Sen. Lois Kolkhorst

Maddy summarySB 871 amends Texas Government Code to clarify the authority of the governor, state agencies, and local governments during disasters and emergencies. It updates the definition of "disaster" to exclude civil unrest, riots, or insurrection, while explicitly including natural events like floods, earthquakes, and energy emergencies. The bill outlines specific purposes, such as improving coordination between state and local entities, reducing community vulnerability, and aligning with federal emergency management goals. This legislation directly affects state and local officials responsible for emergency response, recovery, and disaster preparedness planning.

Maddy summarySJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead exemption for school district property taxes in Texas from $100,000 to $140,000. This change would directly reduce the taxable value of a primary residence for school taxes, lowering property tax bills for homeowners. The amendment requires voter approval in a November 2025 election to take effect for the 2025 tax year. If passed, it would provide an additional $40,000 in tax relief on primary homes for school funding purposes.

Maddy summarySB 990 amends Texas law to impose enhanced penalties for specific murder cases. It targets offenders who commit murder under nine defined aggravating circumstances, including killing police/firefighters on duty, murdering during other serious crimes (like burglary or robbery), hiring hitmen, killing children under 15, or killing someone in retaliation for their judicial role. The bill does not change general murder penalties but increases punishment severity for these specific scenarios. It directly affects individuals convicted of murder meeting any of these listed conditions. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySB 27 modifies Texas education law to protect public school educators' rights and provide financial support. It requires salary reductions for unpaid leave to be calculated using annual salary divided by expected workdays (affecting teachers, counselors, and librarians), waives certification exam fees for first-time applicants in special education and bilingual programs, and prevents sanctions against educators who leave probationary contracts after the 45th day before school starts due to serious illness or spouse relocation. The bill directly impacts educators seeking certification and those on probationary contracts, while also directing the Texas Education Agency to cover exam fees for qualifying applicants. These changes aim to reduce financial barriers and provide clearer protections for educators during employment transitions.

Maddy summarySB 524 repeals three specific provisions from a previous law (S.B. 938, 2021) that would have exempted veteran-owned businesses from franchise tax and certain filing fees starting January 1, 2026. The bill cancels these planned exemptions, meaning veteran-owned businesses will not receive the tax relief originally scheduled under the repealed sections. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, before the previous exemptions were set to begin. The bill directly affects businesses owned by veterans in Texas that would have qualified for the repealed tax benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 4271 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to hold a public meeting in the county where a composting facility is proposed or located, upon request by a local state legislator representing that area. This applies to facilities needing a TCEQ permit, registration, or notification. The bill adds this procedural requirement to the Health and Safety Code, ensuring community input is formally included in the authorization process. It directly affects TCEQ staff, local legislators, and residents in counties with proposed composting projects. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySJR 34 proposes adding Section 37 to the Texas Constitution to affirm parents' inherent right to make decisions about their children's upbringing, including care, custody, and control. It states the state cannot interfere with these parental rights unless the interference is essential for a compelling government interest and narrowly tailored to achieve that interest. If passed, this constitutional amendment would require voter approval in the November 2025 election, with the ballot phrased as supporting "parents as the primary decision-makers for their children." The bill directly affects parents' legal authority over child-rearing decisions and sets new constitutional limits on state intervention.

Maddy summarySB 1877 expands the Office of Public Utility Counsel's (OPUC) authority to access specific electricity market data from the Public Utility Commission, the ERCOT-certified organization, and electric utilities. The bill directly affects residential and small commercial electricity consumers by giving OPUC new data on reliability, generation resource adequacy, transmission planning, and system resiliency to better advocate for them. Key provisions require utilities and regulators to provide this data upon OPUC request, strengthening its ability to represent consumer interests in rate cases and disputes. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 2117 establishes the Texas Committee on Foreign Investment to review certain transactions involving foreign entities that affect Texas critical infrastructure, such as energy, water systems, or communications networks. It directly affects foreign entities (including non-U.S. citizens, foreign governments, or businesses from countries without U.S. trade agreements) seeking to acquire or control assets in these sectors. The bill requires these entities to submit transactions for review by the committee, with a civil penalty for non-compliance. Key provisions include defining "critical infrastructure" across 16 categories and mandating the committee’s review process for covered transactions. The bill does not block transactions but creates a regulatory framework for oversight.

Maddy summarySB 2530 amends Texas Insurance Code provisions affecting the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), which provides windstorm insurance in coastal areas. Key changes include: removing TWIA's obligation to pay insurance premium taxes (Section 1), banning TWIA from using funds to lobby for legislation with $10,000 fines for violations (Section 2), requiring headquarters to be located in specific coastal counties (Section 3), and establishing new funding mechanisms for disaster claim payments through public securities and member assessments (Sections 4-9). These provisions directly affect TWIA's financial operations, governance, and how it funds claims after hurricanes or other catastrophic events. The bill does not alter coverage for policyholders but changes TWIA's internal financial management and regulatory compliance.