Sen. Mayes Middleton

Maddy summaryHCR 141 is a Texas legislative resolution urging Congress to move NASA's headquarters to Houston. It does not change any laws or policies but formally requests Congress to consider relocating NASA's leadership to Houston, citing the city's historic role in space exploration (including the Johnson Space Center, mission control, and Apollo missions) and its current aerospace infrastructure. The resolution highlights Houston's advantages, such as lower costs, proximity to NASA facilities, and Texas' strong aerospace industry with over 2,000 related companies. Texas lawmakers will forward copies to Congress to be entered in the Congressional Record as a formal request.

Maddy summarySB 990 amends Texas law to impose enhanced penalties for specific murder cases. It targets offenders who commit murder under nine defined aggravating circumstances, including killing police/firefighters on duty, murdering during other serious crimes (like burglary or robbery), hiring hitmen, killing children under 15, or killing someone in retaliation for their judicial role. The bill does not change general murder penalties but increases punishment severity for these specific scenarios. It directly affects individuals convicted of murder meeting any of these listed conditions. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySB 2713 prohibits professional and trade associations (like bar associations or industry groups) from denying membership or services based on race, religion, sex, disability, national origin, or protected speech/assembly activities. It overrides any conflicting bylaws and directly affects both associations and individuals seeking membership. The bill creates a private legal remedy, allowing affected people to sue for damages or court orders if discrimination occurs, with courts able to award attorney fees to winning parties. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 27 modifies Texas education law to protect public school educators' rights and provide financial support. It requires salary reductions for unpaid leave to be calculated using annual salary divided by expected workdays (affecting teachers, counselors, and librarians), waives certification exam fees for first-time applicants in special education and bilingual programs, and prevents sanctions against educators who leave probationary contracts after the 45th day before school starts due to serious illness or spouse relocation. The bill directly impacts educators seeking certification and those on probationary contracts, while also directing the Texas Education Agency to cover exam fees for qualifying applicants. These changes aim to reduce financial barriers and provide clearer protections for educators during employment transitions.

Maddy summarySB 2533 requires all law schools operating in Texas at public or private institutions of higher education to maintain accreditation from an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (or its successor). This applies directly to law schools within Texas colleges and universities, mandating that their accreditation status aligns with federal standards. The bill adds this requirement to the Texas Education Code, specifying that accreditation must meet U.S. Department of Education criteria. It does not establish new accreditation standards but ensures existing law schools comply with recognized federal oversight. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, unless approved for immediate effect by a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summarySB 2530 amends Texas Insurance Code provisions affecting the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), which provides windstorm insurance in coastal areas. Key changes include: removing TWIA's obligation to pay insurance premium taxes (Section 1), banning TWIA from using funds to lobby for legislation with $10,000 fines for violations (Section 2), requiring headquarters to be located in specific coastal counties (Section 3), and establishing new funding mechanisms for disaster claim payments through public securities and member assessments (Sections 4-9). These provisions directly affect TWIA's financial operations, governance, and how it funds claims after hurricanes or other catastrophic events. The bill does not alter coverage for policyholders but changes TWIA's internal financial management and regulatory compliance.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to exempt up to $125,000 of the market value of business-used tangible personal property (like equipment or vehicles) from property tax. It would directly affect business owners who hold such property for income generation, such as small business operators or farmers. The amendment would revise the state constitution to authorize this specific exemption amount, replacing the current exemption structure. If approved by voters in November 2025, this would become a permanent constitutional provision enabling future legislation to implement the tax break. The bill is now headed to the November ballot after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryThis bill would replace Texas' single Insurance Commissioner position with a three-member Commission. It requires the governor to appoint three members with specific expertise in insurance regulation, administration, and consumer advocacy. The Commission would serve as the department's governing body, with a presiding officer appointed by the governor for a two-year term. These changes would directly affect how the Texas Department of Insurance is administered and regulated.

Maddy summaryHB 3466 amends Texas law to clarify which consumer transactions are exempt from standard cancellation rules under the Business & Commerce Code. It specifically exempts six types of transactions: farm equipment purchases, insurance sales regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance, sales under existing revolving charge accounts, real estate transactions involving licensed professionals, service contracts regulated under Occupations Code Chapter 1304, and services with written cancellation rights. The bill does not create new consumer protections but defines boundaries for existing cancellation rules. It applies only to transactions occurring on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill prohibits most state agencies, courts, and the legislature from implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that influence hiring or workforce composition based on race, sex, or ethnicity. It bans offices conducting trainings or programs related to concepts like "systemic oppression," "anti-racism," or "gender theory" unless specifically approved by an attorney general for legal compliance. The law exempts universities and initiatives solely designed to meet federal or state legal requirements. It defines prohibited activities to prevent "differential treatment" or "special benefits" based on protected characteristics.