Maddy summarySB 3075 allows local units (like cities or counties) within regional transportation authorities to use up to 25% of their annual sales and use tax revenue for "general mobility programs." These programs fund specific infrastructure projects including sidewalks, bike trails, streetlights, traffic signals, and drainage improvements on local roads and pathways. The bill requires units to submit annual project lists to the subregional board and mandates that 50% of funds be available at the start of the fiscal year, with the remaining 50% reimbursed later. Unused funds must be used to reduce the authority's debt secured by a 1% sales tax rate. This bill directly affects local units participating in regional transportation authorities governed by subregional boards under Texas Transportation Code.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal rights for individuals to control the digital replication of their voice or visual likeness. It defines a "digital replica" as a realistic computer-generated representation not based on existing performances (excluding standard music sampling or remixing). Individuals can sue if their likeness is used without consent, and the law authorizes a fee for certain digital replication services. The law applies to both living and deceased individuals, protecting their identity from unauthorized digital use.
Maddy summarySB 27 modifies Texas education law to protect public school educators' rights and provide financial support. It requires salary reductions for unpaid leave to be calculated using annual salary divided by expected workdays (affecting teachers, counselors, and librarians), waives certification exam fees for first-time applicants in special education and bilingual programs, and prevents sanctions against educators who leave probationary contracts after the 45th day before school starts due to serious illness or spouse relocation. The bill directly impacts educators seeking certification and those on probationary contracts, while also directing the Texas Education Agency to cover exam fees for qualifying applicants. These changes aim to reduce financial barriers and provide clearer protections for educators during employment transitions.
Maddy summarySB 1316 prohibits e-cigarette advertising on signs located within 1,000 feet of schools or churches in Texas. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to require this distance, measured from the nearest property line of the institution to the sign. It includes an exception for signs already advertising e-cigarettes within 500-1,000 feet of such institutions before September 1, 1997. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting businesses that advertise e-cigarettes near schools or churches.
Maddy summaryHB 5147 defines "investigational stem cell treatment" as adult stem cell therapy in clinical trials not yet approved by the FDA. It requires clinics to provide clear informed consent disclosing the FDA status of the treatment and mandates that such treatments be administered only by physician-certified providers at specified locations (hospitals, surgical centers, medical schools, or accredited outpatient settings). The bill also sets strict standards for institutional review boards overseeing these trials, requiring affiliation with medical schools, large hospitals, or accreditation by recognized bodies. These requirements aim to ensure transparency and safety for patients participating in stem cell clinical trials in Texas.
Maddy summarySB 2117 establishes the Texas Committee on Foreign Investment to review certain transactions involving foreign entities that affect Texas critical infrastructure, such as energy, water systems, or communications networks. It directly affects foreign entities (including non-U.S. citizens, foreign governments, or businesses from countries without U.S. trade agreements) seeking to acquire or control assets in these sectors. The bill requires these entities to submit transactions for review by the committee, with a civil penalty for non-compliance. Key provisions include defining "critical infrastructure" across 16 categories and mandating the committee’s review process for covered transactions. The bill does not block transactions but creates a regulatory framework for oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes Texas law to establish a presumption that courts should order retroactive child support beginning on the date of a child's conception, rather than the child's birth. It specifies that courts must determine the earliest conception date using medical evidence (per Health and Safety Code standards) or parental testimony. The bill also allows courts to order obligors to pay an equitable share of prenatal/postnatal health care costs for the mother and child. These changes apply only to paternity orders or acknowledgments of paternity executed on or after the bill's effective date.
Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to exempt up to $125,000 of the market value of business-used tangible personal property (like equipment or vehicles) from property tax. It would directly affect business owners who hold such property for income generation, such as small business operators or farmers. The amendment would revise the state constitution to authorize this specific exemption amount, replacing the current exemption structure. If approved by voters in November 2025, this would become a permanent constitutional provision enabling future legislation to implement the tax break. The bill is now headed to the November ballot after passing both legislative chambers.
Maddy summarySB 326 requires Texas public schools and colleges to use the state's official definition of antisemitism (from Government Code Section 448.001, including its examples) when determining if a student's conduct violation under school rules was motivated by antisemitism. It applies to disciplinary actions for behavior violating student codes in both K-12 schools and higher education institutions. The law mandates this specific definition be used starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill was signed into law on May 20, 2025, and took effect immediately. This policy change standardizes how schools assess antisemitism-related conduct without creating new definitions or penalties.
Maddy summarySB 1358 prohibits local governments (counties, municipalities, or public health districts) from requiring sound regulation permits, charging sound-related fees, or banning sound from deliveries to food service establishments. It specifically applies to deliveries of food, nonalcoholic beverages, food supplies, or ice that occur for one hour or less between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., provided the sound level at the nearest residential property does not exceed 75 dBA (excluding traffic noise). The law prevents local regulations targeting noise from these late-night deliveries, directly affecting restaurants and delivery businesses operating during those hours. It takes effect September 1, 2025.