Rep. Cody Harris

Maddy summaryHB 3507 amends Texas Penal Code Section 31.03 to reclassify theft offenses based on the property's value and specific circumstances, directly affecting anyone committing theft in Texas. It establishes tiered penalties: Class C misdemeanor for theft under $100, Class B misdemeanor for $100-$750 (or prior theft convictions), Class A misdemeanor for $750-$2,500, state jail felony for $2,500-$30,000 (or theft of firearms, driver's licenses, catalytic converters, or ballots), and third-degree felony for $30,000+ or repeated thefts. Key provisions include stricter penalties for theft of specific items like catalytic converters (valued under $30,000), firearms, or election materials, and higher penalties for repeat offenders. The bill changes sentencing outcomes without altering the definition of theft itself.

Maddy summaryHB 469 amends Texas law to expand eligibility for sheriffs to apply for certification in enforcing commercial motor vehicle safety standards. It specifies that sheriffs in counties meeting certain criteria - such as bordering Mexico, having specific population thresholds (e.g., under 1,000 or over 700,000), bordering the Capitol county, or containing international ports - may seek this certification. The bill does not create new safety standards but allows qualifying county sheriffs to enforce existing federal and state commercial vehicle safety regulations within their jurisdictions. This change takes effect September 1, 2025.

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 1655 prohibits public school employees in Texas from assisting students with social transitioning, defined as helping students change their name, pronouns, clothing, or hairstyles to express a gender identity different from their sex assigned at birth. School districts must adopt a policy banning such assistance, and parents or staff can report suspected violations to the district board, which must investigate and report confirmed violations to the state commissioner. If violations occur, the commissioner may withhold state funding for the affected school year and adjust future funding to recover any payments made during that year. The bill applies starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 2587 requires Texas hospitals to report costs of providing care to patients without legal immigration status. Hospitals must ask about immigration status during intake (without affecting care) and submit quarterly data on costs and financial impact to a state agency. The agency then compiles an annual report for lawmakers by November 1, detailing total costs and how these expenses affected hospitals. This applies to all Texas hospitals serving patients who were not lawfully present at the time of care, focusing on transparency about uncompensated care expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 5539 requires licensed child-placing agencies in Texas to post an itemized list of all adoption-related costs on their public websites. This directly affects adoption agencies, which must now disclose every fee associated with the adoption process (such as agency fees, legal costs, or travel expenses). The bill mandates that this information be clearly listed and accessible online, helping prospective adoptive parents understand full costs upfront. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 135 exempts the purchase and sale of game animals (such as deer and elk) and exotic animals (like reptiles or big cats) from Texas sales and use taxes. This means businesses and individuals involved in trading these animals - such as breeders, pet stores, or hunters - no longer pay state sales tax on these transactions. The bill amends the Texas Tax Code to add these animals as a new category of exempt items, similar to existing agricultural exemptions for feed or farm equipment. This directly reduces tax costs for the wildlife trade and pet industries while aligning with broader agricultural tax policies.

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 1128 amends Texas Penal Code Section 46.03 to create an exception allowing licensed election judges and certain early voting staff to carry concealed handguns while performing their duties at polling places. This directly affects election judges (as defined in Election Code Chapter 32) and early voting clerks/deputies serving as election judges at early voting locations. The bill modifies the existing prohibition on concealed carry at polling places to exclude these specific election personnel who hold valid handgun licenses. The change applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits late payment fees charged by municipal water utilities in Texas. It caps fees at $5 or 2% of the overdue amount before day 32, $5 or 5% between days 32-41, and $5 or 10% after day 41. Utilities cannot begin charging penalties before 21 days after billing a customer, and penalties end when the full amount is paid. The rules apply only to fees charged on or after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed by two-thirds vote).