Sen. Mayes Middleton

Maddy summarySJR 66 proposes a constitutional amendment to dedicate specific tax revenues to Texas' water fund. It would require the state comptroller to deposit excess sales tax revenue (above $46.5 billion annually, capped at $500 million) and the first $500 million of insurance premium tax revenue into the Texas Water Fund each year. The amendment mandates that 25% of initial fund allocations and 80% of pre-2043 deposits go exclusively to the "New Water Supply for Texas Fund," which supports water infrastructure projects. This proposal expires August 31, 2043, and requires voter approval in the November 2025 election. It directly affects how Texas allocates tax revenue for water infrastructure planning and development.

Maddy summarySB 1382 sets a new requirement for school districts seeking to use the permanent school fund to guarantee their bond debt. It prohibits the commissioner from approving such guarantees if a district's total bond debt exceeds $10,000 per enrolled student. This rule applies only to bonds issued on or after September 1, 2025, with existing bonds governed by prior law. The bill directly affects school districts attempting to secure state-backed bond guarantees for new debt.

Maddy summarySB 453 requires Texas public high schools to include a half-credit "modern conflicts" course in social studies curriculum for all students. This course must cover specific historical topics related to Russia, including the Bolshevik Revolution, Chernobyl, Soviet government structure, the collapse of the Soviet Union (with reference to 1989 revolutions and Reagan's speeches), Gorbachev's economic reforms, the Afghanistan invasion, and relevant political ideologies. The bill amends education code to mandate these content requirements under Section 28.0122. It directly affects all public high school students in Texas by adding this specific course to graduation requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1381 proposes creating a state program to use decommissioned wind turbine blades for constructing border barriers along the Texas-Mexico border. The bill requires the Texas border security commission to establish rules for collecting, transporting, and storing donated blades, with a fee authorized to cover these costs. Wind turbine operators would be mandated to ship permanently decommissioned blades to designated locations for border construction. The bill would take effect September 1, 2025, if passed. It directly affects the border commission, wind energy operators, and state border infrastructure planning.

Maddy summarySB 1523 limits out-of-school suspensions for Texas public school students, particularly for those in grades below three and homeless students. It restricts out-of-school suspensions to no more than three days and prohibits them for elementary students unless they engage in specific serious conduct like weapon possession, threats to classroom safety, violent acts, or drug/alcohol use on school property or at school events. The bill also requires school districts to coordinate with homeless education liaisons to identify alternatives to out-of-school suspensions for homeless students, who cannot be suspended out-of-school for general misconduct. These changes apply starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 242 amends Texas Penal Code sections 43.24 and 43.25 to add specific affirmative defenses for criminal prosecutions involving obscene material or conduct harmful to children. It allows defendants to argue that material was distributed for scientific, educational, governmental, or similar justifications (Section 43.24(c)), or that conduct involved a spouse of the child, served an educational/medical purpose, or involved a defendant no more than two years older than the child (Section 43.25(f)). These defenses apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior offenses governed by existing law. The bill directly affects individuals prosecuted under these sections for distributing material or engaging in conduct involving minors. It creates concrete legal pathways for defendants to challenge prosecutions based on specific justifications.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 209) formally recognizes March 6, 2025, as "Galveston County Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It celebrates the county's history, cultural significance (including Juneteenth's origins in Galveston), and contributions to Texas. The resolution invites Galveston County residents and officials to gather at the Capitol for recognition. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy impact - it solely serves to honor the county's heritage.

Maddy summarySB 1291 clarifies who can legally challenge government compliance with open meetings and public records laws. It allows any "interested person," including news media members, to file a lawsuit (declaratory judgment) to verify if a government body followed open meetings rules or to interpret those rules when the government takes a position. Similarly, requesters of public records or the state attorney general can sue to confirm if a government agency properly handled a records request, including disputes over cost estimates or attorney general decisions. The bill also ensures courts can award attorney fees to winning parties under existing law. This bill directly affects citizens, journalists, and government agencies interacting with Texas' open government laws.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 208) passed by the Texas Senate to formally recognize the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) for its 50th anniversary in 2024. It commemorates UHCL's founding in 1971, its growth from a small campus to serving over 7,700 students across 90+ programs, and its community contributions like the Environmental Institute of Houston and Hispanic-Serving Institution designation. The resolution has no policy impact or funding provisions - it simply expresses the Senate's "high regard" for UHCL through a formal written commendation. The Senate approved it unanimously on March 5, 2025, and will provide UHCL with an official copy.

Maddy summarySB 1859 amends Texas law to clarify definitions for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. The bill establishes specific regulatory terms in the Occupations Code, such as defining "professional nursing" and the role of the Texas Board of Nursing. While the bill title references payment provisions for APRNs in government employee health plans, the provided text only includes the definitions section and does not detail payment mechanisms. This summary is based solely on the regulatory definitions contained in the bill text.