Rep. Charlie Geren

Maddy summarySB 844 establishes new procedures for Texas municipalities making zoning changes that do not qualify as major overhauls (e.g., not city-wide code updates or new zoning maps). It requires written protests signed by owners of at least 20% of the affected land or 60% of adjacent land within 200 feet to trigger stricter approval rules. If protested, such zoning changes must receive approval from at least three-fourths of the city council. This applies only to smaller, targeted adjustments - not comprehensive zoning changes - as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 2777 would prohibit the death penalty for defendants found to have had "severe mental illness" (defined as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with active psychotic symptoms impairing judgment or understanding of wrongfulness) at the time of a capital offense. The bill requires defendants to file a 30-day notice before trial to present evidence of this condition, which they must prove by "clear and convincing evidence." If notice is not filed, such evidence becomes inadmissible unless the court finds "good cause" for the delay. The law would directly affect defendants in Texas capital cases who qualify under this mental health definition, altering sentencing eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 5015 allows specific municipal retirement systems to join Texas' proportionate retirement program. It applies only to retirement systems for general municipal employees in cities with populations between 900,000 and 1,050,000, plus certain state systems like the Employees Retirement System of Texas and Teacher Retirement System. The bill defines eligibility criteria but does not change benefit calculations or funding mechanisms. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill amends the Occupations Code to clarify which rodeo organizations can conduct charitable raffles through their foundations. It adds specific definitions to include organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) or Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) as "professional sports teams," and defines "rodeo venues" as facilities hosting sanctioned rodeo events. This change directly affects charitable foundations affiliated with PRCA/WPRA-sanctioned rodeo organizations operating at approved venues. The bill does not create new raffle rules but updates eligibility criteria under existing law, effective September 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3756 amends Texas' Alcoholic Beverage Code to allow certain nonresident sellers with winery permits to operate under specific conditions. It creates an exception for nonresident sellers holding a winery permit first issued on or before May 1, 2010, for wineries located in municipalities with populations between 130,000-150,000 within a county of 2-3 million people. The bill explicitly prohibits these permit holders from selling wine to the winery permit holder they serve. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects nonresident alcohol sellers operating in qualifying Texas communities with existing winery permits.

Maddy summaryHB 3272 makes it a criminal offense to operate an unmanned aircraft (drone) in specific ways over Texas spaceports. It prohibits intentionally flying drones over spaceports, causing drones to contact spaceport property or personnel, or interfering with spaceport operations. The law defines "spaceport" as facilities licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration for spacecraft launches, landings, or recovery. Exemptions include government entities, spaceport owners/operators, and those with prior written authorization from spaceport operators or the FAA.

Maddy summaryHB 3077 requires alcohol manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in Texas to submit detailed monthly sales reports to the state for tax purposes. Specifically, brewers, brewpubs, wholesalers, distributors, and package store local distributors must file separate reports by the 25th of each month, listing every sale to each retail location. The reports must include product details (brand, type, container size), quantities, and prices for each alcoholic beverage sold to specific retailers. This bill directly affects businesses holding alcohol permits or licenses under Texas law and updates reporting requirements for sales and use tax compliance. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHCR 122 is a procedural resolution renewing authorization for the Texas Legislature to create joint committees. It allows the lieutenant governor and House speaker to jointly appoint these committees, determine their membership (including state officials or citizens), and establish their focus areas through formal proclamations. The resolution also outlines procedures for budgeting, staffing (prioritizing existing resources), and committee structure, including subcommittees with approval from legislative leaders. This applies solely to internal legislative operations and does not create new laws or directly affect the public.

Maddy summaryHB 3235 would limit annual increases in the appraised value of Texas homestead properties used for property tax calculations. It caps yearly increases at the lesser of: (1) the property's most recently determined market value, or (2) 10% of last year's appraised value plus last year's value plus new improvements. This directly affects Texas homeowners with primary residences (homesteads) whose property values rise, potentially slowing annual tax bill increases. The bill would take effect January 1, 2026, if enacted.