Sen. Mayes Middleton

Maddy summarySB 1800 creates a new criminal offense for abandoning residents of assisted living facilities during state or local disaster declarations. It defines "abandon" as leaving a resident without reasonable care when no similarly situated person would do so. Facility operators or employees who abandon residents during such disasters face penalties: a state jail felony for general cases, escalating to third-degree felony for bodily injury, second-degree for serious injury, and first-degree felony if death results. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 1715 creates a franchise tax exemption for certain space industry businesses operating in Texas. It defines "qualified space companies" as entities primarily engaged in researching, developing, manufacturing, testing, or launching satellites, spacecraft, or space vehicles within the state. The exemption applies only to franchise tax reports due on or after January 1, 2026, and does not affect existing tax obligations. This policy change directly benefits Texas-based space technology firms by reducing their state business tax burden for qualifying activities.

Maddy summarySB 1813 amends Texas Local Government Code to allow county judges in specific large or coastal counties to delegate certain duties to county commissioners. It applies only to counties with populations over 1.5 million, or counties with 350,000-370,000 residents adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico and next to a county with over 3.3 million people. The bill updates the code to define these eligibility criteria and formalizes the delegation process. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects county governance structures in those designated counties.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 258 is a commemorative measure honoring the late U.S. Congressman Sylvester Turner of Houston, who died on March 5, 2025. The resolution recognizes his career as a Texas state legislator, mayor of Houston, and U.S. Congressman, highlighting his dedication to public service in Houston's Acres Homes neighborhood and his work on health care, education, and community resilience. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups, as it is a symbolic tribute to his legacy.

Maddy summarySB 1793 requires the Texas comptroller of public accounts to submit an annual report to the legislature by December 31 each year. The report must measure how veteran-owned businesses impact the state's economy and include estimates of employed/unemployed veterans and the number of veteran-owned businesses in Texas. This bill directly affects the comptroller's office, mandating specific data collection on veteran employment and business ownership. The report will provide lawmakers with annual data to assess veteran workforce participation, but the bill itself creates no new benefits or requirements for veterans. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1794 amends Texas law to allow certain interlocutory appeals (appeals before final judgment) when political subdivisions (like cities, counties, or their officers) are involved in civil cases. It specifically permits appeals from 17 types of court orders, including denials of immunity motions, denials of class certification, temporary injunction rulings, and decisions on governmental immunity. This change directly affects political subdivisions and their legal representatives by giving them earlier opportunities to challenge certain rulings without waiting for trial completion. The bill does not change substantive law but alters procedural access to appellate review for these specific scenarios.

Maddy summarySB 1795 changes how Texas independent school districts fill vacancies on their boards of trustees. It prohibits boards from appointing replacements until the next regular election, requiring them to either hold a special election (following standard election rules) or wait for the next general election. Vacancies must be filled within 18 months of occurring. Property owners within the district who pay property taxes can now sue the board for violations and recover legal fees, without needing to exhaust administrative appeals first.

Maddy summarySB 1796 clarifies how Texas courts interpret state laws by changing statutory construction rules. It prohibits courts from considering legislative intent - such as lawmaker statements, committee reports, or debate comments - when interpreting statutes, requiring courts to focus solely on the plain text. The bill also clarifies that "shall" creates a mandatory duty (not discretion) and "must" creates a requirement or condition. These changes apply to all Texas courts interpreting state laws, directly affecting how judges resolve legal disputes. The bill makes these interpretation rules explicit in the Government Code without creating new programs or directly impacting specific groups.

Maddy summarySB 1694 requires public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed after December 1, 2024, that are funded by public grants or state rebate programs to be powered exclusively by renewable energy sources. It applies only to stations available to the public, not primarily for private use, and mandates they use widely compatible charging connectors. The bill also requires EV supply providers to maintain equipment in compliance with these renewable energy standards. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate implementation.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 1696 requires that birth certificates issued in Texas include a person's biological sex - determined by sex organs, chromosomes, or endogenous profile - listed as either male or female. It directly affects all newborns in Texas and parents/guardians who file birth certificates, mandating that biological sex be recorded unless a physician determines a child has atypical or ambiguous sex characteristics at birth. The bill allows for later amendments to birth certificates once a child's sex is determined, but prohibits changing the recorded sex except for correcting clerical errors or completing initial omissions. This legislation specifically targets birth certificate documentation under Texas Health and Safety Code sections 192.002, 192.003, and 192.011.