Sen. Mayes Middleton

Maddy summarySB 33 prohibits Texas governmental entities from using taxpayer funds to pay for or facilitate abortion-related services. It bans transactions with "abortion assistance entities" (organizations providing financial help, travel, childcare, or abortion drugs) or abortion providers for abortion procurement. The law specifically prevents government spending on logistical support like travel, lodging, childcare, or food to help individuals access abortion services. This applies to all state and local government entities and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 510 requires Texas voter registrars (county election officials) to timely complete specific voter registration duties, such as processing registration changes or scheduling hearings. If a registrar fails to meet these deadlines, the Secretary of State may withhold state funds distributed under Chapters 19 or 31. Registrars can regain funds by completing the required duty within 30 days of the funds being withheld. The bill directly affects county election offices and aims to ensure timely voter registration processing. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2406 updates rules for the Sabine River Authority of Texas board of directors. It specifies five clear grounds for removing a board member: failing to meet qualifications, violating ethics laws, inability to serve due to illness, excessive unexcused absences (over 50% of meetings), or losing qualifications during service. The bill also adjusts the Sunset Review schedule, requiring the Authority to undergo review every 12 years starting in 2025 instead of 2037. The changes apply directly to the Authority’s board members and take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 33, titled the "Uvalde Strong Act," requires Texas public and charter schools to comply with additional safety and operational requirements related to active shooter incidents and emergencies. It amends the Education Code to mandate adherence to existing rules covering student data systems, criminal background checks, discipline practices, health/safety protocols, bullying prevention, and staff reporting obligations. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools by expanding their compliance obligations under current safety frameworks. It does not create new rules but requires schools to follow more existing provisions related to emergency preparedness and student safety. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 2067 requires insurers in Texas to provide written explanations for denying insurance applications, canceling policies, or refusing to renew coverage. It mandates that insurers give these reasons to applicants or policyholders upon request and submit quarterly reports to the Texas Department of Insurance, organized by zip code. The bill also specifies that notices for commercial insurance denials must be delivered to agents, who must then share them with applicants. These requirements apply to policies regulated under specific insurance chapters and become effective January 2026. The law aims to increase transparency in insurance decisions without altering coverage terms or costs.

Maddy summaryHB 4144 creates supplemental benefits for retired firefighters and peace officers diagnosed with specific illnesses (cancer, heart attack, or stroke) within three years of retirement. It requires governmental entities to provide a benefit capped at $100,000 (or the retiree's final annual salary, whichever is lower), payable as a lump sum or over three months, with annual adjustments tied to inflation. The benefit does not apply to entities already offering comparable health coverage to retirees. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to retirements occurring on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 37 requires Texas public universities to review their general education curriculum and graduation requirements every five years. It mandates that these reviews ensure courses are foundational for education, prepare students for civic/professional life, and avoid teaching specific concepts like "identity politics" or theories claiming systemic racism is inherent in U.S. institutions. The bill also requires governing boards to consider student costs, including additional tuition and time to complete degrees. This law directly affects all 15 public universities in Texas and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4076 prohibits health care providers from denying organ transplants or related services (like evaluations, surgery, or waiting list placement) solely based on a patient's vaccination status. It allows providers to consider vaccination status only if medically significant to the transplant, following individualized assessment - such as if unvaccinated patients face higher infection risks. The law covers all transplant stages and protects providers who comply with it from penalties, while permitting alternatives like antibody testing instead of vaccination requirements. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all organ transplant candidates in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 20 creates a new criminal offense for possessing, accessing with intent to view, or promoting obscene visual material that appears to depict a child under 18, including AI-generated images, animations, or digital representations. The law applies to any material seeming to show a child in sexual activity (per Section 43.21(a)(1)(B)), regardless of whether the depiction is real or computer-created. A first offense is classified as a state jail felony, with repeat offenses potentially increasing penalties to third-degree (for one prior conviction) or second-degree (for two or more prior convictions) felonies. This bill directly affects individuals who share or view such material, with no exceptions for digital or AI-generated content.

Maddy summaryHB 1393 would amend Texas law to require the state to observe daylight saving time year-round, creating a new time zone called "Texas Time" for all areas currently using Central or Mountain Standard Time. This bill directly affects all Texans by changing the state's standard time practice, eliminating seasonal clock changes. The key provision states that Texas would permanently adopt daylight saving time, but the law's implementation is conditional: it only takes effect if the U.S. Congress passes federal legislation authorizing states to do so. The bill passed both chambers and was signed by the governor in June 2025, pending federal action.