Maddy summarySB 1961 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas Workforce Commission to publicly report detailed, de-identified data on college graduates and students who leave programs. This includes employment status, wages, locations, and program completion for graduates, plus program enrollment status and remaining credits for non-graduates. The bill also mandates a biennial statewide assessment of regional workforce needs, analyzing job markets by industry, occupation, wage levels, and location over 10 years to identify "self-sufficient wage" jobs. These reporting requirements directly affect public junior colleges (through performance funding tied to the data) and workforce agencies, aiming to align education programs with local job market demands.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 2172 clarifies when Texas property appraisal districts can require homeowners with a homestead tax exemption to reapply or confirm their eligibility. It limits this requirement to cases where the chief appraiser has a specific reason to believe the homeowner no longer qualifies, and mandates written notice explaining that reason. The bill specifically protects seniors aged 65+ by preventing exemption cancellation solely for failing to submit a new application unless the appraiser follows strict notice procedures. This directly affects Texas homeowners currently receiving homestead tax exemptions, ensuring appraisal districts cannot arbitrarily demand renewal paperwork.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 383) is a ceremonial gesture honoring the fourth-grade class of St. Mark's School of Texas in Dallas during their April 10, 2025, visit to the Texas State Capitol. It recognizes the school's 119-year history, founding in 1906, and its role as a college-preparatory institution serving over 900 students. The resolution formally extends the Senate's best wishes to the students but contains no policy changes or binding requirements. It directly affects the visiting students and school through symbolic recognition, not legislative action.
Maddy summarySB 26 establishes new requirements for Texas public school districts and charter schools regarding teacher evaluation, compensation, and support. It creates an "enhanced teacher incentive allotment" designation for schools implementing performance-based evaluation systems, requiring them to use appraisals to determine teacher designations, offer performance-linked pay (without automatic raises), and place effective teachers at high-need campuses. The bill also creates a grant program to help districts expand local teacher designation systems and provides free liability insurance and rights assistance for classroom teachers through a contracted third party. These provisions directly affect school districts, charter schools, principals, instructional staff, and all public school teachers in Texas.
Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a binding law) expressing Texas's support for strengthening economic ties with Israel. It urges the creation of a Texas Trade and Investment Office in Jerusalem to foster business connections, particularly with countries in the Abraham Accords or peace agreements with Israel. The resolution reaffirms Texas's existing trade relationship with Israel - where Texas ranks among top U.S. states for exports - and directs officials to share the resolution with state, federal, and Israeli leaders. It does not create new programs or allocate funding, serving only as a formal statement of support.
Maddy summarySB 2331 establishes new requirements for Texas' Managed Care Consumer Choice Program, which governs Medicaid and CHIP health plans (STAR, CHIP, STAR Kids, and STAR + PLUS programs, excluding STAR Health). It requires the state commission to verify managed care organizations' certification, financial stability, and compliance with performance measures before contracting with them. The bill mandates annual performance evaluations based on cost efficiency, care quality, and member satisfaction, with results published online for public access. Recipients gain the right to choose any compliant health plan in their service area, while organizations failing to meet standards face remedies like corrective plans or contract termination. These changes directly affect Medicaid/CHIP beneficiaries and health plan providers operating in Texas.
Maddy summarySB 2861 requires the Texas Commissioner of Insurance to mandate negotiated rulemaking procedures (under Government Code Chapter 2008) for adopting department rules, replacing previous language that only encouraged such processes. This bill directly affects the Commissioner of Insurance and the insurance industry by changing how new regulations are developed, ensuring stakeholder input through formal negotiations. The commissioner must adopt required rules by January 1, 2026, to implement this policy. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and focuses on procedural changes to insurance rulemaking, not specific policy outcomes.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution from the Texas Senate congratulating Aaron F. Reitz on his appointment as Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy. It recognizes his legal career, including service as Texas Deputy Attorney General and Chief of Staff to Senator Ted Cruz, and expresses best wishes for his new role. The resolution contains no policy changes or legislative action - it is purely an expression of recognition by the Texas Senate.
Maddy summarySB 2922 creates a regulatory framework for oil-backed stablecoins in Texas, requiring issuers to fully back each stablecoin unit with physical oil or oil products held in a dedicated reserve. It establishes licensing requirements through the Texas Department of Banking, mandates 1:1 redemption for oil, and authorizes fees and administrative penalties for noncompliance. This directly affects companies seeking to issue such stablecoins (as licensees), consumers using them, and the Texas Department of Banking (as the regulator). The bill specifies that stablecoins must be redeemable for a defined oil quantity measured in standard units, with oversight to ensure transparency and consumer protection.
Maddy summarySB 2825 requires Texas public schools to include Internet safety and keyboard use in the technology curriculum for all K-8 students. It specifically prohibits the State Board of Education from including coding, computer programming, computational thinking, or cybersecurity in the curriculum for grades K-5, and limits the use of electronic devices or the Internet to only what's necessary for Internet safety or keyboard lessons. The bill also mandates that the State Board of Education review and update the curriculum every five years (with a first review due by December 2026) to ensure it remains relevant to student education and aligns with current or emerging careers. This law applies directly to public school technology education standards in Texas.