Maddy summarySB 2839, the "Jovian Motley Act," requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to provide annual training on de-escalation, crisis intervention, and behavioral health to correctional officers, their supervisors, and other TDCJ staff who interact with inmates. The training must cover effective communication, alternatives to physical restraints, techniques to limit force-related injuries, suicide prevention, awareness of behavioral health conditions, and access to employee assistance programs. TDCJ must implement this training in all new officer orientation and complete it annually for affected staff by December 1, 2025, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025. This bill directly affects over 10,000 TDCJ employees working in correctional facilities across Texas.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill), passed by the Texas Senate on March 27, 2025, to recognize March 27, 2025, as "CASA Day" at the State Capitol. It honors the Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) network, which relies on volunteer advocates to support children in foster care by making court recommendations and addressing their needs. The resolution commends CASA for its work serving nearly 18,000 youth annually across 74 programs in Texas. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or alter policies - it simply expresses the Senate’s appreciation for CASA’s advocacy efforts.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 24-28, 2025, as Texas Retired Teachers Week to honor the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). It recognizes TRTA’s 100,000+ members for their volunteer work (over 6 million hours annually), contributions to education (including 1.7+ million books donated to children’s programs), and economic impact through retirement payments. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely ceremonial recognition by the Texas Senate. The Senate formally adopted it on March 26, 2025, and will provide the TRTA with a copy as a gesture of appreciation.
Maddy summarySB 2396 requires owners or operators of residential child detention facilities - private facilities housing unaccompanied immigrant or refugee children under federal contracts - to conduct background checks on all staff if state funding covers at least 10% of their operating expenses. The bill allows facilities to access criminal history records for employment screening but mandates destruction of those records within 180 days or after employment probation, whichever is later. It also requires facilities to create a written agreement with local governments to report health issues, share safety and education plans, and provide occupancy and incident data to authorities. Facilities failing to conduct required background checks lose eligibility for state funding until a public audit report is published. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, with the written agreement required by December 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas criminal procedure law to add a new requirement for sureties (bondspeople) surrendering a defendant's bond in felony cases. Specifically, for felony charges under the Penal Code, sureties must now notify the state's attorney handling the case before filing a surrender affidavit. The change applies only to felony cases and adds this notification step to the existing process for surrendering a defendant. This update aims to improve communication between sureties and prosecutors during bond forfeiture procedures.
Maddy summarySB 19 would restrict political subdivisions (such as cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofits that primarily represent political subdivisions and employ registered lobbyists. The bill permits exceptions for activities like providing legislative information, testifying, or conducting bill analysis without requiring lobbyist registration. Taxpayers could also seek court orders to halt prohibited spending and recover related costs. This legislation aims to limit public funding for lobbying efforts while preserving direct communication with lawmakers.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 2193) appropriates specific funds from the state's general budget to pay 18 pre-existing claims against Texas for administrative errors, such as voided refunds or warrants. It directs payments to entities like Baylor Scott & White Health, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, and county treasurers for corrections to previously issued refunds (e.g., $188,045.17 for a void franchise tax refund). The bill does not create new policies but authorizes the state to settle these exact, listed claims using designated funds. It affects only the specific claimants named and the state's accounting for these resolved obligations.
Maddy summarySB 2191 is a procedural bill that would automatically terminate most new state funds created by the 2025 Texas Legislature by August 31, 2025, redirecting their money to general revenue unless specifically exempted. Key exemptions include funds required by federal law, existing trust accounts, bond funds, and constitutional dedications. This affects all state agencies (except universities) by changing how they manage dedicated revenue streams created during the 89th Legislature. The bill does not create new policies but establishes a sunset for newly created financial mechanisms.
Maddy summarySB 2140 amends Texas tax law to include e-cigarettes as taxable "tobacco products" under the existing cigars and tobacco tax. It expands the definition of "tobacco product" to explicitly cover e-cigarettes (as defined in health code) and clarifies that unpackaged tobacco products are still subject to tax as if packaged. This bill affects sellers of tobacco products, including e-cigarette manufacturers and retailers, by extending the tax to e-cigarettes and ensuring unpackaged items are taxed. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 2192 allows Texas state agencies administering health and human services programs (like Medicaid, TANF, and child health programs) to streamline operations and reduce administrative costs. It authorizes agencies to consolidate reports, extend licenses, use electronic communications, and modify eligibility processes - while complying with federal law - to improve efficiency. Specifically, it permits agencies to adopt additional eligibility requirements for programs under Chapters 31-33 of the Human Resources Code and Chapters 540-540A of the Government Code. The bill directly affects agencies like the Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of Family and Protective Services by expanding their administrative flexibility. It does not create new benefits or alter program funding but focuses on operational adjustments to manage state fiscal responsibilities.