Sen. Borris Miles

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Texas evaluates applications for low-income housing tax credits by requiring a standardized point system. It prioritizes financial feasibility (using lender-provided financial data), community support (via local government resolutions or neighborhood organization statements), tenant income levels, unit quality, rent levels, and disaster area location. The system also mandates specific criteria for certain developments, including whether projects in high-population urban areas include prekindergarten facilities meeting state requirements. The bill directly affects housing developers applying for tax credits and local governments reviewing these applications.

Maddy summarySB 2915 establishes a pilot program within Texas' Thriving Texas Families Program to support pregnant teenagers and young parents. It requires the state commission to provide services like housing, childcare for children under 3 years, early education, counseling, parenting classes, and educational support coordination in a county with at least 4 million residents. Eligibility is limited to individuals aged 11-21 who are pregnant or parenting a child under 36 months. The program will operate under an advisory board appointed by the commission and managed by an executive director with specified qualifications.

Maddy summarySB 3011 modifies Texas environmental permitting rules for concrete plants that mix concrete through wet, dry, or central batching methods. It requires these facilities to comply with amended permits within two years of an update or at their next permit renewal, whichever comes first. The bill also adds specific site map requirements to permit applications, including property lines, equipment locations, and buffer zone measurements. This directly affects all concrete plants operating under Texas Health and Safety Code permits for batching activities. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2895, filed in the Texas Legislature, creates a toll exemption for public school buses transporting students to or from school or school-related activities. The bill amends the Transportation Code to require toll project entities to waive toll fees for qualifying school buses on these specific routes, eliminating registration fee requirements for toll payment. This directly affects public school districts, school bus operators, and toll authorities managing highway toll projects. The exemption takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to school-related travel routes, not general bus operations.

Maddy summarySB 2914 requires Texas health and human services agencies to create a language access plan ensuring non-English speakers can access services. It mandates translating all public materials, forms, and communications into specific languages (including Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, Mandarin/Cantonese, and Chinese) for communities with at least 50,000 residents where 33% have limited English proficiency. The plan must make translations available online, conduct outreach to inform affected communities, train staff, and establish quality control measures. The agency must also hire at least one language access officer to oversee implementation. This directly affects non-English speakers using health and human services programs administered by the commission.

Maddy summarySB 2916 requires healthcare providers to obtain patient consent before performing blood screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to inform patients they can opt out of the test. It mandates that providers explain the screening process and offer information about available health services if a patient receives a positive result. The law applies to medical screenings for STDs and takes effect January 1, 2026, with the Health and Human Services Commission required to adopt implementing rules by that date. This bill directly affects healthcare providers who conduct STD screenings and patients receiving those screenings.

Maddy summarySB 2918 establishes the Texas Freedman's Bureau to help residents trace ancestry to individuals identified as "freedmen" under the 1865 Freedman's Bureau Act (1861-1868). The bureau will create a demographic database, issue freedmen identification cards to certified descendants, and provide legal assistance for reparations claims. It is composed of five governor-appointed commissioners (serving two-year terms) and operates through offices in Bexar, Dallas, Harris, and Travis counties, administratively attached to the Health and Human Services Commission. The bureau expires September 1, 2035, unless extended under the Texas Sunset Act. This bill directly affects descendants of freedmen seeking to verify heritage and access reparations support.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to extend a property tax benefit for homesteads. It would authorize the legislature to create rules keeping a cap on the appraised value used for property taxes if a home is passed to a spouse, surviving spouse, or heir who makes it their primary residence. Currently, the tax value limit expires when an owner dies, but this amendment would let the legislature maintain the cap for qualifying family members. The change would require voter approval in the 2025 election.

Maddy summarySB 2860 requires wireless service providers to collect a $0.50 monthly fee per connection from subscribers to fund 9-1-1 services. The fee adjusts annually based on the Consumer Price Index (up to 0.5%) and must be paid to the state comptroller, with providers retaining 1% for administrative costs. All collected funds must be used exclusively for 9-1-1 services, including automatic location identification, next-generation 9-1-1 deployment, and related support. The bill also establishes a distribution system where emergency communication districts not in the state system receive funds proportional to their population, after accounting for a 3% adjustment for statewide districts. This ensures dedicated, transparent funding for emergency call infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas law to define key terms and set size standards for businesses seeking Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) status. It establishes that a HUB must meet Small Business Administration size standards, have annual gross income under $23.98 million, and have an owner with personal net worth under $1.32 million. The comptroller must base HUB program rules on the Texas Department of Transportation Disparity Study. These changes directly affect businesses applying for state government contracts under the HUB program. The bill does not address transportation projects covered by separate statutes.