Sen. Tan Parker

Maddy summarySB 1784 requires Texas health care providers to provide patients with written notice at least 60 days before initiating debt collection for unpaid health care services or supplies. This applies to all health care providers collecting patient debts, directly affecting both providers and patients facing billing disputes. The law mandates the notice must be sent in writing before any collection action begins, giving patients time to address the debt. The requirement takes effect September 1, 2025, and only applies to debt collection efforts started on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 1377 creates a grant program to provide financial assistance to rural counties in Texas with populations of 68,750 or less. Qualified ambulance service providers in these counties can receive grants up to $500,000 (for counties under 10,000 people) or $350,000 (for counties between 10,000 and 68,750 people) to purchase ambulances. Counties must use the funds exclusively for ambulance purchases within five years and cannot reduce ambulance service budgets with this money. The comptroller administers the program, prioritizing counties farther from trauma centers and those with limited ability to fund ambulance services independently.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 2721 establishes new licensing and regulatory requirements for entities handling human bodies or anatomical specimens for educational or research purposes. It creates definitions for "human body acquisition services," "non-transplant anatomical donation organizations," and "willed body programs," requiring these entities to obtain licenses, maintain secure electronic records with unique identifiers for body parts, and update a commission database tracking each specimen’s location. The bill directly affects institutions of higher education operating body donation programs, research facilities, and organizations that collect, process, or distribute bodies or body parts for medical training. Violations of the law are classified as state jail felonies, with the Texas Funeral Service Commission authorized to enforce these rules and revoke licenses for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals to submit proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote. Applicants must provide a copy of specific documents, such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate, with their voter registration application. If initial proof is not provided, voter registrars must attempt to verify citizenship using various databases. If citizenship cannot be verified or proof is not ultimately provided, the applicant will only be eligible to vote a limited federal ballot. The bill also creates a state jail felony offense for registrars who knowingly fail to reject applications that do not meet these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies sunset review provisions for several Texas state agencies and special districts. It sets expiration dates (September 1, 2025, or 2027) for entities like the Texas Lottery Commission, Department of Criminal Justice, and Department of Information Resources unless renewed by the legislature. The Texas Ethics Commission is subject to review but cannot be abolished, while river authorities (Angelina and Neches, Lower Neches Valley, Sabine River, and Trinity River) must undergo review but cannot be eliminated. The changes align these entities with the Texas Sunset Act’s standard review process for state agencies.

Maddy summarySB 1359 creates the Wise Regional Water District to manage water and wastewater services in Wise County, Texas, directly affecting residents and local governments within the district's boundaries. The bill grants the district limited power of eminent domain for infrastructure projects, authority to issue bonds for financing, and the ability to impose fees on users to cover operational costs. It establishes a governing board appointed by Wise County officials and participating municipalities, with specific rules for contract members (like cities that agree to pay administrative fees) and service area boundaries. The district is designed to serve public water needs under Texas Constitution Section 59, with expansion possible through contracts with neighboring municipalities.

Maddy summarySB 1349 creates new criminal offenses in Texas for "transnational repression" and "unauthorized enforcement of foreign law." It targets individuals acting as agents of foreign governments or terrorist organizations who commit specific crimes (like assault or harassment) with the intent to force someone to act for a foreign entity, restrict their movement, suppress protected speech, or retaliate for exercising free expression. The law increases penalties for these offenses, making them one category higher than the underlying crime (e.g., a first-degree felony becomes a first-degree felony with a 15-year minimum sentence). This bill directly affects foreign agents operating within Texas who engage in such conduct, aiming to protect First Amendment rights and prevent foreign interference in U.S. affairs. It became effective on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia causes, prevention, and treatment. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and research groups to expand dementia-related studies and create jobs. It establishes three committees to oversee funding and research priorities, with the program set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless renewed under Texas law. The bill directly affects Texas research institutions receiving grants and aims to improve dementia health outcomes for state residents. This legislation became law after being signed by the Governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2000, titled "Audrii's Law," amends Texas law to require sex offender registration for individuals convicted of certain child grooming offenses. Specifically, it adds Section 43.021 (Solicitation of Prostitution) of the Penal Code to the list of offenses triggering registration, but only when the offense is punishable as a second-degree felony. This change directly affects people convicted of soliciting minors for sexual purposes under this specific statute. The law expands existing registration requirements to cover these grooming-related acts, aligning them with other serious sexual offenses. It became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2730 requires Texas chief appraisers to follow specific steps before asking homeowners with a homestead tax exemption to reapply or confirm their eligibility. It allows reconfirmation only if the appraiser has reason to believe the homeowner no longer qualifies (e.g., after checking databases like driver’s license records), and must provide written notice explaining the concern. The bill specifically protects homeowners aged 65+ from losing their exemption due to non-filing unless all required steps are followed. This directly affects Texas residents currently receiving homestead tax exemptions on their primary residences. The law took effect immediately upon the governor’s signature on May 24, 2025.