Sen. Borris Miles

Maddy summarySB 2290 expands eligibility for Texas' Children with Special Health Care Needs program to include individuals with cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease at any age, regardless of previous age restrictions. It also clarifies that children under 21 with chronic physical or developmental conditions remain eligible. The bill modifies the Health and Safety Code to formally define "child with special health care needs" to include these specific provisions. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2293 prohibits carrying certain visible weapons on public library premises in Texas. It specifically bans visible location-restricted knives, clubs, or prohibited weapons listed in the Penal Code, as well as any visible handgun - even if holstered or carried under a permit. The law creates a criminal offense for violating these restrictions, directly affecting library patrons and visitors who carry such weapons. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and amends the Penal Code to override existing exceptions for permit holders.

Maddy summarySB 2387 would create an independent Office of Independent Oversight Ombudsman within the Texas Government Code to monitor conditions and treatment of inmates in Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) facilities. The ombudsman, appointed by the governor with legislative input, would independently investigate offender rights, review facility conditions, analyze data, and assess program effectiveness without TDCJ control. Key provisions include separate funding for the office (not tied to TDCJ budgets), a four-year term for the ombudsman with removal only for cause, and authority to conduct in-depth reviews of critical incidents. This office would directly affect TDCJ offenders confined in state facilities and aim to improve TDCJ operations through objective oversight. The bill is currently in the Criminal Justice committee for further review.

Maddy summarySB 2275 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to establish procedures allowing individuals to submit public comments via email during required comment periods for air, waste, or water permit applications. This change directly affects residents, businesses, and environmental groups who comment on TCEQ permit decisions. The bill applies only to permit applications filed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not alter environmental standards or permit requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2273 requires specific concrete facilities - those engaged in crushing or wet/dry batching/central mixing - to monitor emissions opacity during all operational hours. It mandates that permit holders train on-site staff in opacity reading methods to comply with environmental rules. The bill directly affects concrete plants and crushing operations holding relevant permits under Texas Health and Safety Code. The requirement takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2279 requires Texas public school districts to increase wages by $2 per hour for full-time support staff (excluding administrators and employees already on minimum salary schedules) starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill creates new state funding to cover these wage increases, ensuring districts receive annual aid equal to the total cost of the raises. Support staff who remain in the same position after 2025-2026 are guaranteed wages at least equal to the 2025-2026 rate. The policy applies to all school districts, including those typically ineligible for state aid, and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 2277 prohibits public school districts and charter schools from punishing, retaliating against, or discriminating against employees who report specific misconduct in good faith. It directly protects teachers, staff, and other school employees who report alleged misconduct described in Section 22.093(c)(1)(A) or (B) to school officials, law enforcement, or other authorities. The law explicitly bans disciplinary actions against employees making such reports, ensuring they cannot face negative consequences for speaking up. The bill takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year, unless it receives a two-thirds vote for immediate implementation.

Maddy summarySB 2292 prohibits using electric resistance heating (like space heaters or baseboard units) as the main heat source in residential buildings over 500 square feet. It applies to new construction, renovations, or repairs starting on or after January 1, 2026, with an exception for units cooled by chilled water systems. Municipalities must adopt implementing rules by December 1, 2025, and the law takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects builders, developers, and homeowners in Texas for qualifying residential projects.

Maddy summarySB 2276 requires that operators of concrete batch plants and concrete crushing facilities provide notice and offer a hearing opportunity to residents living within 440 yards of a proposed site before construction begins under certain permits. It specifically applies to facilities using standard permits or permits by rule for wet/dry batching, central mixing, or crushing operations. The bill mandates that only residents in permanent homes within this 440-yard radius may request a hearing, and prevents denial of such requests solely based on distance if the facility violates existing distance rules. This affects both facility operators seeking initial permits or renewals and nearby residents who may participate in the review process.

Maddy summarySB 2288 requires the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to study racial profiling incidents by peace officers in Texas and report model policies to reduce such incidents. The commission must use existing incident data from law enforcement reports and submit recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2026. This bill directly affects Texas law enforcement agencies by mandating a formal review of profiling practices. The study and report are required to expire January 1, 2027, with the bill taking effect September 1, 2025.