Maddy summarySB 22 establishes the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund to provide financial support for film and television productions filmed in Texas. It requires the Music, Film, Television, and Multimedia Office to deny grants for projects containing "inappropriate content" or portraying Texas/Texans "in a negative fashion," while also prohibiting grants for pornography, news programming, religious content, non-commercial projects, and state advertising. The bill explicitly lists ineligible project types, including political ads, sporting events, and video games used in gambling. It creates a dedicated funding mechanism for eligible productions and authorizes the Office to administer grants using money from the incentive fund or other approved sources. The law directly affects production companies seeking financial support for qualifying Texas-based film and TV projects.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 3120 requires owners or operators of facilities housing unaccompanied immigrant children under federal contracts (like those with ICE or HHS) to conduct criminal background checks on staff applicants and employees. It permits these checks for employment screening only, prohibits using the results for any other purpose, and bans disclosure without consent or a court order. Facilities must destroy all such background information within 180 days of receiving it or after an employee's probationary period. The bill also mandates facilities to create agreements with local governments for reporting illnesses and health issues. This law directly affects private facilities contracted by federal agencies to house immigrant youth.
Maddy summarySB 1 is the Texas General Appropriations Bill for the 2026-2027 state budget cycle. It allocates state funds to multiple government agencies and programs, including those under General Government, Health and Human Services, and Education. The bill specifies funding amounts for operational expenses, personnel, and specific initiatives across these departments. It directly affects state agencies by providing their budget authority for the biennium, enabling them to deliver services as outlined in the appropriations. This bill focuses on funding allocation, not new policy creation.
Maddy summaryHB 500 reassigns existing state funds to specific programs without creating new revenue. It directs $40.4 million to crime victim compensation, $104.5 million to preserve historic state buildings (transferring from prior museum funds), $300 million for space research, and $100 million for courthouse preservation grants through the Texas Historical Commission. These funds come from unspent balances in existing appropriations, not new taxes or spending. The bill affects state agencies managing these programs and directly supports crime victims, historic preservation, and state infrastructure.
Maddy summarySB 260 increases funding for school safety in Texas public schools under the Foundation School Program. It raises the per-student allotment from $10 to $20 per student in average daily attendance and doubles the campus safety allotment from $15,000 to $30,000 per school campus. These changes apply to all Texas public school districts and take effect September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects school funding formulas by increasing state support for safety resources at both the student and campus levels. The policy change provides additional state funds specifically designated for school safety measures.
Maddy summarySB 38 amends Texas Property Code to clarify procedures for eviction lawsuits involving tenants who lack legal right to occupy property. It specifies that justice courts must handle eviction cases in the precinct where the property is located, with limited circumstances allowing case transfers to adjacent precincts (e.g., if service delays occur or trials cannot be scheduled within 21 days). The bill prohibits courts from charging additional filing or service fees when transferring cases and explicitly states that eviction courts cannot rule on property title disputes or allow separate claims against third parties. This affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings by streamlining court processes and limiting judicial overreach.
Maddy summaryHB 2073 increases criminal penalties for individuals who violate court orders or bond conditions in cases involving family violence, child abuse, sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking. It elevates certain violations from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony if the defendant was previously convicted of similar offenses or violated the order while armed. For repeat offenders or those who commit assault while violating the order, penalties rise to a third-degree felony. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change penalties for past violations.
Maddy summarySB 7 requires the Texas Water Development Board to coordinate planning for water infrastructure projects to maximize use of existing utility corridors and minimize land acquisition through eminent domain. It mandates the Board to develop standardized specifications for water infrastructure, ensure different water systems can connect and operate together, and recommend building extra capacity during construction to accommodate future projects. The bill directly affects water project developers, utilities, and local governments working with the Board on infrastructure planning and financing. Key provisions include creating interconnectivity standards and facilitating collaboration between project sponsors and transportation/utility entities.
Maddy summarySB 3031 changes Texas law to increase penalties for certain aggravated assault cases, making them first-degree felonies instead of second-degree. It specifically elevates the charge when the assault involves: using a deadly weapon causing serious injury to family members or causing brain/spine injuries; targeting public servants, witnesses, process servers, or security officers; discharging firearms at occupied buildings/vehicles; or occurring during a mass shooting. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect cases that occurred before that date. This law directly impacts defendants committing aggravated assault under these specified circumstances and provides enhanced legal protections for the affected victim groups.
Maddy summarySB 13 requires Texas school districts to provide parents with access to records about their child's school library materials, including books or digital resources checked out. It mandates that school libraries prohibit the acquisition of materials rated "sexually explicit" by vendors or deemed "harmful" under Texas law, and restricts access to content described as "pervasively vulgar" or "educationally unsuitable." The bill also creates local school library advisory councils to help develop library policies. These changes directly affect parents, school districts, and students by expanding parental oversight of library resources and setting new standards for library collections. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.