Sen. Tan Parker

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 695 returns Senate Bill 293 to the House of Representatives for further consideration. The resolution specifies that the Senate concurs in all House amendments except Section 23 (which the Senate ruled non-germane), and instead proposes substituting Section 20 of the Senate version - which modifies how judicial retirement annuities are calculated for judges retiring before September 1, 2025. The resolution requests the House adopt this change to finalize the bill. This procedural step resolves a disagreement over one section of the bill before it advances to final passage.

Maddy summaryHB 4233 requires digital asset service providers (like cryptocurrency exchanges) operating in Texas to provide customers with quarterly reports showing their outstanding liabilities and digital assets held in custody. It also mandates that providers allow auditors to access anonymized customer data at any time. The bill amends Texas Finance Code sections 160.004 and 160.005 to establish these reporting and auditing rules, repealing prior sections (160.004(d)-(f)). These requirements apply to all Texas-based providers seeking or maintaining money transmission licenses and take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1535 amends the governance structure of the Trinity River Authority of Texas, a water management agency. It specifies that the Authority will undergo Sunset Review every 12 years starting in 2025 (instead of being subject to abolition) and adjusts the board composition to 25 directors appointed by the Governor from specific Texas counties and an "Area-at-Large." The bill also clarifies grounds for removing board members, though the exact criteria aren't detailed in the provided text. This law directly affects the Authority's 25-member board and the Texas counties represented on it, with changes taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 198, known as the Wade Cannon Act, requires Texas cities and counties that employ firefighters to provide free occupational cancer screenings starting in a firefighter's fifth year of service, with annual screenings thereafter. The screenings must include specific tests: urine, pulmonary function, electrocardiogram, infectious disease screening, breast cancer screening, blood tests, and chest x-rays (limited to once every five years). Political subdivisions may exempt themselves if they already offer annual occupational medical exams meeting standards set by the National Fire Protection Association and approved by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. The law takes effect June 1, 2026, directly affecting all Texas firefighters employed by local governments.

Maddy summaryHB 4 restricts Texas public school districts and campuses from obtaining exemptions or waivers for specific requirements, including graduation standards, school accountability measures under Chapters 39 and 39A, health and safety rules, and programs for special education and bilingual students. The bill explicitly prohibits waivers for federal mandates, essential knowledge/skills, class size limits (except as allowed by law), extracurricular activities, and other key areas listed in the legislation. It also changes the appeal process for challenges to the commissioner's decisions, requiring appeals to be filed in Travis County district court with specific procedural steps. This bill directly affects school districts, the Texas Education Agency, and individuals seeking to challenge educational decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 3320 creates a self-insurance pool specifically for qualifying religious institutions in Texas, allowing them to cover property and casualty risks without traditional insurance. It directly affects nonprofit religious organizations (including churches, denominations, and 501(c)(3) entities) that join the pool through formal agreements. The bill establishes administrative rules, authorizes fees to fund the pool, and includes penalties for noncompliance, while clarifying the pool is not considered "insurance" under Texas law. Key provisions define terms like "member," "pool coverage," and "pool creation agreement" to govern participation and financial obligations. This framework replaces traditional insurance requirements for eligible religious groups with a self-funded system managed by a dedicated board.

Maddy summarySB 3029 allows the Far North Fort Worth Municipal Utility District No. 1 (serving Tarrant and Wise Counties) to establish specific service areas - potentially noncontiguous tracts - and impose local taxes or issue bonds to fund improvements (like water or sewer infrastructure) that primarily benefit those designated areas. It overrides a standard acreage requirement in Texas Water Code, permitting the district to finance projects that directly serve targeted properties rather than the entire district. This bill specifically modifies the district’s authority under existing law, with no impact on other districts or statewide policy. The changes apply only to this single utility district’s operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas to create a property tax exemption for surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected conditions. Specifically, it would authorize the legislature to exempt all or part of the market value of a surviving spouse's primary home (homestead) from ad valorem taxes, provided the veteran died from a condition presumed service-connected under federal law and the spouse has not remarried. If a spouse moves to a new homestead, they could retain the same tax exemption amount as their previous home. The amendment requires voter approval in November 2025 and would take effect January 1, 2026, if approved.

Maddy summaryHB 1449 standardizes permits for mobile food vendors (like food trucks) in Texas counties with over 1 million residents that contain specific airport features. It prohibits cities within those counties from requiring extra permits beyond the state’s standard permit, sets county fees equal to the state’s biennial fee for similar permits, and allows counties to collaborate with cities on inspections. The law affects mobile food businesses operating in qualifying counties and local governments managing permits. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2703 designates the month of July as "American Patriotism Month" in Texas, with no direct impact on individuals or specific policies. The bill requires state agencies and citizens to observe July through ceremonies and activities celebrating U.S. values, honoring historical figures (including Revolutionary War patriots, founding fathers, astronauts, civil rights leaders, and post-9/11 unity), and fostering national pride. It became law immediately upon the governor's signature on May 28, 2025, with no funding or regulatory changes. This is a symbolic designation, not a substantive policy change.