Sen. Mayes Middleton

Maddy summarySB 2711 requires all Texas governmental bodies subject to public information laws to annually notify the Attorney General, by October 1, of their designated mailing and email addresses for receiving public records requests. The Attorney General must then create and maintain a public online database of these addresses on their website. This bill directly affects all local and state government entities that handle public information requests, streamlining how citizens locate official contact points. The bill takes effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote in both chambers, or September 1, 2025, if not.

Maddy summarySB 2599 amends Texas Local Government Code Section 501.074 to require development corporations to follow Chapter 252 purchasing procedures. This specifically allows them to use the reverse auction method defined in Government Code Section 2155.062(d) for procurement. The bill directly affects Texas development corporations managing public projects, changing how they purchase goods and services. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2716 sets new rules for challenging voter registration in Texas. It requires that any challenge must be based solely on the challenger's personal knowledge (direct observation) or information from publicly available records like property deeds or court filings - not hearsay or speculation. Challengers must submit a written statement with specific grounds and an affidavit under penalty of perjury confirming the basis of their claim. This applies to any registered voter in the county seeking to challenge another voter's registration. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2597 names a specific segment of Farm-to-Market Road 521 in Brazoria County as the "Clarence 'BB' Sasser Medal of Honor Highway" to honor a veteran who received the Medal of Honor. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers along the highway with this designation and relevant information. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes beyond the road naming and signage.

Maddy summarySB 2598 requires property owners to provide the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with 90 days' notice before constructing structures over 500 feet tall in specific coastal counties (those with under 500,000 residents bordering the Gulf of Mexico and containing a National Wildlife Refuge, or adjacent counties). The notice must include details allowing the department to evaluate potential wildlife impacts. If the department determines construction would materially damage wildlife, it may seek a court injunction to halt building within 90 days of receiving notice. If the department takes no action within that period, construction may proceed. This bill directly affects developers in targeted coastal counties and takes effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summarySB 2573 requires vision care plan issuers in Texas to provide an online application process for optometrists and therapeutic optometrists to join their networks. The bill mandates that issuers must send a participating provider contract with reimbursement details within 5 business days of receiving a complete application and add the provider to the network within 20 business days of contract acceptance. It also requires issuers to allow optometrists to participate fully in all vision plans and vision panels covered under their license, without imposing additional restrictions. This bill directly affects optometrists seeking to provide vision care through managed plans and vision plan issuers operating in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 2645 limits how much volunteer and auxiliary firefighters in Texas can be compensated annually. It prohibits fire departments from paying these volunteers more than 20% of the total compensation paid to full-time firefighters in the adjacent area during a single calendar year. The bill directly affects volunteer firefighters who receive any compensation, ensuring their pay remains below the threshold set by local full-time firefighter salaries. This amendment to the Government Code takes effect on September 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2576 repeals a requirement in Texas law that forced school districts to reduce their local revenue when it exceeded state funding entitlements. This change directly affects Texas public school districts, particularly those with home-rule status, by removing a specific provision related to revenue management under Chapter 49 of the Education Code. The bill amends Section 12.013(b) of the Education Code to delete the reference to "options for local revenue levels in excess of entitlement." This is a procedural policy change that eliminates a prior administrative requirement for school districts regarding their budgeting flexibility.

Maddy summarySB 2712 amends Texas insurance law to increase the thresholds for exemptions from certain property and casualty insurance policy requirements. It exempts large risks meeting one of three criteria: insured property values of $20 million or more, annual gross revenues of $100 million or more, or annual premiums of $100,000+ for property/liability insurance or $250,000+ for multiperil insurance. These changes apply only to policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, with existing policies governed by prior law. The bill directly affects large businesses and insurers by reducing regulatory requirements for high-value commercial coverage.

Maddy summarySB 2643 requires Texas public high schools to include specific civics content in their government curriculum starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates that students learn about statewide and local government officials (including county, city, and state roles), Texas voting processes and election laws, eligibility requirements to run for office, Robert's Rules of Order, and who represents them at each government level. The bill directly affects all Texas public high school students and their curriculum requirements. This is a substantive policy change to state education standards, not a procedural measure.