Rep. Brooks Landgraf

Maddy summaryHB 4752 amends Texas law to set new requirements for charitable organizations seeking property tax exemptions. It directly affects organizations that want to avoid ad valorem (property) taxes by requiring them to: (1) distribute contributions to at least five other qualifying nonprofits with volunteer boards and 501(c)(3) status (or public universities), (2) ensure those recipients get majority funding from private gifts/government and provide free services, and (3) maintain their own 501(c)(3) status and volunteer governance. The bill takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026, changing eligibility for existing tax exemptions rather than creating new tax rates.

Maddy summaryHB 74 creates the Puerto Verde Port Authority District in Maverick County, Texas, as a special district to advance economic development in the area. The bill grants the district authority to issue bonds for infrastructure, impose fees and taxes on properties within the district, and acquire private property through limited eminent domain for port-related projects. It directly affects property owners and businesses in the designated district area by enabling the district to fund and develop port facilities, transportation infrastructure, and economic initiatives. The legislation aims to promote job growth, commerce, and community development in Maverick County under Texas Constitution provisions for special districts.

Maddy summaryHB 4027 creates new rules for depositions in family violence cases. It requires petitioners seeking a deposition to disclose past protective orders or criminal complaints related to abuse, and courts must find by clear evidence the petitioner has no history of violence or harassment before approving such requests. The bill also allows courts to award attorney fees when dismissing cases deemed filed to harass, intimidate, or control an alleged victim of family violence. It directly affects individuals filing for depositions in family violence cases and Texas courts reviewing these petitions.

Maddy summaryHB 4688 modifies Texas law for civil liability cases involving commercial motor vehicle accidents. It restricts when evidence of regulatory violations (like safety rules) can be used in court, requiring such evidence to directly link the violation to the injury and show the rule specifically applied to the situation. The bill also limits claims against employers for driver negligence unless the employer first admits the driver was acting within their job duties at the time of the accident. These changes apply only to cases filed or tried after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryHJR 138 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to prohibit the state legislature from imposing taxes based on the carbon content of fuels or emissions of carbon dioxide from goods and services. If approved by voters, it would prevent Texas from enacting any carbon tax policy. The bill failed to pass the Texas Legislature on May 12, 2025, so it did not advance to a voter referendum. This would have directly affected all Texans by blocking a potential state-level carbon tax mechanism.

Maddy summaryHR 1031 is a commemorative resolution honoring Mary Helen VanDeaver of Clarksville, Texas, who passed away on March 27, 2025, at age 93. The resolution, adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on May 9, 2025, pays tribute to her life and legacy, including her work as a seamstress, business owner, and active member of her community and church. It extends sympathy to her family, including her three children, six grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren, and directs the House to adjourn in her memory. As a non-substantive memorial resolution, it does not create policy changes or affect any specific laws or individuals beyond the tribute itself.

Maddy summaryHB 2964 allocates up to $750 million from the state's broadband infrastructure fund to provide grants, low-interest loans, and financial incentives for building fiber-optic broadband networks in specific rural Texas counties. It targets counties with 5,000-25,000 residents that lack existing broadband infrastructure and have unserved locations according to FCC data. The bill prioritizes projects expanding service to residential/commercial addresses not yet covered by fiber, as well as to schools and colleges. This directly affects eligible rural communities and their residents by funding infrastructure development to address broadband gaps.

Maddy summaryHB 298 requires Texas driver's licenses and personal ID certificates to include a clear indication that the holder is a U.S. citizen. This applies to all licenses issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill specifies that licenses must also display the holder's full name, date of birth, a full-face photograph, a distinguishing number, and either a residence address or, for certain federal judges or officials, the courthouse address. It does not change existing requirements for non-citizens. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 133 creates two new criminal offenses in Texas law. It criminalizes acting as an agent of a foreign government or terrorist organization to commit certain crimes (like assault or harassment) with the intent to force someone to leave the U.S., discourage protected speech, or retaliate for such speech. It also criminalizes unauthorized enforcement of foreign law within Texas, such as investigating or surveilling residents to prevent them from violating foreign laws without state approval. Penalties are increased (e.g., a Class A misdemeanor becomes a misdemeanor with 180 days minimum jail time). The bill also mandates a study and law enforcement training on transnational repression.

Maddy summaryHB 1554 prohibits Texas cities, counties, and other local governments from using public funds to provide legal services for individuals unlawfully present in the U.S. under federal immigration law (8 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq.), including funding for removal proceedings or immigration-related civil cases. It specifically bans using grants or seeking state reimbursement for such services, though it does not affect criminal defense for indigent defendants under Article 1.051 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The law applies to all political subdivisions and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects local governments that previously funded immigration legal aid programs.