Sen. Borris Miles

Maddy summarySB 14 requires local governments in Texas to offer credits against water and wastewater impact fees for builders and developers who construct eligible water conservation or reuse projects. These credits apply to facilities that reduce water use, decrease wastewater treatment needs, lower stormwater demands, or exceed standard efficiency requirements. Local governments must establish fair procedures to calculate and approve these credits. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, directly benefiting developers who invest in qualifying water-saving infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 16 amends Texas law to adjust the statute of limitations for certain felony prosecutions under Article 12.01 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. It extends the time limit for filing felony charges in specific cases, including real property theft and fraud offenses, while establishing procedures for restitution and criminal prosecution. The bill directly affects individuals accused of these crimes by modifying when charges can be filed and outlining victim restitution processes. This law, signed by the Governor on September 17, 2025, creates a clearer framework for prosecuting property-related offenses but does not establish new crimes.

Maddy summarySB 3 creates a state grant program to help local governments cover costs for installing outdoor warning sirens in areas identified as flood-prone due to the July 2025 Hill Country floods. The bill requires municipalities and counties to install these sirens in locations with a history of severe flooding, high residential density, or significant property damage risk, as determined by the board. The Governor's office will administer the grant program, setting eligibility rules, application processes, and monitoring requirements for funding. This law directly affects local governments in designated flood-prone areas, mandating siren systems to alert residents of imminent flood threats. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on September 5, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1, the Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act, requires youth camps (for minors on a day care or boarding basis) to comply with new safety standards. It prohibits issuing or renewing licenses for youth camps operating cabins within floodplains, except when cabins are near still water bodies like lakes or ponds that aren't connected to streams or rivers. The law also mandates annual license renewals for camps that alter boundaries, build new cabins, or renovate existing cabins affecting bed counts or access. Additionally, it creates an online registry of all licensed youth camps for public transparency. These provisions directly affect youth camp operators and the Texas Department of Health and Safety.

Maddy summarySB 58 (Texas) changes how property taxes are calculated for rebuilt structures after disasters. It states that replacing a damaged home or building (due to storms, fires, or natural disasters) does **not** count as a new "improvement" for tax purposes if the replacement matches the original size and exterior materials. However, it would count as a new improvement only if the new structure has more square footage or uses higher-quality exterior materials than the original. The bill also includes an exception if original materials are unavailable, allowing comparable materials without triggering higher taxes. It takes effect for 2026 tax years.

Maddy summarySB 57 increases criminal penalties for public servants who commit official oppression, specifically targeting those who manipulate education data or cause bodily injury while abusing their authority. It upgrades certain offenses from misdemeanors to felonies: a third-degree felony applies to public servants intentionally altering data reported to the Texas Education Agency via the PEIMS system, and a second-degree felony applies if a peace officer causes bodily injury or uses a deadly weapon during the offense. The bill does not create new offenses but raises penalties for existing violations under specific circumstances, affecting school administrators, educators, and law enforcement officers. It takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies only to offenses committed after that date.

Maddy summarySB 2 allows justices of the peace in counties without medical examiners to skip autopsies for deaths caused by natural disasters (like hurricanes or floods), provided they confirm: 1) the death resulted from disaster injuries, 2) no unlawful act caused it, and 3) no family member is seeking an autopsy. It requires the state to create a training program for these justices on managing mass fatality events, including autopsy decisions, body documentation, and coordinating with agencies. The law expires April 1, 2027, and directly affects local officials handling disaster-related deaths in rural counties. The bill does not impose licensing or fees, as implied in its title but not reflected in the actual text.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 43 creates a new exception to the state's abortion ban for pregnancies resulting from sexual assault (as defined under specific Penal Code sections), without requiring the patient to file a police report, provide forensic evidence, or pursue prosecution. It repeals Chapter 6-1/2 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, which was the primary statute prohibiting abortion, and clarifies that this exception does not repeal other abortion regulations or restrict local governments from imposing stricter abortion bans. The bill exempts abortions performed under this exception from certain reporting requirements under Sections 171.203 and 171.204. This directly affects pregnant patients who have experienced sexual assault and healthcare providers performing abortions under this specific exception.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 42 adds specific medical exceptions to the state's abortion prohibitions. It allows abortions when a physician determines they are necessary due to a lethal fetal anomaly, a life-limiting diagnosis making fetal survival impossible without extraordinary medical interventions, or a medical emergency. The bill amends multiple sections of the Health and Safety Code to clarify these exceptions apply to abortions performed under these circumstances, even if the pregnancy exceeds 20 weeks or occurs in an unlicensed facility. This directly affects physicians and patients in cases involving severe fetal conditions or urgent medical situations. The changes do not alter the general abortion restrictions but specify when exceptions to those restrictions apply.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 18) honoring Willie Belle Mollett Boone, a Houston civic leader who died on July 15, 2025. It commemorates her life, including her work as a Democratic Party activist, founder of the Southeast Precinct Judges Council, and longtime employee of Praxair. The resolution, introduced by Senator Miles, formally pays tribute to her legacy and extends condolences to her family. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is purely a memorial statement by the Texas Senate.