Sen. Lois Kolkhorst

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the State of Texas to sell or lease two specific properties in Austin: 20.31 acres at 4400 Shoal Creek Boulevard (used by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission) and approximately 7.5 acres near Lamar Boulevard. Proceeds from these transactions must be deposited into a dedicated fund for capital improvements to the Sam Houston Regional Library and the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives Building. The sale or lease is contingent on constructing a new state records facility to replace the current library/records site. The fund will also support making original historical materials more publicly accessible.

Maddy summaryHCR 40 is a Texas legislative resolution urging Congress to reimburse the state for border security costs incurred under Operation Lone Star. It states Texas has spent billions since 2021 on this initiative - including surveillance, law enforcement support, and managing migration - resulting in over 516,000 apprehensions and 45,300 arrests. The resolution formally requests Congress assume responsibility for border security costs, directing Texas officials to send copies to the U.S. President and congressional leaders. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create law but serves as a formal request to federal lawmakers.

Maddy summarySB 961 requires the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to conduct regular electronic data matches to verify Medicaid recipients' eligibility, directly affecting Medicaid beneficiaries. Key provisions mandate monthly checks for lottery winnings, death records, and out-of-state benefit transactions, plus quarterly reviews of voter registration cancellations to detect potential residency changes. The bill prohibits waiving these verification requirements and bans accepting self-attested income, residency, or citizenship details for Medicaid eligibility. These measures aim to prevent fraud by ensuring ongoing accuracy in benefit eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 3772 requires manufacturers of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes sold in Texas to annually certify compliance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements, such as holding FDA marketing authorization or having submitted a premarket application by a specific deadline. The bill establishes a state directory of manufacturers and products, maintained by the comptroller, to track these certifications. It authorizes fees for maintaining the directory and imposes administrative, civil, and criminal penalties for violations. This law directly affects manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of nicotine e-cigarettes in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 505 creates a formal process for certain election participants - such as candidates, party chairs, election judges, and political committee heads - to request explanations from county clerks about election irregularities. Under Section 280.001, these individuals can seek written explanations for issues like voting discrepancies or documentation gaps within 20 days, with a follow-up request allowed if unsatisfied (requiring a 10-day response). If unresolved, they may escalate to the Secretary of State for an audit within 30 days (Section 280.002), requiring submission of prior requests and responses. The bill directly affects those actively involved in elections as defined in the text, focusing on transparency in addressing irregularities rather than imposing penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 186 prohibits children under 18 from using social media platforms in Texas, subject to federal law. The bill defines "social media platform" to exclude email, internet service providers, news websites, and interactive gaming platforms. Social media platforms must verify users are 18 or older before account creation using a reasonable method relying on public or private data, then delete all verification information immediately. This law directly affects children under 18 and social media companies operating in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 2306 requires licensed child-placing agencies in Texas to post an itemized list of all adoption costs on their public website. This applies directly to adoption agencies, making cost transparency mandatory for prospective adoptive families. The law mandates that agencies display every cost associated with an adoption, such as fees, legal expenses, or agency charges, in a clear, itemized format. It takes effect on September 1, 2025, and is now law after being signed by the Governor on May 27, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2420 requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages using reasonable methods and assign them to specific categories: child (<13), younger teenager (13-15), older teenager (16-17), or adult (18+). It mandates parental consent for minors' accounts and defines key terms like "personal data" and "mobile device." The law directly affects app store operators serving Texas residents, with requirements taking effect January 1, 2026. This bill creates the "App Store Accountability Act" within Texas law to regulate age-based access to mobile applications.

Maddy summarySB 2695, the Texas Cure Act, creates the Rural Admission Medical Program (RAMP) to address healthcare shortages in rural Texas. It provides scholarships and summer stipends to undergraduate students from counties with populations under 25,000, guaranteeing them admission to participating medical schools. The bill also aims to expand physician delegation of certain medical tasks to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in rural areas. These provisions directly affect rural students pursuing medical careers and healthcare providers in underserved counties. The program is administered by a council of medical schools and focuses on increasing rural physician recruitment and retention.

Maddy summarySB 1730 prevents civil lawsuits seeking damages for injuries or death resulting from the use of force or deadly force if the defendant was not criminally charged, had charges dismissed, or was acquitted in a criminal case. The bill requires claimants whose lawsuits are blocked under this law to pay the defendant’s court costs and reasonable attorney fees. It applies only to new cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect cases that accrued before that date. This bill directly impacts individuals seeking compensation from police or others who used force in situations where criminal proceedings did not result in charges.