Sen. Tan Parker

Maddy summarySB 2058 requires the Texas Board of Nursing and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to post a prominent link on their websites to the most recent nursing education reports from the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies. The bill mandates this publication to make existing nursing education data more accessible to the public. It applies directly to these two state boards and takes effect December 31, 2025. The bill focuses solely on the method of data dissemination, not on altering nursing education standards or data collection processes.

Maddy summarySB 18 prohibits Texas municipal libraries from receiving state or public funds if they host events where a person presenting as the opposite gender (e.g., a man presenting as a woman or woman presenting as a man) reads to minors for entertainment, with the gender presentation being a primary component of the event. Libraries hosting such events would lose funding for the fiscal year following the event. The law applies only to events occurring on or after September 1, 2025, and affects municipal libraries receiving state or public funds. It directly targets funding for specific library programming involving gender presentation in children's events. The bill does not restrict library access or content generally, only funding tied to these defined events.

Maddy summarySB 2063 modifies Texas property tax procedures by restricting evidence used in appeals claiming unequal appraisal. It prohibits property owners protesting solely on unequal appraisal grounds from presenting market value evidence to appraisal review boards or courts. The bill also updates how comparable property values are calculated for such appeals, requiring use of the appraisal district's market value under specific statutory limitations. These changes apply only to protests filed on or after January 1, 2026, with prior cases governed by existing law. The bill directly affects property owners challenging tax assessments based on unequal appraisal without claiming overvaluation.

Maddy summarySB 1585 would prohibit Texas government entities (including state agencies and local governments) from entering contracts with companies owned by countries designated as threats to critical infrastructure. It specifically targets companies providing information and communications technology (like cybersecurity systems) or services for critical infrastructure such as power grids, water treatment facilities, and hazardous waste systems. Violations would trigger civil penalties and potentially criminal charges. The law defines "designated countries" as those identified by the governor after consulting with the public safety director.

Maddy summarySB 2487 establishes crisis service centers in Texas counties with populations exceeding 1.2 million, requiring 24/7 provision of mental health crisis services including immediate stabilization, short-term residential care, medical detoxification, and housing coordination for individuals experiencing homelessness. The bill revises detention procedures by mandating that a licensed mental health professional conduct an immediate examination for certain individuals and a physician complete a preliminary exam within 12 hours (reducing the prior 24-hour window). It requires crisis centers to provide follow-up services within 72 hours of initial intervention, including risk reassessment and connections to housing and treatment, and ensures individuals released receive information about outpatient care options. These centers must coordinate with law enforcement to prioritize crisis center visits over restrictive settings and integrate with federal homelessness programs like HUD's continuum of care.

Maddy summarySB 1962 restricts public school districts from seeking exemptions or waivers for specific educational requirements under Texas law. It prohibits waivers for rules covering criminal conduct, federal mandates (like special education programs), graduation standards, accountability measures, class size limits, student safety protocols, and teacher protections. The bill also establishes a new appeal process allowing schools to challenge Texas Education Agency decisions in Travis County district court. This directly affects all public schools and districts operating within Texas's accountability system by requiring strict adherence to these non-negotiable standards.

Maddy summarySB 2929 changes rules for removing disruptive spectators at school sports events by allowing referees, judges, or officials to eject them without first giving a verbal warning. This directly affects school officials (like referees) and spectators at extracurricular athletic activities sponsored by school districts or the University Interscholastic League. The law applies immediately for the 2025-2026 school year and removes the requirement for officials to issue a verbal warning before ejecting someone for inappropriate behavior.

Maddy summarySB 505 creates a formal process for certain election participants - such as candidates, party chairs, election judges, and political committee heads - to request explanations from county clerks about election irregularities. Under Section 280.001, these individuals can seek written explanations for issues like voting discrepancies or documentation gaps within 20 days, with a follow-up request allowed if unsatisfied (requiring a 10-day response). If unresolved, they may escalate to the Secretary of State for an audit within 30 days (Section 280.002), requiring submission of prior requests and responses. The bill directly affects those actively involved in elections as defined in the text, focusing on transparency in addressing irregularities rather than imposing penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1939 creates a 4% credit for Texas school districts that prepay attendance credit costs under the public school finance system. Specifically, districts that elect to pay for attendance credit using a specified payment method and pay the full amount by February 15 each school year receive this credit. The bill directly affects all Texas public school districts required to purchase attendance credit under Chapter 49 of the Education Code. The credit applies after other applicable reductions and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2306 requires licensed child-placing agencies in Texas to post an itemized list of all adoption costs on their public website. This applies directly to adoption agencies, making cost transparency mandatory for prospective adoptive families. The law mandates that agencies display every cost associated with an adoption, such as fees, legal expenses, or agency charges, in a clear, itemized format. It takes effect on September 1, 2025, and is now law after being signed by the Governor on May 27, 2025.