Sen. Mayes Middleton

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals to submit proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must provide a copy of specific documents, such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate, with their voter registration application. If initial proof is not provided, voter registrars must attempt to verify citizenship using various databases. If citizenship cannot be verified or proof is not ultimately provided, the applicant will only be eligible to vote a limited federal ballot. The bill also creates a state jail felony offense for registrars who knowingly fail to reject applications that do not meet these new requirements.

Maddy summaryHCR 107 is a ceremonial resolution designating the Texas Almanac as Texas' official State Book. It recognizes the Almanac's 170-year history as a reference resource covering Texas history, government, and culture, dating back to its 1857 publication. The resolution, passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the governor on May 24, 2025, has no legal effect beyond this symbolic designation. It does not create new laws, alter funding, or impact any specific group or policy.

Maddy summaryHCR 50 designates Galveston as Texas' official Mardi Gras Capital for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes Galveston's historical Mardi Gras celebrations, which began in 1867 and evolved into a major annual event spanning two weeks before Lent. The designation, effective until 2035, formally acknowledges Galveston's role in preserving this cultural tradition through groups like the Knights of Momus and the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce. As a concurrent resolution (not a law with funding or regulations), it has no direct policy impact beyond this ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryHCR 6 designates Galveston, Texas, as the state's official Juneteenth Capital for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes Galveston's historical role as the site where Union forces announced the end of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865, under General Order No. 3. The designation, authorized under Section 391.003(e) of the Texas Government Code, does not create new programs or funding but formally honors the city's significance in Juneteenth's origin story. It follows Texas becoming the first state to make Juneteenth a holiday in 1979 and the federal recognition of Juneteenth National Independence Day in 2021.

Maddy summarySB 511 prohibits state and local government employees from distributing voter registration forms to people who did not request them. It also bans using public funds to help others distribute such forms. Political parties and candidates may still distribute these forms unsolicited, but government employees violating these rules face a Class A misdemeanor charge. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2880, titled the Women and Child Protection Act, creates a new legal framework for regulating abortion-inducing drugs in Texas. It authorizes private civil lawsuits against individuals or entities that distribute abortion-inducing drugs for elective abortions, while explicitly exempting internet service providers, search engines, and cloud service providers from liability. The bill defines key terms like "elective abortion" (an abortion not performed in response to a medical emergency) and "abortion-inducing drug" to clarify the scope of liability. It establishes Chapter 171A in the Health and Safety Code to enforce these provisions and harmonize related laws. The legislation directly affects distributors of abortion-inducing drugs and those providing information about them online, with potential civil liability for violating its provisions.

Maddy summarySB 1073 prevents Texas licensing authorities from imposing rules or penalties that discriminate against or burden applicants or licensed attorneys based on sincerely held religious beliefs, free speech (including religious or political views), religious organization membership, or freedom of association. It prohibits policies that limit license eligibility or renewal due to these protected rights, while allowing exceptions for rules strictly necessary to serve a compelling government purpose or address willful bias in legal proceedings. The bill directly affects law license applicants and holders in Texas by ensuring their constitutional rights cannot be infringed through licensing decisions. Violations can be challenged in administrative or court proceedings, though this defense cannot be used in cases involving sexual misconduct allegations or criminal prosecutions.

Maddy summarySB 1396 prohibits Texas public school districts and charter schools from adopting or using national sex education standards, such as those developed by the Future of Sex Education Initiative, in human sexuality or health curricula. The bill amends education code to require that any course materials on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases must emphasize abstinence as the preferred choice for unmarried students, dedicate more instructional time to abstinence than other topics, and teach contraception using real-world effectiveness rates instead of laboratory rates. School boards must select these materials with input from local health advisory councils, and the law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects curriculum decisions in all Texas public schools offering health education.

Maddy summarySB 2532 modifies how certain coastal municipalities calculate their voter-approval tax rate. It specifically affects eligible coastal municipalities that receive hotel occupancy tax revenue and park board funds, as defined in the bill. The key change introduces a "misspent public money rate" - calculated by dividing misspent funds (money spent outside authorized uses or received from park boards) by the municipality's total taxable property value. This rate is then subtracted from the standard voter-approval tax rate formula for these municipalities, potentially lowering the required tax rate. The bill does not change tax collections but adjusts the calculation method for eligible coastal communities.

Maddy summaryHJR 34 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to create a property tax exemption for landowners in counties bordering Mexico. The exemption would apply specifically to the increased market value of real property resulting from border security infrastructure (like barriers or roads) and related improvements. If approved by voters in November 2025, this would let the legislature establish rules for qualifying properties and define "border security infrastructure." The change would directly affect property owners in border counties whose land value rises due to such projects. It does not exempt all property, only the value increase tied to border security construction.