Sen. Borris Miles

Maddy summarySB 2536 requires school superintendents, directors, and principals to report educator misconduct (like criminal records or alleged incidents) by specific deadlines. If they fail to meet these deadlines, the State Board for Educator Certification can impose fines of at least $1,000 (up from $500) and up to $10,000. The bill also states that an educator’s certification renewal will be blocked until the fine is paid. This directly affects school administrators and educators in Texas public schools by increasing accountability for timely reporting of misconduct. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2561 establishes the Student Success Initiative Program within the Texas Education Agency to provide grants to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. The program focuses on improving student well-being and academic outcomes through evidence-based practices, prioritizing schools serving 100,000+ students and those with high percentages of students not meeting assessment standards or facing educational disadvantage. Grants must fund supports like tutoring, mentoring, and community partnerships, with 75% of funds allocated to large districts and up to 10% reserved for program administration. The Texas Education Agency must annually report on the program’s impact to the legislature. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, pending legislative approval.

Maddy summarySJR 56 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a special "child care protection and enhancement fund" in Texas. This fund, established outside the state treasury, would be used exclusively to expand childcare capacity (more childcare seats) or increase state-subsidized care rates for providers. Funding would come from legislative appropriations, gifts/grants (administered by the Comptroller), and investment earnings. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election before the fund could be implemented.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (SR 352) recognizing April 2, 2025, as Texas Food Bank Day at the Texas State Capitol. It honors the Feeding Texas network, which operates 20 food banks serving all 254 Texas counties through partnerships with agencies like the Texas Department of Agriculture. The resolution specifically acknowledges their work distributing over 500 million pounds of surplus produce and providing nutrition assistance to low-income families. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally commends Feeding Texas for its hunger-relief efforts.

Maddy summarySB 287 prohibits the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises of businesses that provide live nude entertainment to groups of two or more people (defined as "sexually oriented businesses"). This law directly affects owners and operators of such venues, including certain clubs, bars, or restaurants featuring live nude performances. Violating this rule is a criminal offense: a first offense is a Class A misdemeanor, escalating to a state jail felony for repeat violations. The bill creates clear penalties for allowing alcohol use or possession at these specific establishments, without impacting other businesses or general alcohol consumption laws.

Maddy summarySB 1675 requires pharmacists in Texas hospitals with more than 100 beds to create accurate medication profiles for "high-risk patients" as defined by hospital policy. The bill allows pharmacist-interns or pharmacy technicians to complete these profiles if they meet training standards set by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. Hospital pharmacists-in-charge must develop policies for timely profile completion, while the Board will establish rules for profile content and required training. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting hospital pharmacies in larger facilities.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (SR 333) adopted by the Texas Senate on March 27, 2025, to honor Gordon Robert Johnson, a longtime Austin resident and legal advisor with deep ties to Texas state government. The resolution recognizes his career as a lawyer, his service as political director for former House Speaker Joe Straus, his role in securing key legislation like the Texas Racing Act, and his family life. It does not create new laws or policies; it solely serves to memorialize Johnson following his death on March 16, 2025, and extend condolences to his family.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 330), not a law. It formally recognizes Tim Lee, executive director of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), for his 21 years of collaboration with the Texas Legislature. The resolution honors his work advocating for teacher pension benefits, cost-of-living adjustments, and federal policy changes like the Social Security Fairness Act. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is solely a symbolic gesture of appreciation from the Texas Senate.

Maddy summarySB 2291 creates the Texas Advanced Research Institute within the governor's office to advance research in key fields like energy, medicine, and biotechnology. The institute will make grants to public and private institutions for research, development, and patent creation, while coordinating a statewide research plan and monitoring grant compliance. It aims to boost Texas' research investment, attract innovation, and develop workforce skills for future jobs. The institute is set to expire on September 1, 2037, unless extended under the Texas Sunset Act.

Maddy summarySB 2271 prohibits the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from allowing the transfer of a standard permit authorization when a concrete facility is sold. It directly affects buyers of specific concrete facilities, including plants performing wet or dry batching, central mixing, or crushing operations. The bill requires new permit applications from purchasers instead of inheriting the previous owner's authorization. This change applies to facilities covered under Sections 382.05195 or 382.05198 of the Health and Safety Code.