Sen. Lois Kolkhorst

Maddy summarySB 1484 prevents restaurants and food sellers from mislabeling non-catfish fish as catfish. It specifically prohibits calling basa, tra, or swai (fish similar to catfish but not true catfish) "catfish" and requires clear labeling of the actual species and country of origin for those products. The law applies to restaurants, food suppliers, wholesalers, distributors, and wholesale distributors. Violations could result in administrative penalties for misleading consumers about fish products.

Maddy summarySB 18 prohibits Texas municipal libraries from receiving state or public funds if they host events where a person presenting as the opposite gender (e.g., a man presenting as a woman or woman presenting as a man) reads to minors for entertainment, with the gender presentation being a primary component of the event. Libraries hosting such events would lose funding for the fiscal year following the event. The law applies only to events occurring on or after September 1, 2025, and affects municipal libraries receiving state or public funds. It directly targets funding for specific library programming involving gender presentation in children's events. The bill does not restrict library access or content generally, only funding tied to these defined events.

Maddy summarySB 2063 modifies Texas property tax procedures by restricting evidence used in appeals claiming unequal appraisal. It prohibits property owners protesting solely on unequal appraisal grounds from presenting market value evidence to appraisal review boards or courts. The bill also updates how comparable property values are calculated for such appeals, requiring use of the appraisal district's market value under specific statutory limitations. These changes apply only to protests filed on or after January 1, 2026, with prior cases governed by existing law. The bill directly affects property owners challenging tax assessments based on unequal appraisal without claiming overvaluation.

Maddy summarySB 1585 would prohibit Texas government entities (including state agencies and local governments) from entering contracts with companies owned by countries designated as threats to critical infrastructure. It specifically targets companies providing information and communications technology (like cybersecurity systems) or services for critical infrastructure such as power grids, water treatment facilities, and hazardous waste systems. Violations would trigger civil penalties and potentially criminal charges. The law defines "designated countries" as those identified by the governor after consulting with the public safety director.

Maddy summarySB 1163 modifies Texas property tax protest hearing procedures. It allows property owners or their agents to request one postponement without needing to explain why, as long as they ask before the hearing date. The bill also requires appraisal review boards to reschedule hearings if owners show "good cause" (like scheduling conflicts) or if the chief appraiser agrees. Additionally, owners who miss a hearing can request a new one within four days by explaining their absence, including if they were attending another hearing with the same board simultaneously. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 3058 authorizes the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District to use fees collected from water exports to improve county roads needed for inspecting district wells and develop environmental programs related to groundwater. The bill adds Section 8865.1025 to the Local Laws Code, requiring the district to enter annual agreements with counties for these projects, approved by the district board. It also clarifies that fees under Section 8865.151(d) can fund these specific road and environmental programs, in addition to operating costs. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting the district, counties with wells in its area, and groundwater management programs.

Maddy summarySB 315 establishes that individuals have an exclusive property right in their unique DNA, meaning no one can collect, test, keep, alter, sell, or share another person’s DNA without their informed, written consent (except for emergency medical care, paternity testing, or law enforcement needs). The bill creates civil penalties for violations, calculated based on profits gained or harm caused, and allows the attorney general to seek court orders to stop violations. It also makes unauthorized DNA use a Class A misdemeanor if done with criminal negligence. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not apply to DNA collected before that date.

Maddy summarySB 2035 prohibits political committees from making contributions, expenditures, or related activities supporting or opposing ballot measures (such as proposed state laws or constitutional amendments). It directly affects political committees and individuals seeking to influence voter decisions on these measures. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations and imposes civil fines. Its key purpose is to limit financial influence on ballot measure campaigns by banning specific political spending related to them.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 310 (SB 310) changes how majority votes are counted in certain elections. It requires candidates for public office or party nominations to receive more than half of the votes cast in the initial ballot - banning the use of ranked-choice voting systems to reassign votes and determine a majority. The bill directly affects elections for Texas state offices and political party nominations where a majority is required. It takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2361 transfers governance, control, management, and property of the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M University System. This change makes UHV a component institution of the Texas A&M System, placing it under the oversight of the Texas A&M Board of Regents, which will assume all governing powers and duties. Existing rules and contracts for UHV remain in effect until the Texas A&M Board adopts new policies. The bill directly affects UHV's operations, staff, students, and the administrative structures of both university systems.