Rep. John Smithee

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 summarySB 1855 requires developers to attach a certification to land subdivision plans (plats) for properties relying on groundwater beneath the land. This certification must be prepared by a licensed Texas engineer or geoscientist and confirm adequate groundwater availability, following rules set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Municipalities and county commissioners courts must disapprove any plat lacking this certification. The bill directly affects subdivision developers, local governments reviewing land divisions, and the TCEQ, which establishes the standards for acceptable groundwater evidence.

Maddy summaryHB 3135 creates specialty license plates for retired firefighters in Texas, directly affecting eligible retired personnel who served as volunteer firefighters certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or the State Firefighters' Association, or as career fire protection staff under state law. The bill requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to design and issue these plates at no cost to qualifying individuals. It defines "retired firefighter" specifically to include both certified volunteers and career personnel meeting certain criteria. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, making these plates available to eligible retirees without additional fees.

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 1999 prohibits school districts, charter schools, colleges, and government employers from disciplining, retaliating against, or discriminating against employees or students who use terms consistent with a person's biological sex when addressing them. It applies to K-12 staff and students (Section 22.905), higher education staff and students (Section 51.9316), and public employees addressing colleagues or the public (Section 3001.001). The law specifically protects using terms matching a person’s sex assigned at birth, without requiring anyone to use such terms. The bill takes effect immediately if passed by two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summarySJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Texas school district property tax exemptions for elderly or disabled homeowners. Currently, the exemption for these residents is $10,000; this bill would raise it to $60,000 of a home's market value. The amendment would allow the legislature to adjust this exemption amount, with provisions ensuring eligible individuals (65+ or disabled) cannot receive both the basic exemption and this enhanced benefit. It directly affects Texas homeowners aged 65 or older or with disabilities who own their primary residence. The bill requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.

Maddy summarySJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead exemption for school district property taxes in Texas from $100,000 to $140,000. This change would directly reduce the taxable value of a primary residence for school taxes, lowering property tax bills for homeowners. The amendment requires voter approval in a November 2025 election to take effect for the 2025 tax year. If passed, it would provide an additional $40,000 in tax relief on primary homes for school funding purposes.

Maddy summarySB 990 amends Texas law to impose enhanced penalties for specific murder cases. It targets offenders who commit murder under nine defined aggravating circumstances, including killing police/firefighters on duty, murdering during other serious crimes (like burglary or robbery), hiring hitmen, killing children under 15, or killing someone in retaliation for their judicial role. The bill does not change general murder penalties but increases punishment severity for these specific scenarios. It directly affects individuals convicted of murder meeting any of these listed conditions. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySB 1835 sets limits on the number of nonresident students who can pay in-state tuition rates at Texas public universities through scholarship programs. It caps nonresident scholarship students at 5% of total enrollment for most institutions, or up to 20% for schools in areas with slower population growth (per census data) that have verified facility capacity. The bill requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to create rules for implementation and applies starting the 2025-2026 academic year. This directly affects public universities and nonresident scholarship recipients who would otherwise pay higher out-of-state tuition fees.

Maddy summaryHB 3976 waives license renewal fees for faculty members teaching in high-demand licensed professions at Texas public colleges and universities. It specifically applies to instructors in fields like nursing, pharmacy, engineering, plumbing, electrical work, and certain teaching roles (e.g., bilingual education), as defined in the bill. The waiver eliminates the standard renewal fee for these educators when they teach in their licensed field, reducing costs for public institutions. The policy takes effect September 1, 2025.