Sen. Tan Parker

Maddy summarySB 2436 amends Texas law governing the Texas Municipal Retirement System to clarify legal venue for disputes involving the system, requiring all related lawsuits to be filed in Travis County. It updates procedures for municipalities joining the system, mandates actuarial certification before adopting certain benefit ordinances, and establishes rules for employees to reinstate canceled retirement credits. The bill directly affects Texas municipalities participating in the retirement system and their employees who may seek to restore prior service credits. Key changes include standardized venue requirements, new actuarial review thresholds for benefit adjustments, and specific conditions for reestablishing credited service.

Maddy summarySB 2223 amends Texas' Uniform Commercial Code to clarify rules for digital and intangible assets, such as digital tokens or online accounts. It adds a definition for "Electronic" (covering digital/magnetic technology) and updates terms like "Holder" to include control of digital documents of title. This affects businesses and lenders dealing with digital assets by standardizing how security interests (like loans secured by digital property) are established and enforced. The bill modernizes existing UCC language for the digital age without creating new financial obligations or penalties.

Maddy summarySB 2433 requires the Texas Insurance Commissioner to mandate a collaborative rulemaking process for adopting department regulations, replacing previous language that merely encouraged it. This policy change directly affects the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and insurance industry stakeholders who interact with insurance regulations. The bill mandates TDI to use negotiated rulemaking procedures under Texas Government Code Chapter 2008 for all new rules, aiming to build consensus with affected parties. TDI must implement this policy by January 1, 2026, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025. The bill does not alter insurance rules themselves but changes how they are developed.

Maddy summarySB 2335 requires the Texas Department of Information Resources to conduct a comprehensive review of the state's centralized accounting and payroll system by September 2026. The review will assess the system's effectiveness in meeting agencies' financial/personnel needs, data security, regulatory compliance, transparency, cost savings, financial risks, and operational impact - including integration with other systems and user efficiency. The department must submit a report with findings, recommendations for improvements, implementation timelines, and legislative or administrative actions to the governor and relevant legislative committees. This bill directly affects state agencies using the system by mandating an evaluation of its performance and cost-effectiveness, but does not change the system itself.

Maddy summarySB 2315 exempts advanced nuclear reactors from paying excess costs to connect to Texas' ERCOT electricity grid. It applies specifically to three reactor types: large (400-1400 MW), small modular (50-400 MW), and microreactors (<50 MW). Normally, grid connection costs would be charged directly to the generator, but this bill removes that requirement for qualifying nuclear projects. The exemption takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2316 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install highway signs guiding drivers to Dallas's Koreatown District in Northwest Dallas by September 1, 2026. These signs must be placed at specific exits: Royal Lane for I-35E (both directions) and Luna Road for I-635 (both directions). The bill directs the department to maintain these signs while complying with state and federal traffic control device standards. It directly affects travelers using those interstate routes and aims to improve access to this cultural area. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2432, the Wade Cannon Act, requires Texas cities and counties that employ firefighters to provide free, confidential cancer screenings starting in the fifth year of employment and every three years thereafter. The screenings must test for four specific cancers: colorectal, prostate (if applicable), lung, and brain cancer. This law applies directly to all firefighters covered under Texas Government Code Section 419.021 and takes effect September 1, 2025. The bill mandates no cost to firefighters and ensures screening results remain confidential.

Maddy summarySB 2333 requires the Texas education agency to contract with a third party to provide two specific services to public school classroom teachers: (1) guidance on their rights, duties, and benefits, and (2) liability insurance protecting teachers from lawsuits related to their teaching duties. The bill mandates that school districts cannot block teachers from accessing these services, and contracts for these services must prohibit using state funds for political activities or advocacy. It also explicitly states the law does not interfere with teachers’ First Amendment rights. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, unless approved for immediate effect by a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summarySB 2118 amends Texas Transportation Code sections governing subregional boards of regional transportation authorities. It establishes a rotating presiding officer role (serving two-year terms with no consecutive terms), revises voting rules so principal municipalities appoint members proportional to their allocation (with votes equal to their allocated number), and sets staggered two-year terms for board members. The bill directly affects municipalities within regional transportation authorities that appoint board members. These changes streamline board operations and clarify membership representation, replacing prior sections about board elections and term structures.

Maddy summarySB 2174 requires digital asset service providers (like cryptocurrency exchanges) operating in Texas to provide customers with quarterly reports detailing outstanding liabilities owed to them and the digital assets held in custody. It also mandates that auditors can access pseudonymized customer data at any time for verification purposes. The bill repeals previous reporting requirements (sections 160.004(d)-(f) of the Finance Code) and updates licensing rules for money transmission. This legislation, pending approval, will take effect September 1, 2025.