Sen. Borris Miles

Maddy summarySB 2295 requires Texas municipalities to formally approve via ordinance any new or expanded political subdivisions (such as special districts) within their city limits or nearby extraterritorial jurisdiction. It directly affects cities and the entities seeking to form or grow within municipal boundaries, including emergency services districts. The bill mandates that city councils must pass specific ordinances authorizing such creations or expansions, replacing previous default rules. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all new or expanded local government entities in these areas.

Maddy summarySB 2296 requires 15 key Texas state agencies - including the Department of Public Safety, Health and Human Services Commission, Public Utility Commission, and Texas Division of Emergency Management - to develop and publish annual severe weather adaptation plans by September 1 of each even-numbered year. Each plan must assess vulnerabilities to severe weather, outline specific preparedness steps for the agency’s mission, analyze budget impacts over 2-10 years, identify funding sources, and include a statewide monitoring strategy. The plans must be based on current scientific research about increasing severe weather impacts on Texas communities and infrastructure. This bill directly affects how these state entities prepare for and respond to climate-related weather events, without specifying funding or enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 2278 requires Texas public school districts and charter schools to send written notice to parents or guardians when an investigation suggests a school educator committed specific misconduct with a student enrolled at the school. The notice must be sent by mail or, if mail is deemed too costly, by email. This law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year, ensuring parents are informed about potential educator misconduct involving their child.

Maddy summarySB 2285 requires electric utilities (excluding municipal ones) and telecommunications providers to manage complaints about overgrown vegetation near power lines or communication lines. Upon receiving a complaint, these companies must forward it to the line owner within five business days and provide the complainant with the owner’s contact information. If the line owner fails to trim the vegetation within that timeframe, the utility or provider may trim it and seek reimbursement for reasonable costs. The bill applies to non-municipal electric utilities and telecommunications providers, without affecting existing legal claims for injury or property damage related to vegetation.

Maddy summarySB 2287 creates a 7-member Child-Care Advisory Council within Texas' Labor Code to advise the state commission on child-care policy. The council includes representatives from the child-care industry (appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and House speaker), workforce boards (appointed by the commission chair), and the business community (also appointed by the commission chair). Members serve rotating 4-year terms, meet twice yearly, and must submit an annual report to the legislature by January 1 of odd-numbered years. The council receives administrative support from the commission but no salary, with travel expenses reimbursed per state appropriations.

Maddy summarySB 2282 allows Texas public school districts to use existing career and technology education funds (from the Foundation School Program) to reimburse private employers for paying students in grades 11-12 who are enrolled in career programs. School districts must partner with community-based organizations to match students with paid internships that meet minimum wage requirements and serve educational goals, with the internships counting toward required practicum hours. The bill specifies that reimbursement funds must come from current career education allocations and requires contracts to ensure the public purpose of career training is maintained. It directly affects school districts, private employers offering internships, and high school students in career programs.

Maddy summarySB 2274 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to investigate complaints about air or water pollution from concrete plants and crushing facilities if signed by at least 500 residents living within 1.5 miles of the facility. The TCEQ must publicly post investigation updates online, allow a 30-day written public comment period, and share a final report including public feedback after the investigation concludes. If the TCEQ finds potential permit violations, it must hold a public hearing on revoking or suspending the facility's permit, with 14 days' online notice. This bill directly affects residents near these facilities, the TCEQ, and operators of concrete plants or crushing facilities under specific permits.

Maddy summarySB 2286 creates an oversight advisory council to review Texas foster care placement practices and complaints. The council, composed of seven members (including foster parents, religious organizations, law enforcement, and community representatives), advises the state's child welfare agency and examines foster care placement systems. It must meet at least twice yearly, review complaints about children in state conservatorship, and submit annual reports with recommendations to the agency and legislature by December 1 each even-numbered year. The bill directly affects the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and children in foster care by establishing a formal review process for placement decisions. The council serves without pay, with staggered four-year terms for members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house.

Maddy summarySB 2294 creates a franchise tax credit for businesses that open grocery stores or "healthy corner stores" (under 2,000 sq. ft.) in designated Texas food deserts - areas with limited healthy food access in low-income communities. To qualify, stores must be located in a food desert, accept WIC and SNAP benefits within 90 days of opening, operate year-round, and meet specific space requirements for fresh food. Businesses must obtain certification from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs before claiming the credit. This policy directly supports new grocery operations in underserved areas, aiming to improve access to affordable fresh food.

Maddy summarySB 2280 requires campus or campus program charter schools in Texas to follow the same financial rules as open-enrollment charter schools. It directly affects these specific charter school entities by mandating compliance with existing financial oversight provisions. Key mechanisms include requiring audits (Sec. 12.1163), regulating related-party transactions (Sec. 12.1166), mandating financial reports (Sec. 12.1168), prohibiting certain loans/contracts with management companies (Sec. 12.124), and applying management service contract rules (Secs. 12.125-12.126). The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.