Rep. Stan Lambert

Maddy summaryHB 9 creates a property tax exemption for businesses owning tangible personal property (like equipment or inventory) used to generate income. It exempts $125,000 of the appraised value of such property at each location within a taxing unit, regardless of the property's individual value. The exemption applies to all businesses holding income-producing property at a single address, and related businesses operating under a unified enterprise must aggregate their property to calculate the exemption. Additionally, businesses leasing such property receive the full $125,000 exemption for all leased items, even if located across different taxing units.

Maddy summarySJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow judges to deny bail to individuals accused of certain violent or sexual offenses punishable as first-degree felonies, or continuous human trafficking. It directly affects people facing these specific charges by requiring judges to find, by clear and convincing evidence, that bail would not ensure court appearance or community safety. Key provisions include mandating written orders with specific findings for bail denials and requiring judges to consider standard bail factors under existing law. The amendment must be approved by voters in November 2025 to take effect, as it is a proposed constitutional change rather than an immediate law.

Maddy summarySJR 59 proposes a constitutional amendment to create two dedicated funds for Texas State Technical College System campuses: a permanent infrastructure fund for long-term capital projects and an available workforce education fund for immediate equipment and facility needs. This bill repeals a current funding limitation, allowing the system to access annual appropriations meant for public higher education institutions without restrictions. The funds would be financed through existing state appropriations, investments, and donations, managed by the comptroller, to support campus buildings, equipment, and educational program infrastructure. The amendment would directly affect Texas State Technical College System campuses by providing a dedicated, stable funding source for their capital requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2448 creates a statewide Rural Workforce Development Grant Program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission. The program provides grants to local entities (including rural school districts, businesses, and nonprofits) to fund job training, career readiness programs, and partnerships with colleges that align with local job market needs. Key provisions include supporting high-wage job recruitment, helping students earn valuable degrees/certifications cost-effectively, and assisting rural communities in aligning education, workforce, and economic goals. The bill directly affects rural Texans by targeting resources to improve employment opportunities and educational outcomes in underserved areas.

Maddy summarySB 1239 clarifies which state law governs disputes involving certificated and uncertificated securities, particularly those issued by foreign states (as defined by 28 U.S.C. §1603). It requires that the law agreed upon by the issuer governs invalidity consequences and automatically transfers certain claims (like damages against issuers or trustees) to security purchasers without requiring separate written agreements. The bill also prohibits issuers or other parties from raising defenses based on a purchaser's intent to enforce rights through litigation. It directly affects purchasers of securities and ensures consistent application of governing law for these financial instruments. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 3474 requires Texas public retirement systems with assets over $30 million to conduct regular evaluations of their investment practices and performance. Systems with assets of $100 million or more must evaluate every three years, while those with $30-$100 million in assets must evaluate every six years, unless pension liabilities reach $100 million during the cycle. The bill mandates that independent firms complete these evaluations and submit draft reports to the retirement systems for review, followed by final reports including any system responses. The law, signed by the Governor and effective September 1, 2025, applies to all qualifying public retirement systems in Texas.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal description of Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College in the Texas Education Code by removing the term "upper-level" from its official designation. It directly affects the university's Rio Grande College campuses in Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Uvalde, which are part of Sul Ross State University. The change takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter course offerings, funding, or academic programs. The bill is purely procedural, adjusting how the institution is formally referenced in state law.

Maddy summaryHB 3229 requires recycling facilities handling wind turbine components (like blades and towers), solar equipment (such as panels and inverters), and battery storage systems to submit annual reports detailing unsent materials and recycling costs. Facilities must provide financial assurance equal to 100% of estimated recycling costs through methods like parent company guarantees or bonds. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will maintain a public list of compliant facilities. This law directly affects businesses recycling renewable energy infrastructure, creating new reporting and funding requirements to ensure proper handling of these materials.

Maddy summaryHB 4 restricts Texas public school districts and campuses from obtaining exemptions or waivers for specific requirements, including graduation standards, school accountability measures under Chapters 39 and 39A, health and safety rules, and programs for special education and bilingual students. The bill explicitly prohibits waivers for federal mandates, essential knowledge/skills, class size limits (except as allowed by law), extracurricular activities, and other key areas listed in the legislation. It also changes the appeal process for challenges to the commissioner's decisions, requiring appeals to be filed in Travis County district court with specific procedural steps. This bill directly affects school districts, the Texas Education Agency, and individuals seeking to challenge educational decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 37 requires hospitals with maternal care designations to provide bereavement counseling options and perinatal bereavement devices (which delay tissue deterioration for up to 72 hours after pregnancy loss or infant death) to families following intrauterine fetal demise, neonatal death, or stillbirth. The Texas Department of State Health Services must establish a perinatal bereavement care initiative offering hospitals training for staff on compassionate communication and resources like devices with maintenance support. This law directly affects designated hospitals and families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss in Texas. The initiative aims to improve access to supportive care during this difficult time, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025.