Rep. David Spiller

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 summaryHB 274 establishes a framework for Texas to join an interstate compact focused on animal health initiatives with other states. The bill authorizes the governor to develop and execute this compact, enabling states to share resources like research facilities, surveillance systems, and personnel to address animal health outbreaks affecting livestock, wildlife, and other animals. Key provisions include joint planning for disease response, mutual support for infrastructure/equipment, and allowing fund transfers between states for research and response activities. The compact does not require congressional approval or increase states' political power relative to the federal government. This legislation creates a mechanism for future cooperation but does not mandate specific actions or funding.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 11) urges the federal government to take immediate action to prevent the spread of the New World screwworm - a parasitic fly that infests livestock - into Texas. It directly affects Texas ranchers, the state’s $1.8 billion livestock industry, and the broader national food supply chain, as an outbreak could cause widespread animal deaths and economic damage. The resolution requests federal agencies to: collaborate with Mexico on control plans, fund a Texas-based screwworm control facility, approve treatments for infected animals, and approve pesticides for prevention. It does not create new laws but formally asks Congress and federal agencies to act, citing the parasite’s proximity to Texas (370 miles from the border as of July 2025).

Maddy summaryHB 273 creates the Institute for Animal Health Research and Response as a component of Texas A&M University, operating under Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. The institute will partner with Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Animal Health Commission to study animal diseases and parasitic infestations, develop prevention strategies, and create treatments. It may accept grants, hire staff, build facilities, and prioritize specific health threats, but implementation depends on legislative funding appropriations. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 272 establishes a special fund called the Screwworm Abatement Trust (SWAT) Fund to support efforts preventing, controlling, and eradicating the New World Screwworm pest. The fund, managed by the state comptroller outside the main treasury, can receive gifts, donations, or appropriations (capped at $50 million) to cover related programs, research, surveillance, and emergency responses. It directly affects state agricultural agencies, universities, and other public entities that administer or utilize these pest control activities. The bill creates a dedicated funding mechanism for coordinated intergovernmental efforts without imposing new taxes or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 275 modifies Texas property tax rules for agricultural land temporarily quarantined by the Texas Animal Health Commission due to ticks or screwworms. It ensures landowners maintaining agricultural designation during such quarantines (for at least 90 days) can request a reappraisal to reflect reduced land value caused by the infestation. The bill caps the reappraised value at 50% of the original tax year value or market value, whichever is lower. This directly affects Texas agricultural landowners in quarantine zones, providing relief during pest control efforts under Chapter 167 of the Agriculture Code. The changes apply to tax years with active quarantines and continue in subsequent years until the quarantine ends.

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 276 ("Relating to parasitic insect control") is not currently available in the provided context. The system indicates the content will be available soon, with a note to refer to a PDF for details. No specific provisions, affected parties, or policy mechanisms can be identified from the available information. Without access to the bill's actual text or summary, a factual summary cannot be generated. We recommend checking the official bill document when it becomes available for details.

Maddy summaryHB 209 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities, counties, or school districts) from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofits that primarily represent such entities and employ lobbyists. It specifically bans spending public money for activities like lobbying state legislators or contracting with registered lobbyists, with key exceptions for sheriff associations, employees providing factual information to legislators, and certain nonprofit services like bill tracking. The bill allows taxpayers to sue to stop violations and recover legal fees if public funds are improperly used for lobbying. This directly affects how local governments and their affiliated organizations can advocate for policy changes using taxpayer money.

Maddy summaryHB 173 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities, counties, or school districts) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit associations that primarily represent such entities and hire lobbyists. It specifically bans spending public money to: (1) contract with registered lobbyists, or (2) support organizations that hire registered lobbyists for legislative advocacy. Exceptions include activities by sheriffs' associations, employees providing basic information to legislators, or nonprofits offering bill tracking or non-lobbying legislative services. The bill allows taxpayers to seek court injunctions and recover legal fees if a subdivision violates these restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 86 restricts how tax-levying government entities (like cities or counties) can spend public money on lobbying. It requires their governing bodies to approve such contracts by majority vote in an open meeting, publish details online (including contract amounts and names), and bans reimbursements for food, beverages, or entertainment related to lobbying. The bill also prohibits lobbying communications about specific tax code amendments (Sections 26.04(c) or 26.041(c)) and allows residents to file ethics complaints for noncompliance. It applies only to contracts entered after the bill's effective date.