior studies, its local value was valid (met standards). This change applies exclusively to property value studies for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, meaning it will not affect past studies. The bill focuses on clarifying eligibility criteria for the comptroller's ongoing assessment process.

Maddy summaryHJR 6 proposes a constitutional amendment clarifying that the Texas Attorney General has the authority to prosecute criminal offenses under state election laws, alongside county or district attorneys. This would allow the Attorney General's office to directly handle election-related criminal cases in addition to local prosecutors. The bill does not create new election crimes but specifies that the Attorney General shares jurisdiction with local officials for existing election law violations. If approved by voters in May 2026, this change would modify Article IV, Section 22 of the Texas Constitution.