Sen. Bryan Hughes

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 1626 clarifies that social media platforms operating in Texas must act as common carriers for digital expression, prohibiting discrimination in content moderation. It directly affects major social media platforms by requiring them to facilitate public debate without restricting content based on viewpoint. The bill amends the Business & Commerce Code to define "social media platform" and aims to prevent federal censorship through platforms, building on prior law H.B. 20. Its key provision mandates that platforms cannot unreasonably remove or restrict user content, ensuring equal access to digital public forums.

Maddy summarySB 1864 allows small egg producers to sell ungraded eggs directly to consumers and up to 500 dozen per week wholesale within Texas. It requires producers selling wholesale to register with the state for an annual fee of up to $50, label cartons with "ungraded" plus their name, address, packing date, and registration number, and follow specific food safety rules (refrigeration within 36 hours, storage at 45°F or below, and sanitation standards). The bill directly affects backyard or small-scale egg producers who do not grade their eggs but wish to sell them commercially. Key provisions include limiting wholesale sales to 500 dozen weekly, mandating clear labeling, and establishing registration and safety requirements. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, if not passed with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summarySB 2035 prohibits political committees from making contributions, expenditures, or related activities supporting or opposing ballot measures (such as proposed state laws or constitutional amendments). It directly affects political committees and individuals seeking to influence voter decisions on these measures. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations and imposes civil fines. Its key purpose is to limit financial influence on ballot measure campaigns by banning specific political spending related to them.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 310 (SB 310) changes how majority votes are counted in certain elections. It requires candidates for public office or party nominations to receive more than half of the votes cast in the initial ballot - banning the use of ranked-choice voting systems to reassign votes and determine a majority. The bill directly affects elections for Texas state offices and political party nominations where a majority is required. It takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 586), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally recognizes G. David Smith of Rockwall for being named president-elect of the State Bar of Texas. The resolution, adopted by the Texas Senate on May 27, 2025, congratulates him on this appointment and directs that an official copy be sent to him as a gesture of the Senate's high regard. It does not affect any laws, policies, or individuals beyond this recognition.

Maddy summarySB 314 prohibits Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools from including seven specific food additives - brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, propylparaben, azodicarbonamide, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), red dye 3, and titanium dioxide - in free or reduced-price meals served under federal programs like the National School Lunch Program. The bill applies to food contracts entered into or renewed on or after September 1, 2025, with potential earlier implementation if passed with a two-thirds legislative vote. It directly affects schools serving eligible students through federally funded meal programs. The law does not restrict additives in paid meals or other school food offerings.

Maddy summarySB 1422 designates a specific bridge on Farm-to-Market Road 852 crossing Lake Gilmer in Upshur County as the "Petty Officer Billy Machen Memorial Bridge." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at each end of the bridge indicating this designation. This is a commemorative resolution with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on residents, programs, or funding - only renaming a physical structure in honor of Petty Officer Billy Machen.

Maddy summarySB 1236 requires health benefit plan issuers and pharmacy benefit managers in Texas to stop denying or reducing claim payments to pharmacists or pharmacies after a claim has been processed. It limits recoupments (recovery of overpayments) only to cases of fraud, duplicate payments, or specific errors (like wrong drug/dosage), and prohibits recouping dispensing fees for simple clerical mistakes. The bill also mandates that issuers provide pharmacists with secure online access to all pharmacy benefit network contracts, including any updates. These changes directly affect pharmacists, pharmacies, and health plans by clarifying payment rules and improving transparency in contract terms. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1273 establishes the Higher Education Research Security Council to address risks of foreign espionage and interference in academic research at Texas's top research universities. The council, composed of designated security officers from participating "tier one research institutions" (as defined by the Carnegie Classification), will develop security policies, identify best practices, create an accreditation program for secure research, and offer annual training on researcher background checks and security tools. This applies specifically to Texas public and private institutions designated as R1 research universities. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 27, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 186 prohibits children under 18 from using social media platforms in Texas, subject to federal law. The bill defines "social media platform" to exclude email, internet service providers, news websites, and interactive gaming platforms. Social media platforms must verify users are 18 or older before account creation using a reasonable method relying on public or private data, then delete all verification information immediately. This law directly affects children under 18 and social media companies operating in Texas.