Rep. Ellen Troxclair

Maddy summaryHB 5151 prohibits new mines, quarries, or rock crushing facilities within specific distances of sensitive locations: four miles of lakes with fish hatcheries operated by Texas river authorities, four miles of state park caverns designated as National Natural Landmarks, and two miles of licensed youth camps founded in 1975. The bill applies to facilities seeking new air quality permits but excludes sites already operating legally before January 1, 2025. It takes effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote, otherwise on September 1, 2025. This directly affects developers seeking to establish new aggregate operations near these protected sites.

Maddy summaryHB 5141 authorizes the Texas Department of State Health Services to lease 16.08 acres of property at the Austin State Hospital tract to Travis County. The 99-year lease requires Travis County to use the land solely for public purposes, with automatic termination if not used for more than 180 consecutive days. The agreement specifies that Travis County may operate public amenities and construct improvements on the property, while the state retains custody of the lease documents. This bill directly affects Travis County's use of this specific state-owned land, with no broader policy changes beyond the lease terms.

Maddy summaryHB 3118 limits how Texas municipalities can spend revenue from hotel occupancy taxes, restricting it exclusively to tourism and convention industry promotion. The bill specifies seven permitted uses: building/convention centers, visitor centers, tourism advertising, arts promotion, historic preservation projects near tourist sites, and certain sporting events meeting population criteria. It does not allow general municipal spending with these funds. The law directly affects all Texas municipalities collecting hotel occupancy taxes. This amendment to the Tax Code clarifies that such revenue must directly support tourism economic development.

Maddy summaryHB 1551 requires Texas public school districts and charter schools to notify parents or guardians within two school days if an employee is charged with certain criminal offenses under Texas law (specifically Article 42.018, which covers crimes against children). The notice must include the employee's name, position, employment status, length of employment, and the charge, while stating that the employee is presumed innocent. Schools cannot disclose the alleged victim's identity but may add non-sensitive facts about the case. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing state taxes on property transferred after someone's death, including estate, inheritance, or gift taxes. It specifically prevents new taxes on these transfers or increases to existing taxes that were in place before January 1, 2025. Exceptions include taxes on motor vehicle gifts, certain property taxes (ad valorem), and taxes already authorized under existing law. This amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election and would affect anyone transferring property through wills, inheritances, or gifts after the amendment takes effect.

Maddy summaryHB 530 prohibits Texas cities and counties from establishing new guaranteed income programs that provide unconditional cash payments to residents for any purpose. Existing programs in effect before the bill's enactment may continue until January 1, 2026, or until their expiration. The bill amends the Local Government Code to establish this restriction, taking effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1431 defines "cell-cultured protein" as food made by harvesting animal cells and replicating them in a growth medium, then adds it to Texas' prohibited acts under the Health and Safety Code. The bill specifically bans the manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, sale, or offer for sale of cell-cultured protein for human consumption within Texas. This targets companies producing or selling lab-grown meat alternatives, making such activities unlawful under existing food safety prohibitions without creating new regulatory requirements. The bill remains pending after being postponed on May 14, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3015 requires that fees paid directly to primary care physicians (such as monthly retainers or membership fees) count toward the insurance deductibles for participants in two specific Texas state health benefit plans: the Employees Retirement System of Texas and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. This means patients using direct primary care services can apply those fees toward their annual insurance deductible, reducing out-of-pocket costs for care. The law applies to health plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025. It does not affect general health insurance plans outside these two retirement systems.

Maddy summaryHB 1228 allows homeowners to immediately begin emergency repairs on damaged residential buildings if the repairs protect public safety, prevent further damage, or preserve structural integrity. Homeowners must apply for an emergency permit within three business days of starting repairs or when the municipality/county can accept the application. The bill requires cities and counties to permit these immediate repairs and prohibits them from blocking such work. If a local government violates this law, homeowners can sue for damages and recover attorney fees. This directly affects homeowners needing urgent repairs and local governments managing building permits.

Maddy summaryHB 2458 adds a new defense for people accused of aggravated assault in Texas. It allows a defendant to claim they threatened to use a deadly weapon if two conditions were met: the threat would have been justified under self-defense law (Chapter 9 of the Penal Code), and they reasonably believed the threat was immediately necessary to defend against another person’s unlawful force or deadly force. This defense only applies to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. The bill modifies Texas law to clarify when threatening to use a weapon can be part of a valid self-defense claim in aggravated assault cases.