Sen. Mayes Middleton

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 428) honors Marie Flickinger, a Houston community activist and journalist who co-founded the South Belt-Ellington Leader newspaper, investigated toxic waste contamination at the Brio Superfund site, and served 30 years on the San Jacinto College Board of Trustees. It commemorates her civic contributions, including organizing community events and securing infrastructure improvements, following her passing in November 2024. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact and serves solely to recognize her legacy.

Maddy summarySB 1067 prohibits Texas public universities and their employees from soliciting or accepting gifts, grants, donations, or investments from certain foreign entities. It specifically bans these actions with governments, political parties, or companies headquartered in countries identified by U.S. intelligence as posing national security risks. The bill requires institutions or employees to return any money or valuables received in violation to the foreign source. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all public higher education institutions and their employees in Texas.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 819 establishes a new permit requirement for renewable energy facilities (wind or solar) with a capacity of 10 megawatts or more that connect to the power grid. It directly affects developers and operators of large-scale wind and solar projects, requiring them to apply for a commission permit before construction or significant expansion. Key provisions include submitting facility details, conducting environmental reviews with the Parks and Wildlife Department, holding public meetings within 25 miles of the site, and publishing meeting notices online. The bill does not apply to solar facilities within home-rule municipalities, and permits must be obtained before September 1, 2025, for existing facilities that expand or relocate significantly.

Maddy summarySB 707 would allow the Texas legislature to declare certain federal directives (like laws, executive orders, or agency rules) unconstitutional if they infringe on state powers under the Tenth Amendment or block Texas from protecting public health, safety, or welfare. If declared unconstitutional, the bill would prohibit state government officers and employees (including local officials and school staff) from enforcing or assisting in enforcing those directives. The process requires a concurrent resolution approved by legislative leadership (speaker or lieutenant governor) before a declaration can be made. This bill does not apply to federal directives activating Texas state military forces.

Maddy summarySB 1741 requires all Texas public universities to report foreign funding received from entities outside the U.S. annually, beginning September 2024. It prohibits institutions from accepting gifts, grants, or donations from the Chinese government or entities controlled by it. The bill also mandates that all university researchers complete annual training on identifying espionage risks, protecting intellectual property, and reporting suspicious activity. Universities must establish internal systems for staff and students to report potential espionage or theft. These requirements apply directly to every public institution of higher education in Texas.

Maddy summaryThis is a Senate Resolution (SR 416), not a bill with policy changes. It formally recognizes 19 interns who worked for Senator Judith Zaffirini's office during Texas' 89th Legislative Session (2025). The resolution commends them for their contributions to legislative research, constituent outreach, and administrative tasks, and expresses the Senate's appreciation for their dedication. It was adopted by the Texas Senate on April 22, 2025, and includes a copy of the resolution as a token of recognition. This is purely a ceremonial gesture with no legal effect or policy impact.

Maddy summarySB 2365 would require Texas public school districts and charter schools to adopt policies banning students from using personal wireless devices (like smartphones, tablets, or laptops not issued by the school) during class time. The bill allows exceptions for devices needed for individualized education programs (IEPs), documented medical needs, or health/safety requirements. School boards must implement these policies starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects all public school students in Texas during instructional periods, with limited exceptions for specific educational or safety needs.

Maddy summarySB 406 requires Texas birth certificates to list a person's "biological sex" as male or female based on sex organs, chromosomes, or endogenous profile at birth, as mandated in Health and Safety Code Sections 192.002(c-1) and 192.003(f). It prohibits changing the sex marker on birth certificates except in three specific cases: correcting clerical errors, completing information when biological sex wasn’t initially listed, or for intersex individuals (those with atypical sex characteristics at birth) after medical determination. The bill directly affects parents reporting births, local registrars issuing certificates, and individuals seeking to amend birth records. It does not allow changes to reflect gender identity but permits limited updates for medical clarity or correction of errors.

Maddy summarySB 779 would create a new legal chapter in Texas law to limit common law public nuisance lawsuits. It prohibits private parties or local governments from filing such claims if they involve: (1) government-authorized activities (like permits or regulations), (2) conduct already covered by existing statutes or enforcement, or (3) product-related issues (manufacturing, selling, or marketing). The bill also states that aggregating individual injuries cannot create a public nuisance claim. This law would only apply to cases filed after its effective date, which would be September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summarySJR 12 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a parent's right to direct their child's education in Texas. It would add Section 37 to the Texas Constitution, defining "parent" broadly to include natural parents, stepparents, adoptive parents, guardians, and legal custodians. The amendment guarantees specific rights: choosing public school options, selecting alternatives like private or homeschool, accessing school materials and records (including health records), and attending school meetings - without restriction based on disability. This is a procedural bill requiring voter approval in the November 2025 election.