Sen. Mayes Middleton

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.

Maddy summarySB 455 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (for risks wholly located in Texas) include arbitration agreements conducted in Texas under Texas law, unless both insurer and policyholder agree to change the venue after the insurer provides written notice and a premium credit for added costs. This applies to new or renewed contracts on or after January 1, 2026, affecting insurers and policyholders purchasing specialized insurance for high-risk properties in Texas. The bill ensures arbitration venues and legal interpretations remain tied to Texas, preventing out-of-state arbitration without financial compensation to policyholders. It becomes effective September 1, 2025, but the new rules apply to contracts delivered after 2025.

Maddy summarySB 414 requires Texas local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) to include specific details on ballots for bond elections seeking voter approval. The bill mandates that each ballot proposition must clearly state: the single purpose of the bonds, the total principal amount, estimated interest, combined principal and interest cost, and confirmation that taxes will cover repayment. It also requires separate ballot propositions for each distinct project purpose and directs local governments to create voter information documents explaining the ballot language. This aims to increase transparency for voters about bond financing before they cast their votes.

Maddy summarySB 1927 would have amended Texas law to prevent municipalities from banning the removal of Ashe juniper trees on residential properties or charging fees for such removals, except in specific areas. The exception applies to regions within 15 miles of active military bases (as defined in state law) and in counties with populations exceeding 2 million. This bill directly affects homeowners in those designated areas who might otherwise face restrictions on removing Ashe juniper trees. The bill was reported adversely by the Senate Local Government Committee on April 14, 2025, and did not advance further.

Maddy summarySB 747 amends Texas education law to address the production and distribution of intimate visual material (including AI-generated content) by public school students. It expands the definition of cyberbullying to include sharing such material without consent and requires school districts to update anti-bullying policies with specific measures like student instruction on relationship-building, anonymous reporting systems, and annual bullying surveys. The bill also mandates the state to develop educational programs for schools about legal consequences and risks of sharing intimate visual material, particularly AI-created content. These changes apply to all Texas public schools starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 570 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt attendance policies aimed at preventing truancy. These policies must inform students and parents about attendance benefits, describe consequences like academic impacts and potential truancy court referrals, and mandate schools to notify parents about absences via email/text or mail. Schools must also hold meetings with parents when students risk truancy and provide referrals to support services for students struggling to attend. The policy takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 393 limits how Texas political subdivisions (like cities, counties, school districts, and special districts) can issue debt to buy or lease property. It specifically prohibits issuing debt for tangible personal property (such as equipment) if the property’s useful life ends before the debt matures. For real property improvements, it restricts debt maturity to 120% of the property’s expected economic life. These changes aim to align debt terms with asset lifespans, preventing long-term debt for short-lived assets.

Maddy summarySB 1798 prohibits public Texas universities from using state funds - including scholarships, grants, or other financial aid - to support students who are not lawfully present in the United States under federal law. The bill requires university governing boards to certify annual compliance with this rule to the legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and mandates state audits to ensure institutions aren’t violating the restriction. It also establishes penalties, including loss of future funding increases, if violations aren’t corrected within 180 days. The law directly affects undocumented students seeking state-funded financial support at public colleges and universities. The bill does not change tuition rates but targets the use of state money for non-eligible students.

Maddy summaryHB 554 creates a new window for fireworks sales in Texas counties that approve it, specifically allowing sales from June 14 through June 19 (Juneteenth). This directly affects retail fireworks sellers in counties where commissioners courts have approved the sale period. The bill amends existing law to add this Juneteenth window to the list of authorized seasonal sale periods, alongside existing dates like Independence Day and July 4. It became effective immediately after the governor signed it on May 26, 2025.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 241 requires cities and counties to actively enforce public camping bans by implementing complaint systems for violations and reporting data to the attorney general annually. It prohibits local governments from discouraging enforcement of camping bans and mandates that they resolve complaints within 90 days, or face a state declaration of non-compliance. Non-compliant localities lose state tax funds until they act, with the attorney general or state police recovering enforcement costs from them. The bill also specifies that personal property must be preserved during arrests for camping violations, except for permanent structures like tents. These provisions apply specifically to public camping bans affecting homeless individuals on public property.