Rep. Eddie Morales

Maddy summaryThis Texas concurrent resolution urges Congress to preserve Sections 45U, 45Y, and 48E of the federal tax code, which provide tax incentives for nuclear and natural gas energy projects. It directly addresses Texas' energy sector, which relies on these provisions to maintain existing operations and support new development, employing over 12,000 workers in nuclear/gas plants and supplying nearly half the state's electricity. The resolution requests Congress preserve these tax incentives to sustain affordable energy production and Texas' leadership in electricity generation.

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 summaryHB 2652 establishes a six-month pilot program in the Borderplex workforce development area to provide after-hours child care for single-parent working parents enrolled in short-term workforce training. The bill creates a certified caregiver licensing process allowing employees of licensed child-care facilities (with two years' experience) to offer care in their homes, while providing subsidized child care for up to 30 eligible single-parent families. To qualify, parents must receive current child-care subsidies, reside in a single-parent household, complete postsecondary credit hours, and enroll in workforce training. The program is administered by the Health and Human Services Commission and limited to the Borderplex region, aiming to address child care barriers for parents in workforce development programs.

Maddy summaryHB 5675 amends the governance structure of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District. It reduces the board of directors from seven to five members and requires specific appointments: one director from Marfa City Council and one from Presidio City Council (via new subsections d-1 and d-2). The bill also clarifies the district's powers under Texas Water Code, stating it operates under specific groundwater conservation laws while remaining subject to oversight by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. These changes directly affect how the district is governed and who appoints its leadership.

Maddy summaryHB 557 modifies Texas law to prevent courts from finding parents in contempt for unpaid child support if they provide evidence of two specific circumstances. It requires parents to show either current payment records (via receipts or bank statements) or proof that payment delays resulted from third-party errors (like banking issues) or situations outside their control. The bill applies only to child support enforcement hearings starting on or after September 1, 2025, leaving past cases governed by prior law. This change directly affects parents facing contempt charges for missed child support payments.

Maddy summaryHB 1039 repeals Section 351.1035 of the Texas Tax Code, which previously restricted how certain municipalities could use hotel occupancy tax revenue. This change allows those municipalities greater flexibility in allocating hotel tax funds for local purposes. The repeal applies only to revenue collected on or after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote), with pre-effective-date revenue still governed by prior law. The bill does not create new taxes but removes a specific limitation on existing municipal tax revenue use.

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 summarySB 494 establishes a task force within the Railroad Commission of Texas to study and address petroleum product theft. The task force, requiring industry, energy association, and law enforcement representation, must analyze theft impacts on sales tax revenue and long-term economic effects, then recommend prevention strategies and officer training. It will submit annual reports to state leaders by December 1 of even-numbered years, focusing on security improvements and stakeholder coordination. The bill expires December 31, 2030, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3349 abolishes three state trust funds: the Pan American Games trust fund, Olympic Games trust fund, and motor sports racing trust fund. The bill amends Texas Government Code sections to remove references to these funds and update definitions related to "events" and "games" (such as deleting the Olympic and Pan American Games from the list of covered events). It specifically eliminates the legal requirement for the state to use these trust funds for financial commitments related to those events. The bill directly affects state budget administration by ending these dedicated funding mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 1035 allows agricultural operations (like farms and ranches) to sue local governments if those governments enforce rules that violate Texas agriculture laws. It creates a new legal right for affected businesses to seek court orders blocking enforcement of such rules and to recover legal fees if they win their case. The bill applies only to disputes arising after its effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote). This changes the process for resolving conflicts between local regulations and state agricultural law, giving farmers a direct legal remedy.