Sen. Tan Parker

Maddy summarySB 1493 updates Texas vehicle safety rules by clarifying standards for high-mounted brake lights. It specifies that such lights comply with federal safety rules if they vary in intensity four or fewer times during braking stops lasting up to two seconds - without turning off. The bill directly affects vehicle manufacturers (making new vehicles) and repair shops (modifying existing lights) to meet this standard. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not change existing federal requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1804 requires courts to order defendants convicted of trafficking or prostitution-related offenses (under Texas Penal Code Chapters 20A or 43) to pay restitution for victims' tattoo removal costs incurred through force, fraud, or coercion. It amends Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to explicitly include "reasonable and necessary costs of tattoo removal" as a covered expense under mandatory restitution. This applies to all victims of these specific crimes, not limited to minors. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates January 12 as Nathan Gage Ingram Day in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035, honoring U.S. Navy SEAL Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram. The resolution commemorates Ingram, who died on January 12, 2024, while attempting to rescue a fellow SEAL during a mission off Somalia’s coast. It has no policy impact beyond establishing an annual observance to recognize his service and sacrifice.

Maddy summaryHB 2440 prohibits state agencies and Texas's air quality state implementation plan from restricting the sale, use, or ownership of motor vehicles based on their energy source (e.g., gasoline, electric, or other power types). It specifically bans restrictions on purchasing any vehicle, including those powered by engines, and prevents agencies from banning vehicles by fuel type. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects vehicle owners, dealers, and state regulatory bodies. This policy change removes potential barriers for all vehicle types under air quality regulations.

Maddy summarySB 38 amends Texas Property Code to clarify procedures for eviction lawsuits involving tenants who lack legal right to occupy property. It specifies that justice courts must handle eviction cases in the precinct where the property is located, with limited circumstances allowing case transfers to adjacent precincts (e.g., if service delays occur or trials cannot be scheduled within 21 days). The bill prohibits courts from charging additional filing or service fees when transferring cases and explicitly states that eviction courts cannot rule on property title disputes or allow separate claims against third parties. This affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings by streamlining court processes and limiting judicial overreach.

Maddy summaryHB 27 requires all Texas public high school students to complete at least one-half credit in personal financial literacy as part of their social studies graduation requirements under Education Code Section 28.025(b-1)(4). The bill directs the State Board of Education to develop a list of free, open-source curricula for these courses and allows Advanced Placement courses meeting specific standards to count toward the requirement. This policy change affects all public high school students in Texas, mandating practical financial education alongside traditional subjects like history and government. The law, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, is now effective immediately for all public school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 640 clarifies that during election periods, election authorities (like county or city offices) must be open on "regular business days" - defined as days when their main office is typically open for business. The bill specifically notes that for independent school districts, this means the school district's main business office hours apply. It directly affects election offices and voters needing access to these locations during voting periods. The change takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter existing voting procedures or requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1506 sets new timelines for when Texas' Board of Pardons and Paroles must reconsider inmates for parole after a denial. It requires the board to review most inmates' cases between one and five years after denial, while extending this window to one to ten years for inmates serving sentences for certain serious offenses (like those under Section 22.021 of the Penal Code or life sentences for capital felonies). The law applies to all inmates confined in Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities on or after September 1, 2025, regardless of when their offense occurred. The bill, signed into law in June 2025, takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2037 creates a faster review process for environmental permits needed to build or modify liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals in Texas. It requires the state commission to respond to permit applications within 120 days after public comments end and establishes a new expedited review track. Applicants who choose this faster process must pay an additional fee, which covers administrative costs and is deposited into a special account. The bill also sets specific rules for resolving disputes about permit approvals, including requiring applicants to respond to concerns within 20 days if a hearing is requested. This law applies only to LNG terminal projects and took effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 827 amends the title of Section 127.201 in the Texas Election Code to explicitly clarify that it governs audits of elections conducted using electronic voting systems. The revised heading specifies that the general custodian (a designated election official) will conduct these audits. This technical correction, effective September 1, 2025, updates the law's language without changing existing audit procedures or requirements.