Rep. Giovanni Capriglione

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas judges to deny bail to individuals classified as "illegal aliens" charged with felony offenses, if a judge determines probable cause exists. It defines "illegal alien" as someone who entered the U.S. without inspection or violated nonimmigrant visa terms. The amendment would automatically deny bail pending trial for such individuals, without requiring additional proof of flight risk or danger. If approved by voters in 2025, it would become part of the Texas Constitution. (Note: This is a procedural proposal requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.)

Maddy summarySB 1244 updates Texas unclaimed property laws to explicitly include virtual currency (such as Bitcoin) as a type of property that can be deemed abandoned. The bill revises the timeline for abandonment, starting when a payment is unclaimed or a communication to the owner fails, and ending when the owner reactivates the account or contacts the holder. It requires holders of virtual currency (e.g., financial institutions or exchanges) to report and deliver abandoned virtual currency in its native digital form to the state comptroller. This affects businesses holding unclaimed digital assets, aligning their reporting and delivery procedures with traditional unclaimed property rules.

Maddy summarySB 2063 modifies Texas property tax procedures by restricting evidence used in appeals claiming unequal appraisal. It prohibits property owners protesting solely on unequal appraisal grounds from presenting market value evidence to appraisal review boards or courts. The bill also updates how comparable property values are calculated for such appeals, requiring use of the appraisal district's market value under specific statutory limitations. These changes apply only to protests filed on or after January 1, 2026, with prior cases governed by existing law. The bill directly affects property owners challenging tax assessments based on unequal appraisal without claiming overvaluation.

Maddy summarySB 2452 sets rules for compensating chief appraisers in Texas property appraisal districts. It prohibits linking their pay to increases in property values and bans using district funds to hire a general counsel. The bill requires that chief appraisers' compensation and staffing decisions be determined solely by the district's adopted budget. This affects local government officials managing property valuation for tax purposes.

Maddy summarySB 438 adds new confidentiality protections for current and former administrative law judges (ALJs) working for the State Office of Administrative Hearings. It exempts their home addresses, phone numbers, emergency contacts, Social Security numbers, and information about family members from public disclosure requirements under Texas law. The bill amends the Government Code and Tax Code to ensure these ALJs' sensitive personal information remains private, regardless of other disclosure rules. These changes apply only to information requests received on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 748, known as Trey's Law, prohibits the enforcement of confidentiality clauses in agreements that prevent disclosure of sexual abuse. The bill makes any provision in settlement, employment, or other agreements that blocks someone from sharing details about sexual abuse (including the act itself, identity of victims/perpetrators, or related facts) void and unenforceable. However, it does not restrict confidentiality around other settlement terms, such as payment amounts. For agreements signed before the law's effective date (September 1, 2025), parties must first obtain a court declaration confirming the clause's enforceability to avoid being voided.

Maddy summarySB 1080 requires Texas licensing authorities to issue either a full occupational license or a provisional license (valid for six months) to otherwise qualified applicants who have been convicted of certain offenses, instead of automatically denying their applications. The provisional license begins on the date an applicant is released from prison if they were incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This bill directly affects individuals with criminal convictions seeking occupational licenses (such as for nursing, contracting, or other licensed professions) who meet all other qualification requirements. It aims to reduce barriers to employment by providing a temporary licensing pathway for these applicants.

Maddy summarySB 3073 requires magistrates in Texas to provide written findings within 24 hours when determining no probable cause exists for a criminal arrest. This affects individuals arrested for crimes and the magistrates reviewing their cases. The bill mandates that magistrates document their reasons for finding no probable cause in the official record. It applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior cases governed by existing law. The change aims to increase transparency in early criminal proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 112 creates a legal framework for establishing science park districts in Texas counties with populations of 800,000 or more, or adjacent to such counties. It requires property owners to petition the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office to form a district, which would be governed by a board and overseen by the Texas Science Park Commission. The bill aims to support technology companies, scientific research, workforce development, and infrastructure through collaboration between universities, industry, and government. Districts must operate without acting as agents for private interests, focusing on public benefits like strengthening domestic supply chains and innovation ecosystems.

Maddy summarySB 1030 exempts certain aircraft components and property required for normal aircraft operations from Texas sales and use taxes. Specifically, it removes taxes on tangible personal property permanently attached to aircraft or necessary for their operation (such as fuel or maintenance parts). This applies to aircraft owners or operators covered under existing tax code provisions. The exemption takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not apply to taxes accrued before that date.