Sen. Mayes Middleton

Maddy summarySB 390 would amend Texas law to include veteran-owned small businesses certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration as "historically underutilized businesses" (HUBs) for state contracting purposes. This change would allow veteran-owned businesses meeting SBA certification standards to qualify for state contracting programs designed to support underutilized businesses. Currently, HUB status requires ownership by economically disadvantaged persons, but this bill expands eligibility to include certified veteran-owned businesses. The bill would take effect September 1, 2025, if enacted.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 462) formally honors U.S. Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanic for his service as an opticalman aboard the USS Vulcan during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. It recognizes his role in maintaining critical navigation equipment for ships enforcing the U.S. naval quarantine around Cuba. The Texas Senate adopted the resolution on April 29, 2025, to commend Urbanic's service and present him with an official copy as a gesture of appreciation. (Note: This is a commemorative resolution, not a law affecting policy or funding.)

Maddy summarySB 1717 requires Texas state agencies and lawmakers to use "Gulf of America" instead of "Gulf of Mexico" in all new statutes, resolutions, agency rules, and official publications. It amends multiple state codes (including Government, Agriculture, and Civil Practice codes) to replace the current terminology with the new phrase in all future legal references. This is a purely procedural change affecting only new state documents, not existing laws or geographic boundaries. The bill does not alter any physical geography or policy, only the language used in official state materials.

Maddy summarySB 1832 allows parents of students victimized by public school employees to choose between transferring their child to another public school campus or receiving funding for private school attendance. It applies to students whose school employees were convicted of offenses against them, placed on deferred adjudication for such offenses, or reported for misconduct under specific Texas laws. Parents may elect either option under Section 38.551, with the program ending when the student graduates high school or loses public school eligibility. The bill establishes clear eligibility criteria and administrative procedures for school districts to implement these choices.

Maddy summarySB 2594 requires municipalities with populations between 900,000 and 2 million to contract with nonprofit management organizations for supplemental services in their largest-budget downtown public improvement districts (defined as districts in the central business area with the highest operating budget as of January 1, 2025). The bill makes these "affected districts" permanently in existence, preventing dissolution under normal procedures and requiring municipalities to enter binding contracts with designated nonprofits. These management organizations gain governmental body status under transparency laws and must be governed by a seven-member board. The law directly affects downtown improvement districts in major Texas cities like Dallas and Houston, mandating structured oversight of public safety and maintenance services.

Maddy summarySB 240, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, requires public schools, government buildings, and facilities like restrooms, locker rooms, and shelters to designate and restrict access based on biological sex as defined by birth certificate and physical characteristics. It prohibits facilities from allowing individuals to use spaces designated for a biological sex different from their own, with exceptions for young children (under 10), ADA accommodations, or emergency assistance. Violations carry civil penalties of $5,000 for first offenses and $25,000 for repeat violations, and citizens can file complaints with the attorney general after providing 3 days’ notice to the facility. The law directly affects state and local government entities managing public facilities, including schools, shelters, and correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes October 2025 as Rett Syndrome Awareness Month in Texas. It encourages all Texans to learn about Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic neurological disorder that primarily affects females and causes developmental regression, loss of motor skills, speech, and repetitive hand movements. The resolution highlights ongoing research efforts and the need for support for individuals with the condition and their families. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Maddy summarySB 1917 requires motor vehicle manufacturers and distributors to fairly reimburse franchised dealers for warranty work, recalls, software updates ("over-the-air"), and vehicle preparation/delivery. It mandates that reimbursement rates cannot be lower than what dealers charge retail customers for similar non-warranty services, using a specific formula based on the dealer's average labor rate over six months (excluding routine maintenance, tires, goodwill repairs, and other specified items). The bill directly affects dealers and manufacturers by setting clear compensation standards and requiring manufacturers to share their warranty/recall requirements with the state. It aims to prevent underpayment for essential dealer services while defining key terms like "routine maintenance" and "goodwill repair" in the law. The bill is currently pending in the Business & Commerce committee.

Maddy summarySB 14, titled the Regulatory Reform and Efficiency Act, creates the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office within the governor's office to streamline how state agencies develop and review regulations. The office will help agencies identify unnecessary rules, reduce costs for businesses and individuals, and establish a public online portal for searching regulatory information. This bill directly affects state agencies that create regulations and the public who interact with those regulations. The new office will operate until 2037 unless extended under the Sunset Act, with its work focused on improving regulatory efficiency and transparency.

Maddy summarySB 1791 requires auto insurers in Texas to make at least five attempts to contact a policyholder within 45 days of a third party filing a liability claim against them. If the insurer cannot reach the policyholder during that period, the insurer must pay the claim directly to the third party and decline to renew the policy. This applies to personal auto insurance policies delivered or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The bill aims to ensure claims are processed promptly when insureds are unresponsive, directly affecting policyholders who fail to communicate and third-party claimants seeking resolution.