Sen. Mayes Middleton

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 66) designates February 11, 2025, as "University of Houston Day" to recognize the institution's contributions. It acknowledges the university's role in education (46,600+ students, 281 programs), research ($230M annual expenditures), health care (450,000+ patient care hours), and athletics (Big 12 Conference sports). As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect but formally honors the university's impact on Texas. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 11, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 824 amends Texas' public information law (Government Code Chapter 552) to require government bodies to provide written notices within 10 business days when withholding information (specifying the legal basis) or having no responsive data. It prohibits charging fees for certain public records, including those already available online, when production is delayed beyond 10 days, or when the attorney general mandates disclosure. For large-volume requests, the bill mandates specific timelines for disclosing information in batches, with required advance notices to requesters. The law also updates rules for awarding attorney fees in public records lawsuits where requesters prevail.

Maddy summarySB 755 creates a temporary sales tax holiday for firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories in Texas. It exempts these items from state sales and use taxes during a specific annual window: from 12:01 a.m. on the second-to-last Friday in February through 11:59 p.m. on the following Sunday. The exemption applies only to purchases made during this limited period, directly affecting consumers and retailers selling these items within that timeframe. The bill defines "firearm" and "ammunition" using federal standards and takes effect September 1, 2025, with the first holiday occurring in February 2026.

Maddy summarySB 753 prohibits physicians and healthcare providers in Texas from performing or facilitating certain gender transition-related procedures or treatments for minors. Specifically, it bans sterilization surgeries (like hysterectomies or orchiectomies), mastectomies, puberty-blocking drugs, and supraphysiologic hormone treatments, as well as referrals to out-of-state providers for these services. Violations would be classified as a third-degree felony, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects minors seeking gender-affirming care and the healthcare providers who offer such services within Texas.

Maddy summarySB 822 defines "cell-cultured protein" in Texas law as food derived from animal cells grown in a lab, clarifying that existing food safety regulations apply to this product type. The bill does not create new prohibitions but explicitly includes cell-cultured protein under current laws against adulterated or misbranded food. It directly affects producers, processors, and sellers of cell-cultured meat products within Texas, requiring them to comply with existing labeling and safety standards. The key mechanism is a new definition added to the Health and Safety Code, ensuring these products fall under established regulatory frameworks. This is a technical clarification, not a new restriction on the product itself.

Maddy summarySB 404 requires Texas local governments (such as cities and counties) to invest public funds only in investment pools managed by the state comptroller or the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company. It mandates that local governments divest all funds from pools not managed by these entities within 180 days (with at least 50% removed by then) and fully divest within 360 days of discovery. Local governments may delay divestment only if they provide documented justification showing potential financial loss, and must submit a report to the legislature, attorney general, and comptroller explaining the delay. The bill directly affects all local governments using investment pools for public funds, setting clear timelines for compliance with state-managed investment options.

Maddy summarySB 692 amends Texas law to formally claim the state's exemption from the federal Uniform Time Act of 1966 regarding daylight saving time (DST). This exemption allows Texas to maintain its current timekeeping practices without following federal rules that require switching clocks for DST. The bill applies to all Texans, covering both the Central Standard Time and Mountain Standard Time zones within the state. It takes effect November 3, 2025, aligning with the end of DST for that year. The legislation does not change Texas' current time zone schedule but asserts the state's legal authority to disregard federal DST requirements.

Maddy summarySB 478 is a procedural bill that renames the "basic allotment" under Texas' Foundation School Program to the "initial allotment" in multiple sections of the Education Code. It does not change funding formulas, calculations, or policy - only updates terminology used in legal references. The bill affects how school funding is referenced in state law, including provisions for charter schools, teacher salaries, adult education programs, and student allotments. This change applies to all Texas public school districts and entities using the Foundation School Program funding structure.

Maddy summarySB 477 amends Texas property tax law to limit annual increases in the appraised value of a primary residence homestead (a home that qualifies for the homestead exemption) for property tax purposes. The bill caps annual increases at 10% of the prior year's appraised value plus that value, or the market value from the first year the homestead exemption was claimed - whichever is lower. New homeowners who purchased their home as a bona fide purchaser may have their property's appraised value set to the purchase price. Homeowners must apply with their local appraisal district to qualify for this limitation, which directly affects Texas residents claiming the homestead exemption.

Maddy summarySB 479 amends Texas law governing school district property value studies conducted by the comptroller of public accounts. It defines "eligible school district" based on specific criteria, including having valid local values in prior studies and meeting sampling requirements (requiring at least 80% of the margin of error threshold). The bill reduces the allowable margin of error for determining valid local values from 10% to 5% unless a larger margin is necessary due to sample size constraints. This directly affects school districts seeking to use their local property valuations for tax purposes instead of the state-determined value.