Sen. Royce West

Maddy summarySB 711 requires condominium associations with 60+ units or those using a management company to make their governing documents (like declarations and bylaws) available online on a member-accessible website. It also updates record-keeping rules to mandate that associations include their website address and transfer fee details in county-recorded management certificates. These changes apply to associations organized under Texas Property Code Chapter 82, effective September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects condominium owners and management companies by standardizing document access and transparency requirements.

Maddy summaryHJR 99 proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize Texas lawmakers to exempt animal feed held by businesses for retail sale from ad valorem property taxes. If approved by voters, this would allow the legislature to create a specific tax exemption for tangible personal property (physical animal feed) owned by sellers for resale. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election and does not automatically create the exemption - future legislation would need to implement it. This directly affects feed retailers and agricultural businesses that hold animal feed inventory for sale.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas tax code to allow registered securities market operators (such as stock exchanges) to exclude specific "transaction rebate payments" from their taxable revenue. These payments incentivize brokers or dealers to provide market liquidity during securities transactions. The exclusion applies only to payments meeting federal definitions under SEC/CFTC regulation, as defined in the bill. The change takes effect for tax returns filed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2565 amends Texas tax code to allow specific cities to use hotel and convention center tax revenue for certain projects. It directly affects municipalities meeting one of 16 defined criteria, such as cities bordering Lake Palestine, containing specific landmarks (like the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame), or meeting population thresholds in particular geographic areas. The bill expands existing authority by clarifying which cities can redirect these tax revenues, rather than creating new taxes. This change would enable eligible cities to fund projects using revenue already collected from hotel stays and convention fees. The bill is currently in committee review with a favorable committee report.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 1528) allows the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to reimburse current or former employees for personal property lost or damaged by a client during work duties. It requires the department to use existing resources (no new funding) to cover such losses, such as a personal item damaged during a home visit. The policy applies specifically to DFPS employees whose personal belongings are affected by clients they serve. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (SB 1101) adds new criminal offenses related to smuggling people. It makes it illegal to transport individuals while hiding from police, help others enter the U.S. illegally by concealing them, or guide groups onto protected lands (like parks or cultural sites) without the owner's consent. The law specifically targets smuggling tactics involving evasion of law enforcement or unauthorized use of protected areas. It applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not legislation) from the Texas Senate. It formally recognizes Jeffrey Hamilton for his 50 years of membership in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, specifically honoring his service to the Theta Alpha Chapter in Dallas. The resolution commends him for embodying the fraternity's principles and contributions to his community. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely a symbolic gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summarySB 1854 restricts how Texas municipalities can spend revenue from their hotel occupancy tax (a tax on hotel stays). It limits this funding exclusively to tourism-related activities, including building/maintaining convention centers, advertising to attract visitors, promoting arts and cultural events, preserving historic sites near tourism areas, and hosting certain sporting events. The bill specifically requires that sporting events funded this way must meet strict population or geographic criteria, such as being in smaller cities or near Lake Ray Hubbard. This directly affects all Texas cities that collect hotel occupancy tax, ensuring these funds cannot be used for general municipal services like roads or police.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 2553) amends Texas property tax appraisal rules for historic or archaeological sites. It requires chief appraisers to consider how restrictions on altering, improving, or repairing a property (due to its historic designation) affect its market value when calculating ad valorem taxes. The law directly affects owners of properties qualifying for historic or archaeological tax exemptions, ensuring their tax assessment reflects the reduced value caused by preservation restrictions. The change applies only to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 209 establishes the Texas Technology and Innovation Program to help Texas businesses access federal innovation funding. The program matches or supplements money from federal small business innovation programs (like SBIR/STTR) for eligible Texas businesses. To qualify, businesses must be based in Texas (with a state headquarters, manufacturing facility, or majority of employees residing here), meet federal program requirements, and not receive similar funding from other state programs. The Texas office will administer the program, requiring businesses to apply with proof of federal program eligibility and other documentation.