Rep. Tom Craddick

Maddy summaryHB 206 prohibits Texas counties from requiring pipeline companies to post a cash bond as a condition for approving pipeline construction within county boundaries. The bill directly affects pipeline developers seeking county permits, eliminating a financial barrier they previously faced. It takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to new pipeline construction applications filed on or after that date. This policy change removes a specific county-level requirement, streamlining the approval process for pipeline projects.

Maddy summarySB 266 updates Texas tax collection procedures by requiring taxpayers to provide contemporaneous records (such as invoices, contracts, or electronic documents) to support claims about tax, penalty, or interest amounts in disputes. It creates a new process for taxpayers to bypass the standard review of "managed audits" (a type of audit) and go directly to court by filing a notice within 60 days of receiving audit results, detailing specific disputed facts and legal grounds. The bill also specifies that penalties for disputed amounts are waived during court proceedings, but if a final court judgment isn’t paid within 20 days, a 10% penalty applies to the unpaid amount.

Maddy summarySB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia causes, prevention, and treatment. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and research groups to expand dementia-related studies and create jobs. It establishes three committees to oversee funding and research priorities, with the program set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless renewed under Texas law. The bill directly affects Texas research institutions receiving grants and aims to improve dementia health outcomes for state residents. This legislation became law after being signed by the Governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 1028 designates May 21, 2025, as "Texas Capitol Staff Appreciation Day" to symbolically recognize legislative staff members for their work supporting Texas lawmakers. This ceremonial resolution, adopted by the Texas House of Representatives, expresses formal appreciation for staff employed in state lawmaker offices and legislative agencies. It has no legal effect, funding requirements, or policy changes - it solely serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition. The bill passed the House on May 23, 2025, and is now enrolled.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to exempt up to $125,000 of the market value of business-used tangible personal property (like equipment or vehicles) from property tax. It would directly affect business owners who hold such property for income generation, such as small business operators or farmers. The amendment would revise the state constitution to authorize this specific exemption amount, replacing the current exemption structure. If approved by voters in November 2025, this would become a permanent constitutional provision enabling future legislation to implement the tax break. The bill is now headed to the November ballot after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage, limiting coverage, or charging higher rates to individuals who are widowed or whose marital status reflects the death of a spouse, compared to married individuals. It directly affects widowed people applying for or renewing insurance policies. The law requires insurers to treat widowed customers the same as married customers for rate-setting and coverage availability. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not apply to policies delivered or renewed before that date.

Maddy summaryHB 265 adjusts how Texas allocates constitutionally required funds between three state funds: the economic stabilization fund, the state highway fund, and the Grow Texas fund. If available funds fall below a set threshold, the bill requires the state treasurer to proportionally reduce highway fund allocations, increase economic stabilization fund funding, and transfer the difference to the Grow Texas fund. This mechanism directly affects state budgeting for infrastructure projects, economic stability programs, and business growth initiatives, with the adjustment set to expire December 31, 2042.

Maddy summarySB 1806 regulates the handling of petroleum products (crude oil and condensate) in Texas by creating new criminal offenses for illegal activities like unauthorized possession, storage, or transportation. It requires law enforcement to use NYMEX oil prices to sell stolen petroleum products and mandates inspections of cargo tanks on public roads by trained officers, with samples sent to crime labs for analysis. The bill directly affects oil and gas industry operators, law enforcement agencies, and individuals involved in petroleum product transactions. It increases penalties for existing crimes related to petroleum products and takes effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 2621 requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to record and keep live video feeds from its cameras for at least 30 days. These recordings are confidential and cannot be disclosed publicly, except when shared with police for criminal investigations. The law applies to all video cameras used by TxDOT in its operations and takes effect on September 1, 2025. This policy change directly affects TxDOT's video management practices and limits public access to these recordings.

Maddy summaryHB 3199 requires Texas property tax collectors to deliver specific delinquency and penalty notices to property owners by certified mail instead of regular mail. It amends three sections of the Tax Code (33.04, 33.07, and 33.08) to mandate certified mail for: (1) annual delinquency notices, (2) penalty notices sent 30-60 days before July 1, and (3) penalty notices after taxes become delinquent. This directly affects property owners who owe taxes and taxing units or appraisal districts responsible for sending these notices. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and changes only the delivery method - not the tax amounts or penalties themselves.