Rep. Matt Shaheen

Maddy summarySB 1539 amends Texas election law to clarify procedures when a contest is filed over a vote on a proposed constitutional amendment. It requires the governor to delay declaring the official election result until the contest is resolved, and mandates that the court’s final judgment must direct the governor to declare the election valid or void within 10 days. These changes apply to contests filed on or after September 1, 2025, while older contests follow prior law. The bill directly affects election officials, courts, and voters involved in constitutional amendment contests.

Maddy summarySJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Texas school district property tax exemptions for elderly or disabled homeowners. Currently, the exemption for these residents is $10,000; this bill would raise it to $60,000 of a home's market value. The amendment would allow the legislature to adjust this exemption amount, with provisions ensuring eligible individuals (65+ or disabled) cannot receive both the basic exemption and this enhanced benefit. It directly affects Texas homeowners aged 65 or older or with disabilities who own their primary residence. The bill requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 2403 requires campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission to be submitted electronically (via software meeting commission standards) instead of by fax or hand delivery. Reports must be received electronically by midnight of the first business day after a contribution or expenditure, or by 5 p.m. the next business day if filed by fax or hand. The bill removes the requirement for most reports to include a signature affidavit and adjusts late-filing penalties, including a $500 flat fee for most late reports and tiered daily penalties for others. This directly affects campaign committees and candidates submitting financial reports under Texas election law.

Maddy summarySJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead exemption for school district property taxes in Texas from $100,000 to $140,000. This change would directly reduce the taxable value of a primary residence for school taxes, lowering property tax bills for homeowners. The amendment requires voter approval in a November 2025 election to take effect for the 2025 tax year. If passed, it would provide an additional $40,000 in tax relief on primary homes for school funding purposes.

Maddy summarySB 1863 requires the Texas Secretary of State to conduct randomized audits of election procedures in 16 counties (reduced from 89) following each November election. It mandates that counties register with the Secretary of State and notify them 90 days before elections, while audits must cover voter registration accuracy, equipment testing, mail ballot procedures, and election record documentation. The bill specifies that audits must randomly select 13 counties with under 300,000 residents and 3 counties with 300,000+ residents, excluding counties audited in the previous cycle. Audits cannot occur during election contest periods or runoffs, and must be completed before the next election cycle. This applies directly to all Texas counties and political subdivisions holding elections.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to exempt up to $125,000 of the market value of business-used tangible personal property (like equipment or vehicles) from property tax. It would directly affect business owners who hold such property for income generation, such as small business operators or farmers. The amendment would revise the state constitution to authorize this specific exemption amount, replacing the current exemption structure. If approved by voters in November 2025, this would become a permanent constitutional provision enabling future legislation to implement the tax break. The bill is now headed to the November ballot after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Texas Property Code definitions to clarify who can be appointed to handle foreclosure sales under contract liens. It revises the definitions of "substitute trustee" and "trustee" to explicitly include corporations, government entities, and other legal organizations - not just individuals - as authorized parties. This affects mortgage lenders, servicers, and the entities they appoint when exercising the power of sale on real property. The change streamlines the process by expanding the pool of eligible appointees without altering foreclosure procedures themselves.

Maddy summaryHB 5169 limits tax rebates and grants municipalities can offer to businesses relocating between Texas cities. It prevents municipalities from providing more generous incentives (like sales tax rebates or grants) than what a business previously received from its former city or cities. For businesses moving from multiple cities, the new incentive is capped at a weighted average based on taxes paid in those previous locations. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying to new agreements or renewals after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summarySJR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to explicitly state that non-U.S. citizens cannot vote in Texas. It amends Article VI, Section 1(a) of the Texas Constitution by adding "persons who are not citizens of the United States" as a prohibited voting class. This would clarify existing voting eligibility rules by making citizenship a constitutional requirement, directly affecting non-citizen residents. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in the November 4, 2025, election to take effect.