Rep. David Spiller

Maddy summaryHB 1998 lowers the spending threshold requiring competitive procurement for Texas school districts, cities, and counties. It reduces the current $100,000 minimum from which competitive bidding applies to $50,000 for most purchases of goods or services. The bill amends multiple statutes (Education Code §44.031, Local Government Code §§252.021, 252.0215, 262.003, 262.023) to implement this change. It maintains existing exceptions, such as for single-supplier items or construction services. The law directly affects all Texas political subdivisions when making procurement decisions above $50,000.

Maddy summaryHB 3413 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 183 in Eastland County - between Farm-to-Market Road 2526 and Farm-to-Market Road 2731 - as the "Deputy Sheriff David Bosecker Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway segment and at appropriate intermediate locations. This commemorative measure directly honors Deputy Sheriff David Bosecker, with no direct impact on public policy or funding. The bill is procedural and does not alter existing highway management or funding.

Maddy summaryHJR 112 proposes adding a new section to the Texas Constitution that affirms parents' inherent right to make decisions about their children's upbringing, including care, custody, and control. It would limit state interference with this right unless the government proves the interference is essential for a compelling interest and narrowly tailored to achieve it. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in the November 2025 election, with the ballot phrasing "The constitutional amendment establishing parents as the primary decision-makers for their children." This would directly affect all Texas parents and state agencies involved in child welfare decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 170 creates civil immunity for individuals who use or threaten to use force or deadly force that is justified under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 (e.g., self-defense or defense of others). It protects such individuals from civil lawsuits seeking damages for personal injury or death resulting from their justified actions. The bill also requires courts to award defendants who win immunity claims reasonable attorney fees, court costs, and related expenses. It repeals Section 9.06 of the Penal Code and applies only to cases occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2225 requires local governments (cities and counties) to publicly share land use assumptions and capital improvement plans at least 60 days before related hearings. It mandates that impact fees must be approved by a 3/4 vote of the governing body within 30 days of a public hearing, and limits any fee increases to once every five years from the fee's adoption or last increase. The bill also requires public disclosure of proposed fee changes per service unit before hearings on amendments. These provisions aim to increase transparency and control over development-related fees imposed by local governments.

Maddy summaryHJR 98 is a Texas legislative resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose spending limits on the federal government, reduce federal power over states, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. Texas formally applies to Congress to initiate this process, with the resolution intended as a continuing application until at least 34 states (two-thirds) support the same purpose. This is a procedural request - Texas has no authority to create new laws, but aims to join other states in advancing this constitutional mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 3134 establishes a regulatory framework for "advanced air mobility" in Texas, primarily affecting electric aircraft and vertiports (landing/takeoff sites for air taxis). The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to create an office for technical support, develop a statewide strategic plan, identify uniform planning standards for vertiports, estimate electric grid capacity needs, and provide guidebooks to local governments. It specifically applies to aircraft over 300 pounds capable of carrying passengers or cargo, focusing on electric vertical takeoff aircraft and urban air mobility infrastructure. The law aims to enable future air taxi services by standardizing planning and infrastructure requirements across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 497 requires Texas school staff to obtain written parental consent before providing students with behavioral or mental health services, including counseling, contraceptives, or materials on family planning, sexuality, or mental health. The bill directly affects students in Texas public schools and their parents, as it mandates consent for these specific services starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Key provisions include exceptions for special education requirements under existing law and prohibitions on school staff conducting psychological exams or recording students without parental permission. The law does not apply to general school counseling but specifically targets services involving sensitive health topics. It remains pending in committee as of the latest actions.

Maddy summaryHJR 99 proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize Texas lawmakers to exempt animal feed held by businesses for retail sale from ad valorem property taxes. If approved by voters, this would allow the legislature to create a specific tax exemption for tangible personal property (physical animal feed) owned by sellers for resale. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election and does not automatically create the exemption - future legislation would need to implement it. This directly affects feed retailers and agricultural businesses that hold animal feed inventory for sale.

Maddy summaryHB 2031 prevents landlords from banning tenants from lawfully possessing firearms in specific areas of rental properties. It allows tenants to keep firearms in their rental units, vehicles parked in landlord-provided lots, and areas needed to access their unit or premises. Landlords who violate this law face civil penalties: $1,000-$1,500 for a first offense and $10,000-$10,500 for repeat violations. Tenants must first give landlords written notice of the violation and allow 3 business days to fix it before reporting to the attorney general. The collected penalties fund crime victim compensation.