Rep. Carl Tepper

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 1255) formally congratulates the City of Lubbock for earning all four "Friendly Texas Certified Community" designations - covering music, film, digital media, and tourism - making it one of the first Texas communities to achieve this full certification. It recognizes Lubbock’s completion of a state program administered by the Texas Film Commission, Texas Music Office, and Travel Texas, which provides resources to support economic growth in these creative industries. The resolution has no policy or legal effect; it is purely ceremonial, expressing the Texas House’s recognition and providing Lubbock with an official copy of the resolution.

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 summarySB 2519 restricts how property tax revenue (ad valorem taxes) can fund public bonds or securities. It defines "materially deviate" as significant changes to approved tax purposes, such as cost increases over 33%, scope reductions, or altered financing structures. Property owners can seek an injunction to stop tax collection if a taxing unit (like a city or county) deviates from the original purpose, with refunds and legal fees if they win. The law applies to tax elections adopted after its effective date, preventing revenue from property tax votes from being redirected to pay bond debts.

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 Texas bill prohibits most state agencies, courts, and the legislature from implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that influence hiring or workforce composition based on race, sex, or ethnicity. It bans offices conducting trainings or programs related to concepts like "systemic oppression," "anti-racism," or "gender theory" unless specifically approved by an attorney general for legal compliance. The law exempts universities and initiatives solely designed to meet federal or state legal requirements. It defines prohibited activities to prevent "differential treatment" or "special benefits" based on protected characteristics.

Maddy summaryHB 1876 creates a grant program for Texas school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to improve data collection and reporting on career and technical education (CTE) programs. The Texas Education Agency will award grants to fund software, training, and strategies for tracking student participation in CTE activities - including work-based learning, industry certifications, and career readiness - while breaking down data by race, ethnicity, gender, and special populations. Schools can also use grants to integrate CTE data with the state’s education information system. This program aims to enhance CTE program effectiveness and student outcomes through better data-driven decision-making.

Maddy summaryHB 3349 abolishes three state trust funds: the Pan American Games trust fund, Olympic Games trust fund, and motor sports racing trust fund. The bill amends Texas Government Code sections to remove references to these funds and update definitions related to "events" and "games" (such as deleting the Olympic and Pan American Games from the list of covered events). It specifically eliminates the legal requirement for the state to use these trust funds for financial commitments related to those events. The bill directly affects state budget administration by ending these dedicated funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 3679 temporarily allows vehicles to use dyed motor fuel (typically for off-road use) on public roads during declared disasters like hurricanes or floods. It permits this fuel use for 30 days after a disaster declaration ends, provided the vehicle operates in the declared disaster area or where the fuel was added. The bill also creates a new permit allowing oversized agricultural vehicles to deliver farm products (like crops, livestock, or processed foods) during disasters, bypassing standard weight restrictions. This applies to vehicles transporting "agricultural commodities" as defined in the bill, specifically for disaster-related deliveries. The policy directly affects commercial fuel users and agricultural transporters operating during emergency periods.

Maddy summarySB 1197 amends Texas Penal Code Section 42.15 to criminalize unauthorized operation of unmanned aircraft (drones) over licensed spaceports. It prohibits intentionally or knowingly operating drones that interfere with spaceport operations, cause contact with facilities, or disturb activities there. The law includes specific defenses for government entities, contractors, law enforcement, spaceport owners, or individuals with prior written authorization from spaceport operators or the Federal Aviation Administration. This directly affects drone operators near spaceports like SpaceX’s Starbase, requiring compliance with new safety restrictions to avoid criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1794 amends Texas law to permit licensed handgun carriers to carry concealed handguns on polling place premises during elections or early voting. It specifically allows holders of valid concealed handgun licenses (CHL) to possess only a concealed handgun at these locations, provided no other weapons are carried. The bill removes the current prohibition against concealed weapons at polling places for CHL holders, aligning with existing exceptions for other locations like schools. This change directly affects licensed handgun carriers participating in elections but does not permit open carry or other weapons. The amendment modifies Section 46.03(a)(2) of the Penal Code to create this specific exception.