Sen. Borris Miles

Maddy summarySB 1526 would allow the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to reimburse certain employees for legal costs related to their work. It covers two situations: (1) employees who were criminally prosecuted for work-related conduct (like child or disability protection duties) and found not guilty, up to $10,000 for attorney fees; and (2) current employees needing legal protection (like a restraining order) while working on similar duties, up to $5,000. The bill requires DFPS to adopt implementing rules and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects DFPS staff involved in child welfare, elder care, or disability services.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) honoring Earl M. Swindle Sr. of Houston. It recognizes his life, including his service as a Gulf Oil business owner (one of the first African American proprietors), community leadership, military service, and dedication to youth programs. The Texas Senate adopted the resolution on April 16, 2025, to pay tribute to his memory and extend condolences to his family. It has no policy impact or funding provisions - it is purely a formal expression of respect.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 414) formally recognizes April 16, 2025, as "St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Day" in Texas. It honors the Houston church's history and community impact by designating a day for the church to be celebrated at the State Capitol, with an official copy of the resolution provided to the church. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies or individuals beyond this ceremonial recognition. It is a commemorative measure, not a substantive legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not substantive legislation) formally recognizing Texas Democratic Women for their April 15, 2025, advocacy event at the Texas Capitol. It acknowledges their work since 1987 promoting women's political involvement and their focus on issues like education, healthcare, and economic security for Texas women. The resolution serves only as a symbolic gesture of support from the Senate, extending well-wishes for their lobbying efforts. It does not create new laws or affect any legal rights or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 408) formally recognizes April 14, 2025, as "Red and White Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It honors members of the Blazing Southwest Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (specifically 25,000 members across 142 chapters) for their planned visit to discuss issues like health equity, voting rights, and civic engagement. The resolution serves only as ceremonial recognition, with no new laws, funding, or policy changes. It does not directly affect any legislation or constituents beyond acknowledging the sorority's community service and planned Capitol activities.

Maddy summarySB 661 would create the Office of Youth Health and Safety within the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement's Office of Forensic Coordination. The office aims to provide trauma-informed services for youth aged 10-18 under juvenile court supervision, supporting their transition to adulthood and community engagement. It establishes a 21-member governing board including commission officials, juvenile justice advocates, mental health experts, youth representatives, and others with relevant experience. The bill, if passed, would formalize this office and its structure but does not change existing laws or impose new requirements on the public.

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 summarySB 270 requires the Texas Public Utility Commission to study the costs and benefits of burying overhead power lines underground in four major metropolitan areas: Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. The study will examine potential costs (including impacts on utility rates), maintenance expenses, outage-related savings, and environmental and safety effects for electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities, and municipal utilities in those regions. The commission must submit a final report with findings and recommendations to state leaders by December 31, 2026. This bill does not change current laws or require any immediate action; it solely mandates a cost-benefit analysis to inform future decisions. The study expires January 31, 2027, with a required implementation date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 583 requires cities with over 25,000 residents and counties with over 50,000 residents to create an annual list of publicly-owned properties suitable for affordable housing. The bill defines "affordable housing" as housing costing no more than 30% of a household's median income in their area. Each municipality or county must list property addresses, legal descriptions, and whether properties are vacant or improved, then publish the list online or at public notice locations. This procedural bill creates a transparent process for identifying potential housing sites but does not directly fund or build housing.

Maddy summarySB 1725 establishes a new Office of Community Violence Intervention and Prevention within Texas' Department of State Health Services. The bill creates a grant program to fund community-based organizations providing violence prevention services, targeting specific forms of violence including intimate partner violence, gun violence, sexual assault, and violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The office will coordinate state and local efforts, integrate violence prevention into substance use programs, and collaborate with agencies addressing child abuse, elder abuse, youth violence, and family violence. This legislation directly affects communities experiencing preventable violence by creating a state-level structure to support and fund local prevention initiatives.