Sen. Borris Miles

Maddy summarySB 1142 prohibits health benefit plan issuers in Texas from requiring preauthorization for specific covered medical services. The bill directly affects insurance companies and their enrollees by eliminating preapproval barriers for: screening mammograms, diagnostic imaging, breast reconstruction/surgery/prostheses, inpatient care, diabetes equipment/supplies/training, and bone mass measurements for osteoporosis screening. Key provisions amend multiple sections of the Insurance Code to mandate that insurers cover these services without prior authorization. The law does not change coverage requirements but removes a common administrative hurdle for patients seeking these medically necessary treatments.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (SR 116) passed by the Texas Senate to honor the late Eddie Bernice Johnson, a pioneering public servant who died in 2023. The resolution recognizes her legacy as the first Black woman elected to the Texas House (1972), the first Black person to serve in the Texas Senate since Reconstruction (1986), and a 15-term U.S. Congresswoman representing Texas. It highlights her career as a nurse, her advocacy for women and children, and her authorship of over 175 enacted bills during her congressional service. The resolution serves as a formal tribute to her life and impact on Texas and national policy.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 117) honoring State Representative Harold V. Dutton, Jr. on his 80th birthday. It recognizes his 40-year legislative career in the Texas House, including his service as chair of multiple committees and his sponsorship of initiatives supporting minority businesses and public education. The resolution, adopted by the Texas Senate, expresses congratulations and best wishes for his birthday and includes a formal copy for him. It has no policy impact or legal effect.

Maddy summarySR 98 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing Senator Judith Zaffirini on her birthday. It honors her service as Dean of the Texas Senate - the longest-serving and highest-ranking member - and acknowledges her historic role as the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas Senate. The resolution celebrates her 38 years of legislative service, including over 72,000 consecutive votes since 1987, and her work on health care, education, and family support. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is purely a tribute with no legislative action required.

Maddy summarySB 885 limits who can request a public hearing from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) about concrete plant construction. It specifies that only representatives of schools, places of worship, licensed day-care centers, hospitals, nursing facilities, or medical facilities - and residents living within 440 yards of the proposed plant - may request such a hearing. The bill reduces the previous 880-yard radius for resident eligibility and requires the TCEQ to create rules defining who qualifies as a representative for certain facilities. This change applies only to new permit applications submitted to the TCEQ on or after the effective date of these rules (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote).

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 66) designates February 11, 2025, as "University of Houston Day" to recognize the institution's contributions. It acknowledges the university's role in education (46,600+ students, 281 programs), research ($230M annual expenditures), health care (450,000+ patient care hours), and athletics (Big 12 Conference sports). As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect but formally honors the university's impact on Texas. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 11, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the permitted uses of funds transferred annually from Texas's general revenue to the state highway fund. Currently, these funds can only be used for public roadways (excluding toll roads), public transportation, bicycle paths, and sidewalks. The amendment would allow additional uses beyond these current categories, though specific new uses are not detailed in the text. If approved by voters in the November 2025 election, this change would require a constitutional amendment vote. The bill does not alter the existing restrictions on toll roads or the transfer process.

Maddy summarySB 817 amends Texas Health and Safety Code sections to establish new air quality permit requirements for certain concrete plants and crushing facilities. It prohibits construction within 880 yards of residential areas for facilities performing wet/dry batching or central mixing, and mandates specific pollution controls including enclosed conveying systems, special filters meeting strict emissions standards (no visible emissions exceeding 30 seconds in 5 minutes), and on-site production records for two years. The bill directly affects concrete plants and crushing facilities operating in or near residential zones, requiring them to meet these new environmental standards to obtain or amend permits. These changes aim to reduce air pollution from industrial concrete operations while maintaining operational requirements for affected facilities.

Maddy summarySB 820 creates a statewide sickle cell disease registry within Texas' Health and Safety Code. It requires hospitals and other healthcare facilities treating sickle cell disease patients to submit case data to the Department of Health, which will compile this information into a single, centralized database. The registry must include all cases in Texas and other relevant data to aid treatment and research, while strictly protecting patient confidentiality under HIPAA and Texas law. The department will analyze the data, publish findings for medical professionals and the public, and submit annual reports to the legislature, with the law taking effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 289 creates a new Texas Medicaid program that shifts health coverage for eligible low-income residents to private health insurance marketplaces instead of the traditional Medicaid system. It sets eligibility for individuals with household income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level, children under 19 in foster care or receiving Supplemental Security Income, or those meeting pre-2025 eligibility standards. The bill requires the state to provide sliding-scale subsidies to help eligible individuals purchase private health plans, with subsidy amounts based on average premiums and the individual's ability to pay, plus additional subsidies for cost-sharing like copayments. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will administer the program and the bill requires a fee (specific fee details are not provided in the text).