Maddy summaryHB 247 exempts property owners in Texas counties bordering Mexico from paying property taxes on the increased tax value caused by border security infrastructure (like walls, fences, or roads) installed on their land under specific agreements. It also prevents government entities from having to pay higher property taxes when purchasing land or easements for border security projects, as the price paid for those parcels won’t factor into appraising other nearby properties. The law applies only to real property in border counties and covers both infrastructure built on private land and government acquisitions for such projects. This directly affects landowners in border counties and state/federal agencies managing border security. The policy change simplifies tax treatment for border infrastructure development without altering overall property tax rates.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 456 increases penalties for illegally buying or selling human organs in Texas, upgrading the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony under the Penal Code. It directly affects individuals involved in organ trafficking and requires physicians to lose their medical license if they knowingly use organs obtained in violation of this law. The bill adds a new provision to the Occupations Code mandating license revocation for doctors who use illegally obtained organs in medical procedures. These changes take effect September 1, 2025, and apply only to offenses occurring after that date.
Maddy summarySB 261 prohibits the sale and offering for sale of cell-cultured protein (food made by growing animal cells in a lab) for human consumption in Texas. It defines "cell-cultured protein" and adds it to existing prohibitions under the Health and Safety Code, making it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, or sell such products. The bill directly affects food producers, retailers, and restaurants selling cell-cultured meat or dairy alternatives within Texas. Violations carry civil and criminal penalties, though specific penalty amounts are not detailed in the provided text. This is a substantive policy change banning a new food category without exceptions for commercial sale.
Maddy summarySB 519 creates a grant program administered by the Texas Historical Commission to support educational engagement with Texas history. It provides annual funding to nonprofit organizations that host statewide history competitions for school-aged students and publish student or faculty works on Texas history. The commission must establish application procedures by October 1, 2025, and monitor grant recipients through performance contracts. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the governor's signature.
Maddy summaryHB 1397 requires the Texas Historical Commission to manage the care, custody, and display of three key historical documents: the "victory or death letter" (William Travis' 1836 letter), the Texas Constitution, and the Texas Declaration of Independence. The bill mandates that the commission designate a secure display location for the victory or death letter at the Alamo complex by December 1, 2027, while continuing to display the Constitution and Declaration at the Capitol Complex under existing arrangements. It also requires collaboration with the Texas Historical Commission and State Preservation Board to develop and publish a formal display plan for all three documents. This law, signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, and effective September 1, 2025, institutionalizes the current practice of displaying these documents while formalizing future display locations.
Maddy summarySB 1150 amends Texas law to address inactive oil and gas wells regulated by the Railroad Commission. It requires operators to plug wells inactive for over 15 years (or 25 years since completion) unless approved for an exception or included in a commission-approved compliance plan. Key provisions include new criteria for compliance plans - such as financial assurance, operator history, and environmental risks - and mandate an annual report starting in 2026 detailing well counts, plugging progress, financial methods, and operational status. The bill directly affects oil and gas operators with inactive wells, requiring them to submit compliance plans or face penalties for non-compliance.
Maddy summarySB 571 updates Texas education law to restrict employment of contract employees who work in public schools and have direct student contact. It prohibits school districts and contractors from hiring individuals with certain criminal convictions (like felonies or misdemeanors listed under Section 22.085) or those identified in a misconduct registry for specific offenses. The bill also expands access to this registry - used to track ineligible employees - to include private schools, non-profit teacher organizations, and school contractors. These changes apply only to new contracts entered on or after September 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 3441 creates legal liability for vaccine manufacturers who advertise a harmful vaccine within Texas. It defines "advertise" broadly to include paid promotions across media (TV, internet, influencers), but excludes doctor-patient discussions or clinic materials. If a manufacturer's advertised vaccine causes injury, victims can sue within three years for actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The law applies only to cases where harm occurs on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 850 simplifies property tax refunds for Texas homeowners and organizations who qualify for exemptions (like homestead exemptions) but overpaid taxes. It requires tax assessors to automatically recalculate taxes and correct bills if an exemption applies after initial tax calculation, and mandates refunds within 60 days if taxes were already paid. Property owners who paid excess taxes due to later-qualified exemptions no longer need to apply for refunds - they will receive them automatically. The bill directly affects taxpayers who become eligible for exemptions after their tax bill is issued but before payment.
Maddy summaryHB 2037 modifies Texas tenant-landlord laws to clarify repair processes and notice requirements for residential and manufactured home tenants. It requires tenants to use independent contractors (listed in local directories or classified ads) for repairs after submitting a "notice of intent to repair," rather than performing repairs themselves or using family, employers, or businesses they own. The bill also adds new provisions allowing landlords and tenants to send required notices via email if they previously communicated that way, and designates property managers as official agents for delivery of such notices. These changes directly affect tenants seeking repairs and landlords handling security deposits and communication.