Sen. Mayes Middleton

Maddy summaryHB 2440 prohibits state agencies and Texas's air quality state implementation plan from restricting the sale, use, or ownership of motor vehicles based on their energy source (e.g., gasoline, electric, or other power types). It specifically bans restrictions on purchasing any vehicle, including those powered by engines, and prevents agencies from banning vehicles by fuel type. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects vehicle owners, dealers, and state regulatory bodies. This policy change removes potential barriers for all vehicle types under air quality regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2970 amends Texas law governing the Gulf Coast Protection District's operations. It changes how the district's presiding officer is selected - requiring the governor to appoint from among directors (instead of election) with a two-term limit - and adds a requirement that district projects must not disrupt navigation safety or two-way traffic in Harris County ports, as defined by transportation rules. The bill directly affects the district's governing board and port operations in Harris County. These changes take effect immediately upon the governor's signature, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summarySB 38 amends Texas Property Code to clarify procedures for eviction lawsuits involving tenants who lack legal right to occupy property. It specifies that justice courts must handle eviction cases in the precinct where the property is located, with limited circumstances allowing case transfers to adjacent precincts (e.g., if service delays occur or trials cannot be scheduled within 21 days). The bill prohibits courts from charging additional filing or service fees when transferring cases and explicitly states that eviction courts cannot rule on property title disputes or allow separate claims against third parties. This affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings by streamlining court processes and limiting judicial overreach.

Maddy summaryHB 2517 exempts the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and Texas FAIR Plan Association from paying premium and maintenance taxes under Texas law. The bill amends two sections of the Insurance Code to explicitly exclude these two associations from tax requirements that apply to other insurers. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not affect taxes owed before 2023. The bill directly impacts these two state-assisted insurance programs, which provide coverage for windstorm and high-risk properties.

Maddy summaryHB 3711 requires law enforcement agencies to simultaneously send reports of open meetings violations (under Chapter 551, Government Code) to both district prosecutors and the Attorney General's Open Records Division. It allows prosecutors to request the Open Records Division's assistance in investigating such violations and mandates that agencies provide non-public investigation details upon request. The bill formalizes coordination between law enforcement, prosecutors, and the Attorney General's office for handling open meetings offenses. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the Attorney General's Open Records Division. The policy change streamlines investigative processes for government transparency violations without altering the definition of offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 4214 requires all Texas governmental bodies to annually report their official mailing and email addresses for public information requests to the Attorney General by October 1 each year. The Attorney General must then create and maintain a publicly accessible online database of these addresses on their website. This bill directly affects all state and local government entities that handle public records requests under Texas public information law. It takes effect immediately upon the Governor's signature (June 20, 2025), streamlining how the public finds government contact points for information requests.

Maddy summarySB 7 requires the Texas Water Development Board to coordinate planning for water infrastructure projects to maximize use of existing utility corridors and minimize land acquisition through eminent domain. It mandates the Board to develop standardized specifications for water infrastructure, ensure different water systems can connect and operate together, and recommend building extra capacity during construction to accommodate future projects. The bill directly affects water project developers, utilities, and local governments working with the Board on infrastructure planning and financing. Key provisions include creating interconnectivity standards and facilitating collaboration between project sponsors and transportation/utility entities.

Maddy summarySB 2986 allows public school districts and institutions of higher education in Texas to permit religious organizations to use their facilities for worship, services, or assemblies under specific conditions. It requires that such use must not interfere with the institution's educational mission, the religious group must pay fair market value for facilities (or have it waived), and the group must cover liability for damages. The bill also prohibits state agencies or school districts from penalizing schools for allowing this use or denying funding based on such decisions. Schools and colleges retain the right to choose not to allow religious groups to use their facilities. The law becomes effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 13 requires Texas school districts to provide parents with access to records about their child's school library materials, including books or digital resources checked out. It mandates that school libraries prohibit the acquisition of materials rated "sexually explicit" by vendors or deemed "harmful" under Texas law, and restricts access to content described as "pervasively vulgar" or "educationally unsuitable." The bill also creates local school library advisory councils to help develop library policies. These changes directly affect parents, school districts, and students by expanding parental oversight of library resources and setting new standards for library collections. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 127 creates the Higher Education Research Security Council to protect universities from foreign espionage risks. The council, made up of security officers from university systems and select research institutions, will identify best practices for securing academic research while mitigating threats from foreign adversaries. It directly affects public and private research-focused universities in Texas, particularly those designated as "tier one" institutions. The bill establishes this council as a formal body to coordinate security efforts across higher education, without changing existing trade secret laws. The council’s role is limited to advising institutions on security protocols, not enforcing new penalties.