Sen. Mayes Middleton

Maddy summarySB 411 requires school board trustees, candidates for trustee, and judges/court personnel to complete mandatory training on open meetings laws. The bill mandates that training must cover legal requirements, procedures for open/closed meetings, quorum rules, notice protocols, and penalties for noncompliance. Providers must certify completion, and at least one free, accessible course must be available via video or similar medium. It directly affects Texas public officials involved in local governance and judicial operations.

Maddy summarySB 460 would prevent Texas state agencies, local governments, schools, and universities from enforcing or implementing policies from the United Nations or World Health Organization (WHO) without specific authorization from Texas law or a governor's executive order. It directly affects all public schools, universities, and state agencies by requiring explicit state-level permission before adopting UN or WHO guidelines. The bill creates two key provisions: one banning UN jurisdiction in Texas, and another specifically blocking enforcement of WHO health policies without state authorization. This legislation is currently pending in the State Affairs Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summarySB 461 requires local government officers and vendors to disclose certain financial relationships, such as investments, business connections, or family ties, that could create conflicts of interest. It defines key terms like "business relationship" (excluding regulated transactions or public-priced services) and "family member" (within third degree consanguinity). The disclosure rules apply only to events occurring on or after January 1, 2026, with prior events governed by existing law. This bill aims to increase transparency in local government dealings without altering substantive policies.

Maddy summarySB 389 creates the Anti-Human-Trafficking Intelligence Center within the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The bill establishes this center to coordinate law enforcement and government agencies responding to human trafficking, defined as offenses under Texas Penal Code Chapter 20A. Key provisions include requiring the department to enter agreements with law enforcement agencies for a chief intelligence coordinator (who may be a licensed peace officer) and mandating strict confidentiality for victim information collected under these agreements. The center aims to improve detection, prevention, and response to human trafficking through better information sharing and coordination among agencies.

Maddy summarySB 416 requires insurers in Texas to verify U.S. citizenship before issuing or renewing personal auto insurance policies. It mandates that applicants provide one of three documents: an unexpired U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, or official U.S. citizenship papers. The law applies only to policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas residents seeking personal auto insurance coverage by adding a citizenship verification step to the application process.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SB 516, would require Texas to observe daylight saving time year-round instead of switching to standard time in the fall. It amends the Texas Government Code to mandate this change for all parts of the state, including both central and mountain time zones. The bill states that if federal law later permits it, the change would take effect on September 1, 2025, pending congressional authorization. This policy directly affects all Texas residents by eliminating seasonal time changes. The bill does not change federal time zone laws but seeks to align Texas with year-round daylight saving time once federal approval is secured.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State Preservation Board to place a nativity scene on the Capitol grounds during at least December each year. It specifies that this display is not considered a monument subject to certain restrictions under existing law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 417 prevents certain local government officials from holding multiple offices simultaneously. It applies to elected or appointed officers of cities, counties, or other political subdivisions authorized to impose taxes or issue bonds (like mayors, city council members, or bond commissioners). The bill prohibits these officials from concurrently holding any other office covered by the same rule, requiring them to resign from violating positions by September 1, 2025. This change clarifies eligibility for local leaders managing public finances, aligning with existing state constitutional limits. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, after the required resignations.

Maddy summarySB 116 amends Texas law to create a specific statute of limitations for health care liability claims involving certain medical treatments for minors. It sets a deadline of the claimant's 30th birthday for lawsuits related to malpractice in providing puberty suppression drugs, cross-sex hormones, or gender reassignment surgeries to minors. This replaces the standard 10-year statute of repose under Section 74.251 for these specific claims. The bill applies only to claims where the minor was under treatment for gender transition at the time of the alleged malpractice, and only to causes of action accruing on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 474 requires a court to revoke a prosecuting attorney’s law license in Texas if it finds the attorney committed specific misconduct under existing law - such as adopting a policy that violates legal standards or allowing subordinates to act improperly. It directly affects prosecutors who face court findings of misconduct related to policy enforcement or supervision of staff. The bill mandates automatic license revocation as a consequence, separate from removal from office. This applies only to misconduct cases where proceedings began on or after September 1, 2025.