Sen. Borris Miles

Maddy summarySB 2272 requires businesses applying for air quality permits for concrete crushing facilities or concrete plants (performing wet/dry batching or central mixing) to submit a community growth analysis. This applies only to facilities located in unincorporated county areas within one mile of a residential subdivision with at least 500 lots where construction hasn’t started. The analysis must assess the facility’s potential social and economic impacts on future residential communities and ensure compliance with air quality regulations. The requirement takes effect for permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2270 requires concrete plants (including those doing wet batching, dry batching, or central mixing) to include detailed plot plans when renewing air quality permits. The plot plans must show property lines, emission points, a distance scale, north arrow, benchmark locations, and proof of required setbacks from other structures. The bill directs the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to adopt implementing rules by March 2026, with the law taking effect September 2025. This applies specifically to permit renewals for concrete facilities, not general air quality regulations.

Maddy summarySB 2281 requires Texas public colleges and universities to designate a liaison officer to support students who are homeless or were in foster care. The liaison must help these students access resources like housing, financial aid, and counseling, and assist with transitions from high school to college. The bill also creates a temporary housing option between academic terms for eligible students. It defines "homeless students" to include those without housing during breaks, even if living in campus housing during terms.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 326) recognizes March 25, 2025, as "Houston Minority Supplier Development Council Day" in the Texas State Capitol. It honors the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) for its 50+ years of supporting minority-owned businesses across the Texas Gulf Coast. The resolution specifically welcomes HMSDC representatives to Austin for a Capitol event on that date and provides them with an official copy as a gesture of recognition. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 325) is a ceremonial gesture by the Texas Senate to honor Brentwood Baptist Church in Houston. It recognizes the church's founding in 1965, its growth under Pastor Joe Samuel Ratliff, and its community programs like the Doris Gardner Ratliff Center for Child Development. The Senate formally extends "sincere best wishes" to the church's members visiting the Capitol on March 25, 2025, and will provide an official copy of the resolution as a token of respect. No policy changes or financial obligations are involved.

Maddy summarySB 2085 prohibits Texas driver's license renewal denials for three specific reasons: failure to appear in court, failure to pay fines/costs, or failure to satisfy a court judgment. The bill amends the Transportation Code to explicitly prevent the Department of Public Safety from using these factors when deciding on license renewals, effective September 1, 2025. It directly affects Texas drivers with outstanding court obligations who wish to renew their licenses. The bill repeals related sections (521.317, 521.3452(b), and Chapter 706) that previously allowed such denials. This is a substantive policy change, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summarySB 2086 prohibits parole officers in Texas from restricting job interviews for people recently released from prison (releasees). Specifically, it bans parole officers from limiting the number of job interviews a releasee can attend daily or requiring new approval for visits to locations where the releasee previously had approval for related purposes (like job interviews). The bill directly affects releasees seeking employment by removing these barriers during their reentry process. It becomes effective immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, otherwise. This policy change aims to improve employment access for individuals transitioning from incarceration.

Maddy summarySB 2084 amends Texas law to include grocery stores located in economically disadvantaged census tracts (as defined by Government Code Section 783.009(b)) within the definition of "public facility." This change allows public facility corporations to finance these grocery stores using sponsor obligations or bonds under Chapter 303 of the Local Government Code. The bill directly affects grocery stores operating in designated underserved census tracts, enabling new financing mechanisms to support their development or operation. The policy change takes effect September 1, 2025, but does not create new funding or alter existing eligibility requirements beyond the definition update.

Maddy summarySB 2087 requires the Texas Department of State Health Services to include new data in its biennial immunization reports about access disparities. The bill mandates reporting on immunization accessibility by county, broken down by age, race, disability, and geographic location (without identifying individuals), plus assessments of these disparities. It also requires the reports to include economic benefit estimates from reducing access gaps and specific recommendations for both reducing disparities and increasing immunization rates. This affects how the state tracks and addresses inequities in vaccine access across Texas communities.

Maddy summarySB 2088 expands Medicaid coverage for counseling services in Texas by allowing recipients to select certain associate-level providers who are training toward full licensure. Specifically, it permits Medicaid beneficiaries to choose licensed marriage and family therapist associates, licensed master social workers pursuing clinical licensure, and licensed professional counselor associates. The bill requires Medicaid to reimburse these providers at 70% of the rate paid to fully licensed psychiatrists or psychologists for similar services. This change directly affects Medicaid recipients seeking counseling and the associate providers who will now qualify for reimbursement under the program.