Rep. Jeff Leach

Maddy summarySJR 34 proposes adding Section 37 to the Texas Constitution to affirm parents' inherent right to make decisions about their children's upbringing, including care, custody, and control. It states the state cannot interfere with these parental rights unless the interference is essential for a compelling government interest and narrowly tailored to achieve that interest. If passed, this constitutional amendment would require voter approval in the November 2025 election, with the ballot phrased as supporting "parents as the primary decision-makers for their children." The bill directly affects parents' legal authority over child-rearing decisions and sets new constitutional limits on state intervention.

Maddy summaryHB 3066 extends the period during which certain Texas municipalities can collect hotel occupancy tax revenue from qualifying hotel and convention center projects. Regular municipalities receive tax revenue for 10 years from a hotel's opening date, while municipalities with qualifying projects (defined under Tax Code Section 351.152(46)) receive it for 20 years. The bill also creates a repayment mechanism: if the state collected more tax revenue from the same sources during the extended period (years 10-20 for regular, 20-40 for qualifying projects), the municipality must repay the difference to the state. This directly affects cities with large convention hotels that qualify under the law, altering their long-term tax revenue streams.

Maddy summaryHB 4683 amends Texas tax law to allow specific qualifying municipalities to use certain existing tax revenue for hotel and convention center projects. The bill defines 17 distinct eligibility categories based on population size, geographic location (e.g., bordering specific lakes or rivers), or presence of designated landmarks like museums or parks. Only cities meeting these precise criteria - such as those with populations over 175,000 in certain counties or bordering Lake Lewisville - can utilize this authority for such developments. The bill does not create new taxes or funding but clarifies which existing municipal tax revenues may be directed toward these projects.

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 summaryHB 2507 automatically seals criminal records for certain misdemeanor defendants who successfully complete deferred adjudication probation. It applies to misdemeanor cases (excluding offenses like DWI, assault, or specific violent crimes) where the defendant finished probation without violations. The law eliminates the need for a court petition by automatically issuing a nondisclosure order 180 days after successful completion of probation. This change directly affects eligible misdemeanor defendants by making it easier to access opportunities like employment or housing without disclosing past offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 5354 requires Texas prosecuting attorneys (county attorneys, district attorneys, and criminal district attorneys handling criminal cases) to report specific data to the Texas Judicial Council. The bill mandates reporting on four key areas: (1) categories and numbers of criminal cases prosecuted, (2) staffing levels and adequacy for caseloads, (3) defendants released under Article 17.151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and (4) electronic notices submitted to courts under Article 17.027. The Texas Judicial Council must establish the reporting format by September 1, 2026, after consulting with the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. This bill directly affects prosecutors' reporting obligations but does not change criminal law or sentencing.

Maddy summaryHB 113 modifies Texas law on how courts interpret statutes. It restricts courts from considering legislative intent (like statements from lawmakers or committee reports) when reading laws, requiring them to focus only on the plain text of the statute. The bill also prohibits courts from automatically deferring to state agencies' interpretations of laws, though reasonable agency views that match the statute's wording may still be considered. This directly affects courts, state agencies, and anyone involved in legal cases interpreting Texas laws. The changes aim to limit judicial interpretation methods and emphasize the written text of statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 2879 protects condo owners, tenants, and their guests from penalties like fines or eviction for using justified force (including deadly force) on residential property, as defined under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9. The bill creates an "irrebuttable presumption" that force was justified if the person was acquitted, a grand jury declined to indict, or prosecutors declined to file charges for the same incident. It applies to condominiums (via Property Code Section 82.122) and leased residential properties (via Sections 92.027 and 94.258), preventing associations or landlords from taking adverse action based on legally justified force. The law overrides any conflicting terms in property declarations or leases, regardless of when they were adopted.

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 summaryHB 3009 expands Texas' Department of Public Safety database to include individuals convicted of two or more specific violent offenses, including assault with a deadly weapon (Penal Code §§ 22.01, 22.02) or offenses involving force/deadly force, and non-citizens unlawfully present in the U.S. who have two or more such convictions. The bill requires the database to include full names, aliases, dates of birth, physical descriptions, conviction details, and for non-citizens, their last known location. It mandates that the DPS add historical data for qualifying offenders convicted before the law's effective date (by January 1, 2026), unless the individual would be removed from the database under existing rules. This affects law enforcement agencies and individuals with multiple violent offense convictions who meet the expanded criteria.