Sen. Bryan Hughes

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 506) is a symbolic gesture by the Texas Senate to recognize May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month. It formally acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States and Texas, including their roles in the Texas Revolution, community founding, and cultural enrichment. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it serves only as a ceremonial acknowledgment by the Texas Senate. It directly affects the state legislature's official recognition of this observance. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 8, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2119 would allow medical and veterinary students in Texas to seek exemptions from certain immunization requirements for enrollment or course participation. Students could provide either a signed affidavit stating they decline immunizations for conscience or religious reasons (using a specific form) or a physician's certificate stating immunizations would harm their health. These documents must be submitted to the school's admitting official within 90 days of notarization. The bill specifically applies to students in accredited medical schools or veterinary medicine programs, not general student populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Texas Attorney General to prosecute certain election-related crimes if local prosecutors do not act within six months. Specifically, it mandates that law enforcement agencies must send reports of suspected election law violations to both local prosecutors and the Attorney General. If a local prosecutor fails to file charges within six months, the Attorney General gains automatic authority to handle the case. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and affects how election crime cases are processed across Texas.

Maddy summarySB 2883 sets expiration dates for six Texas business court divisions (Second, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth) on September 1, 2026, requiring legislative reauthorization and new funding to continue beyond that date. The bill also increases the monetary threshold for business court jurisdiction from $4.5 million to $5 million for certain complex civil cases involving corporate governance, securities laws, or organizational disputes. These changes directly affect business courts operating in specific counties across Texas, which serve as specialized venues for high-value commercial litigation. The legislation does not create new courts but establishes terms for existing divisions' continuation.

Maddy summarySB 844 establishes new procedures for Texas municipalities making zoning changes that do not qualify as major overhauls (e.g., not city-wide code updates or new zoning maps). It requires written protests signed by owners of at least 20% of the affected land or 60% of adjacent land within 200 feet to trigger stricter approval rules. If protested, such zoning changes must receive approval from at least three-fourths of the city council. This applies only to smaller, targeted adjustments - not comprehensive zoning changes - as defined in the bill.

Maddy summarySB 1659 requires government entities to obtain a warrant before searching location information they purchase from data brokers or electronic personal data trackers (like apps/websites that collect location data). This bill directly affects law enforcement and government agencies that buy such location data for investigations. It amends Texas law to explicitly include purchased location data under the list of items requiring a warrant, specifically adding it to Article 18.02(a)(15) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The key mechanism is changing the legal standard for accessing this type of data, moving from no warrant requirement to judicial approval. This policy change applies to all location data acquired by government entities from third-party sources, not data collected directly by the government.

Maddy summarySB 1551 requires Texas public school districts to provide at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) at every campus by the first instructional day of the 2026-2027 school year. The law mandates AEDs be placed in clearly marked, accessible locations - especially near primary athletic activity areas - and not locked when students or staff are present. It specifically requires AEDs to be available during University Interscholastic League (UIL) athletic events held on campus. This bill directly affects all Texas public school districts, imposing a concrete safety requirement with a specific implementation deadline.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate Resolution (SR 502) honoring Deputy Melissa Pollard of the Wood County Sheriff's Office, who died in the line of duty on April 9, 2025. The resolution recognizes her 22-year law enforcement career, her community service (including Project Lifesaver and SPCA involvement), and her family, while extending condolences to her daughter, grandchildren, sisters, and colleagues. It does not create new laws or policies - it is a symbolic tribute approved by the Texas Senate on May 6, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 28 prohibits purchasing or facilitating the purchase of state lottery tickets via telephone, internet, or mobile applications. It specifically bans individuals from buying tickets online or through apps (a Class C misdemeanor) and bans selling or arranging such purchases for compensation (a Class A misdemeanor). The bill directly affects residents attempting to access lottery games digitally and businesses or individuals offering such services. It creates new criminal penalties under Section 466.318 of the Government Code, effective September 1, 2025. The law aims to enforce existing age and location restrictions for lottery play by closing digital loopholes.

Maddy summarySB 2430 would protect Texas public institutions of higher education by defining "foreign adversaries" (including Qatar and U.S.-designated countries) and "foreign sources" (like foreign governments or entities), requiring these institutions to monitor and report foreign connections. The bill establishes civil and administrative penalties for violations related to foreign influence on research or operations. It also increases criminal penalties for theft of trade secrets, a separate provision included in the bill. The law aims to safeguard academic research integrity and prevent undue foreign influence on public universities and colleges.