Rep. Brooks Landgraf

Maddy summarySJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Texas school district property tax exemptions for elderly or disabled homeowners. Currently, the exemption for these residents is $10,000; this bill would raise it to $60,000 of a home's market value. The amendment would allow the legislature to adjust this exemption amount, with provisions ensuring eligible individuals (65+ or disabled) cannot receive both the basic exemption and this enhanced benefit. It directly affects Texas homeowners aged 65 or older or with disabilities who own their primary residence. The bill requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.

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 4412 allows specific Texas municipalities (those bordering Mexico, with hotel occupancy rates exceeding 90% and over 40% of visitors staying in hotels) to use up to 25% of their unspent hotel tax revenue for tourism-related public projects. The bill requires these cities to maintain funding for existing priorities at pre-2025 levels and cap their hotel tax rate at 2% within eight years of using the funds. It prohibits using these tax dollars for tourism projects after December 31, 2034, and expires entirely by that date. This bill directly affects qualifying border municipalities with significant tourism economies.

Maddy summaryHB 5165 defines specific municipalities eligible to use hotel occupancy tax revenue for certain purposes under Texas law. It applies only to cities meeting precise population, geographic, or landmark criteria (e.g., county seats bordering major rivers, cities with state parks or cultural museums). The bill modifies eligibility rules for these qualifying municipalities but does not change how the tax revenue must be spent. This is a procedural adjustment affecting only the listed cities, not a new policy.

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 311 amends Texas law to clarify the Texas Supreme Court's authority to issue certain court writs (like mandamus or certiorari). It removes the governor, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and its judges from the list of officials/judges the Supreme Court can issue writs against. This change applies only to writ applications filed on or after September 1, 2025, with pre-existing cases governed by prior law. The bill is procedural, focusing on defining judicial writ authority without creating new policies or affecting public programs.

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 summarySB 765 creates a new confidentiality exception for fraud detection and deterrence information under Texas public information law. It makes specific types of data - such as risk assessments, investigative materials, protocols, and technology specifications - confidential and not subject to public disclosure requirements. The law directly affects state and local governmental bodies that handle fraud prevention, ensuring these materials remain protected while allowing sharing for law enforcement and fraud prevention purposes under other applicable laws. The bill took effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 47 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the "Texas STRONG" defense fund, funded by 10% of annual severance tax revenues from oil and gas production. This fund would directly benefit communities significantly impacted by oil and gas activity, while other allocations include 38% to the economic stabilization fund, 1% each to oil/gas cleanup and emissions reduction accounts, and the remainder to the state highway fund. The bill mandates specific, automatic transfers from the general revenue fund to these designated accounts each fiscal year. It does not change production regulations but redirects existing revenue streams to address economic impacts on affected regions. This is a procedural constitutional amendment requiring voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryHB 188 changes how Texas severance tax revenue is allocated, redirecting funds currently designated for the Texas STRONG defense fund (which supports oil and gas industry-related expenses) to the economic stabilization fund starting September 1, 2037. It amends specific sections of the Government Code to adjust these allocations, with the current system expiring in 2036. This directly affects two state funds: the Texas STRONG defense fund and the economic stabilization fund. The bill ensures a structured transition of funding from industry-specific reserves to a general economic buffer fund, effective after 2036.