Rep. David Lowe

Maddy summaryHB 4000 would change how Texas House of Representatives speakers are selected by requiring voters to directly elect the position in statewide elections, rather than having the House members choose the speaker. The bill amends election code sections to list the "speaker of the house" as a statewide office (now ranked #3 on ballots) and creates separate county election returns for this position. This would affect all Texas voters, who would cast ballots for speaker during general elections alongside other statewide offices like governor and lieutenant governor. The bill focuses on procedural changes to election administration without altering the speaker's duties or powers.

Maddy summaryHB 3934 prohibits Texas state agencies, local governments, and law enforcement from assisting federal agencies in enforcing certain federal gun regulations. It specifically blocks cooperation on federal requirements like gun registries, licensing for ownership, background checks for private sales, or confiscation of firearms from law-abiding owners. The bill also establishes new state protections for the right to bear arms through a new Government Code chapter. It applies to all Texas governmental entities, including counties, cities, and state departments.

Maddy summaryHB 3932 creates a Class A misdemeanor offense for federal government officers who conduct certain searches or arrests in Texas without meeting specific requirements. It directly affects federal agents and officers by prohibiting: (1) no-knock entries on Texas residents' property, (2) nighttime searches/arrests at residences (8 p.m.-8 a.m.), and (3) searches/arrests without first obtaining the local sheriff’s consent. The law would apply when federal officers act within Texas, with penalties for violations. This bill does not affect state law enforcement or Texas residents’ rights directly.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending the Texas Constitution to allow the state Attorney General to prosecute criminal offenses committed by peace officers (such as police officers) while on duty, alongside county or district attorneys. Currently, only local prosecutors handle such cases; this change would give the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction. If approved by voters in November 2025, it would shift authority for these prosecutions to include the state-level office. The amendment does not change who can be prosecuted but alters which prosecutors may handle these specific cases.

Maddy summaryHJR 164 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing a tax or fee on drivers based on the number of miles they travel in a vehicle. If approved by voters, this amendment would directly affect all Texas drivers by preventing the state legislature from creating a mileage-based tax system. The bill adds a new section to the Texas Constitution (Article VIII, Section 31) explicitly banning such taxes, requiring voter approval for any future attempt to implement them. The amendment must be submitted to voters in the November 4, 2025 election, with the ballot phrased as "prohibiting the imposition of a vehicle mileage tax or fee."

Maddy summaryHJR 170 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Texas House of Representatives speakers are selected. Currently chosen by House members, the Speaker would instead be elected directly by all Texas voters in statewide elections held concurrently with other legislative elections. The amendment specifies that the Speaker must be qualified to serve in the House, cannot hold other legislative offices, and would serve a two-year term. This change would take effect with the 2026 election, but requires voter approval in a November 2025 election.

Maddy summaryHB 3823 proposes changes to how Texas property taxes are calculated for primary residences (homesteads). It would limit annual increases in a home's taxable value to 15% of the previous year's appraised value, plus the cost of new improvements like additions or replacements after damage. The bill defines "new improvements" to exclude routine repairs or maintenance, and clarifies that replacing a damaged home with an identical structure doesn't count as a new improvement. This bill directly affects homeowners with homesteads by potentially reducing annual tax increases, though it remains a proposed measure with no votes recorded yet.

Maddy summaryHJR 167 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit annual increases in the taxable value of Texas homesteads (primary residences qualifying for property tax exemptions). It would authorize the legislature to cap annual value increases at 115% (or a higher percentage) of the previous year's appraised value, reducing how often homes get reassessed for tax purposes. Counties could also hold voter elections to establish higher caps than the state limit. This policy directly affects Texas homeowners who qualify for homestead exemptions, aiming to stabilize property tax bills for long-term residents.

Maddy summaryHB 3705 prohibits state agencies, officials (including the governor and adjutant general), and any other law from requiring Texas National Guard members to receive vaccinations or assist in vaccine administration. It applies to all state rules, executive orders, and emergency orders, and overrides conflicting laws. The bill directly affects all current and future Texas National Guard members by preventing mandatory vaccination policies from being enforced against them. The law would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3736 prohibits Texas public school districts and charter schools from serving food or drinks containing specific artificial color additives in school meals. The bill bans nine listed additives (including red 40, yellow 5, blue 1, and caramel) and any substantially similar substitutes. This policy directly affects school nutrition programs, requiring them to remove these additives from all meals served to students starting the 2025-2026 school year. The law does not apply to food sold in vending machines or à la carte items outside of regular meals.