Rep. Brian Harrison

Maddy summaryHB 105 changes how local governments calculate property tax rates (taxes based on property value) and establishes a new approval process for tax rates exceeding the level previously approved by voters. Taxing units, such as cities, counties, or school districts, would need to follow this specific procedure to raise property taxes above the voter-approved limit. This bill directly affects property owners, as their tax bills could be influenced by these updated rules. The bill also includes minor adjustments to other related laws to maintain consistency with these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 120 prohibits Texas public universities from offering certificate or degree programs, majors, minors, or courses in LGBTQ studies or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The bill requires all academic programs to align with a definition of "biological reality" stating there are only two unchangeable sexes (male/female), banning DEI programs that promote differential treatment based on race, color, or ethnicity. It mandates annual state audits to check compliance, with non-compliant institutions losing state funding, and imposes penalties on faculty (unpaid leave for first violation, termination for repeat violations). The law directly affects Texas public higher education institutions, their faculty, and students enrolled in affected programs.

Maddy summaryHB 114 prohibits school districts and charter districts from having their bonds guaranteed or underwritten using money from the permanent school fund. It directly affects public school districts and charter districts by banning this specific financial mechanism for new bonds approved after September 1, 2025. Existing bonds approved before that date remain guaranteed until maturity under a grandfather clause. The bill amends the Education Code to remove language allowing such guarantees and makes technical updates to related charter school funding provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 131 repeals the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and transfers its funds to the Texas Education Agency. The transferred money would be used to reduce state property tax rates for homeowners. This bill only takes effect if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in 2025; otherwise, it has no legal impact. The legislation directly affects state funding allocations and property tax policy, with no changes to dementia research programs.

Maddy summaryHB 127 prohibits Texas state agencies from promoting "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI) or LGBTQ-related content in their operations. The bill requires agencies to treat people equally regardless of race, color, or national origin, while mandating that all actions comply with the "biological reality" that sex is strictly male or female. Key mechanisms include voiding any agency policies, curricula, or contracts violating these rules, and banning DEI initiatives as "null and void ab initio." The bill directly affects all Texas state agencies, including education, health, and government departments, by restricting how they develop policies or communicate with the public. It takes effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers, or 91 days after the session ends.

Maddy summaryHB 116 repeals Texas' Moving Image Incentive Program, which previously provided financial incentives to film and television productions. The bill directs the comptroller to transfer any remaining program funds to the Texas Education Agency to reduce the state's compression percentage for school funding. This change directly affects the film and entertainment industry, which no longer receives these state incentives. The policy shift redirects resources toward public education funding without altering existing school finance formulas.

Maddy summaryHJR 14 proposes a constitutional amendment to end ad valorem property taxes in Texas. It would prohibit local governments from levying these taxes on real or personal property after January 1, 2031, and require the state to guarantee repayment of school district bonds issued before November 4, 2025, that were secured by such taxes. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 4, 2025 election. This directly affects all Texas counties, cities, and school districts currently using ad valorem taxes for funding.

Maddy summaryHB 205 repeals the state budget for the fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2027, specifically removing Chapter 1185 (S.B. 1) from the 2025 General Appropriations Act. This action would eliminate the legally enacted spending plan governing state government operations during 2025-2027. The bill directly affects how state funds are allocated and managed for that period, requiring a new budget to be enacted. It takes effect immediately if approved by two-thirds of each legislative chamber, or on the 91st day after the session if not.

Maddy summaryHB 181 repeals the Texas Quantum Initiative, a specific program under Texas Government Code, effective September 1, 2025. It redirects all funds previously allocated to this initiative to the Texas Education Agency for the 2025-2027 state budget cycle. The redirected funds will be used to lower the state's "compression percentage" - a funding formula that reduces school district allocations - to its minimum level under Education Code Section 48.255. This bill directly affects public school funding by altering how state education resources are distributed to districts.

Maddy summaryHB 178 repeals the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, which was enacted in 2023. This law allowed school districts to apply specific limitations on taxable property values for school funding calculations. The bill removes these limitations by repealing the relevant section of the Government Code (Subchapter T, Chapter 403) that was added by the repealed act. As a result, school districts in Texas will no longer have access to these property value restrictions when determining their taxable valuation for state funding purposes.