Sen. Tan Parker

Maddy summarySB 867 amends Texas law to require housing finance corporations to follow open meetings and open records laws (Chapters 551 and 552 of the Government Code). This directly affects housing finance corporations by mandating public transparency in their meetings and records. The key provision adds Section 394.0045 to the Local Government Code, applying standard public accountability rules to these entities. The bill does not create a new fee, as its title suggests, but instead modifies governance requirements for existing housing finance corporations. These changes ensure greater public access to the operations of entities managing affordable housing programs.

Maddy summarySB 1059 clarifies that cities with home rule authority cannot ask voters to approve charter amendments that would violate state law. Specifically, it adds a new provision (Section 9.0041) to the Local Government Code stating that a city's governing body may not submit such conflicting amendments to voters. This bill directly affects home-rule municipalities across Texas by restricting their ability to propose charter changes that would contradict existing state statutes. The law does not change current state law but prevents cities from seeking voter approval for amendments that would conflict with it. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, pending final passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Texas pet stores from selling dogs or cats, with limited exceptions for showcasing animals for adoption through qualified animal control agencies or nonprofit rescue organizations. Pet stores may only host these organizations if they meet strict criteria, such as not breeding animals, not receiving payment for animals, and having no ties to breeders or animal brokers. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $500 per day for each animal sold in violation. The law applies only to animals obtained by pet stores on or after the effective date.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 526) is a ceremonial gesture by the Texas Senate honoring Berna Dean Steptoe's retirement from WFAA in Dallas after 33 years of journalism. It recognizes her work producing "Inside Texas Politics," her 2019 Walter Cronkite Award for political journalism, and her community involvement. The Senate formally congratulates her and extends "sincere best wishes for the future" through a written resolution. As a procedural resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any laws or constituents.

Maddy summaryHJR 175 proposes a constitutional amendment to protect Texans' right to own, hold, and use any form of money they agree to use - such as cash, digital currency, coins, or even private scrip - when buying goods or services. It prohibits government from restricting ownership or holding of any currency, though it explicitly states the state may still choose its own payment methods for transactions with itself. The amendment would require voter approval in the November 2025 election, with the ballot asking voters to support recognizing this right. This is a procedural proposal, not a new law, and would amend the Texas Constitution if approved by voters.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 13) urges the U.S. Department of State and the International Boundary and Water Commission to ensure Mexico complies with the 1944 Treaty on shared water resources. It specifically addresses Mexico's failure to deliver the required 350,000 acre-feet of water annually (averaged over five years), with a current deficit of 984,814 acre-feet. The resolution highlights how this shortfall harms Texas water users, including municipal, agricultural, and industrial sectors in the Rio Grande Valley, impacting reservoir levels and causing economic losses like the closure of Texas' only sugar mill. As a non-binding resolution, it formally requests U.S. federal agencies to take action but does not change legal obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 2149 amends Texas Local Government Code Section 211.019 to require municipalities to negotiate agreements with property owners before forcing them to stop nonconforming land uses (uses that don't comply with current zoning after a regulation change). The bill mandates that agreements must specify either a payment covering relocation costs and market value loss, or a period allowing continued use to recover costs through business operations. This directly affects property owners with existing nonconforming uses and municipalities enforcing zoning changes. The key change shifts enforcement from unilateral municipal orders to a negotiated process with defined compensation or transition periods.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas law to allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to sell or serve alcohol on flights that cross areas where alcohol sales are prohibited (such as certain state or federal zones). It also permits these airlines to store sealed alcohol containers at airports they regularly serve or within five miles of those airports, following rules set by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The bill directly affects Texas-licensed airlines operating commercial passenger flights. It creates specific, clear rules for alcohol handling during air travel and storage, without changing broader state alcohol laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas law to streamline the collection of certain civil judgments. It requires justice courts to appoint a receiver for unpaid judgments after six months if requested by a creditor, and allows courts to charge up to $25 for such motions. Child support judgments are specifically included in these enforcement mechanisms, and the bill updates statute of limitations rules for judgment enforcement (extending renewal periods to 10 years from issuance). The changes apply to all civil judgments, directly affecting creditors seeking payment and debtors facing collection actions.

Maddy summarySB 1903 changes the composition of the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation's board from nine to eleven members. It adds four new positions: two appointed by the governor (with Senate confirmation) and requiring investment expertise, one appointed by the lieutenant governor (with Senate confirmation) with investment expertise, and one appointed by the speaker of the House (with Senate confirmation) with investment expertise. The bill specifies that these new members serve staggered six-year terms, with terms expiring on January 1 of odd-numbered years. This bill directly affects the governance structure of the Texas Permanent School Fund, which manages assets supporting public education.