Rep. Jay Dean

Maddy summaryHB 5 allocates $324 million in supplemental funds from Texas' economic stabilization fund for disaster relief and preparedness. It provides $200 million to match federal disaster aid and support state disaster funds, $50 million for flood warning systems and equipment in 27 counties affected by a July 2025 flood declaration, and $24 million to improve weather forecasting and flood management in the Texas Hill Country. An additional $50 million is contingent on passing related legislation about emergency communication systems. The bill directly affects local governments in designated counties and state agencies managing disaster response.

Maddy summaryHB 2 requires justices of the peace in counties without a medical examiner to complete training on managing mass fatality events within one year of election. The training covers autopsy decisions, body identification protocols, missing persons data collection, interagency coordination, and real-time family notifications. Failure to complete this training is defined as "incompetency" for removal under local government law. The bill also allows the Texas Commission on Fire Protection to access criminal history records for license applicants and employees while restricting disclosure of that information. It authorizes fees related to these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 100 directs Texas to use federal border security funds (from Public Law 119-21) to issue one-time cash payments to qualifying Texas homestead property owners. The comptroller would deduct up to $28 million for administrative costs from funds received by April 30, 2026, then divide the remainder equally among all households with a homestead exemption as of January 1, 2026. Each eligible household would receive a single payment by August 1, 2026, with the rebate treated as non-taxable income that won’t affect state benefit eligibility. Any federal funds received after May 1, 2026, would instead be deposited into the state treasury for school district property tax rate compression.

Maddy summaryHB 99 replaces school districts' local property taxes (M&O taxes) with a state value-added tax (VAT) starting in 2030, if voters approve a related constitutional amendment. The bill repeals school district authority to levy M&O property taxes and creates a 6.72% state VAT on goods and services, with all revenue directed to the Foundation School Fund for public education operations. It also repeals specific sections of the Tax Code and Education Code related to local property taxes. The law requires voter approval for the constitutional change before taking effect on January 1, 2030.

Maddy summaryHB 101 requires local governments (excluding school districts) to obtain voter approval within 30 days for temporary tax rate increases implemented under disaster declarations. Specifically, it applies to tax hikes adopted between May 28, 2025, and December 31, 2025, under Texas Tax Code Section 26.042(c-1). If voters do not approve the increase within 30 days, the tax rate automatically reverts to its pre-disaster level. The bill mandates that any required election follow standard procedures outlined in Chapter 26 of the Tax Code. This applies only to non-school district taxing units using disaster-related tax rate calculations during the specified period.

Maddy summaryHB 64 creates a rule that Texas state senators and representatives lose their seats if absent from all legislative proceedings without approved leave for seven consecutive days when their house is in session. This provision directly affects legislators who miss sessions without permission, triggering an immediate vacancy. The bill specifies that the absence must occur during days the house is meeting, not just calendar days. It would take effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, otherwise 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryHB 236 creates an affirmative defense for individuals prosecuted under certain laws if they were victims of human trafficking or compelled prostitution. It applies when a person engaged in criminal conduct (like prostitution or other offenses) directly because they were subjected to force, fraud, or coercion by traffickers, and would not have committed the act otherwise. The defense requires showing the conduct was compelled by such means, that a reasonable person in similar circumstances would have been compelled, and that the person wasn’t merely offered an opportunity without coercion. This applies to prosecutions for offenses under Sections 20A.02 (human trafficking) or 43.05 (prostitution) but excludes specific offenses listed in state law. The bill affects individuals prosecuted for crimes committed while trafficked, shifting legal focus to their victim status during prosecution.

Maddy summaryHB 186 restricts how local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) can use public funds for lobbying. It prohibits spending public money to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofit groups that represent local governments and employ lobbyists. Exceptions include activities by elected officials, employees providing information to legislators, travel expenses for such activities, and services by associations representing sheriffs or law enforcement. The bill allows taxpayers to sue to stop prohibited spending and recover legal fees if they win. This directly affects local government budget decisions regarding legislative advocacy.

Maddy summaryHB 102 reduces Texas public schools' state-required accountability exams to the minimum mandated by federal law. It replaces current state assessments with "instructionally supportive" assessments developed by outside experts (not the state agency) that focus on helping teachers improve instruction. The bill requires these new assessments to: provide timely feedback to schools and teachers for lesson adjustments, track student progress throughout the school year, and meet but not exceed federal testing requirements. This directly affects all Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools maintaining an acceptable rating under current accountability standards.

Maddy summaryHB 52, titled the Texas Women's Privacy Act, requires certain facilities - including restrooms, locker rooms, shelters, correctional facilities, and colleges - to be designated for use based on biological sex (male or female) as defined by reproductive anatomy. The bill authorizes civil penalties for violations and allows private lawsuits to enforce compliance. It specifically applies to "multiple-occupancy private spaces" like shared restrooms and "family violence shelters," but excludes state agencies. The law defines "female" as individuals with a reproductive system for egg production and "male" as those with a system for sperm production.