Sen. Lois Kolkhorst

Maddy summarySB 503 requires Texas livestock owners (cattle, hogs, sheep, goats) to register their animal identification marks - such as brands, tattoos, or electronic tags - electronically with county clerks. County clerks must maintain these records electronically and send copies to the Texas Animal Health Commission within 30 days of receipt. The bill updates existing law to mandate electronic record-keeping instead of paper, specifying details like the date of registration and placement location on animals. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting all livestock owners who must comply with the new registration system.

Maddy summarySB 1395 amends Texas law governing school district health advisory councils. It requires each school board trustee to appoint an equal number of council members, though districts may instead appoint certain members via majority board vote. The bill mandates that at least half of council members must be parents of enrolled students (not employed by the district or related to staff), and these parents must hold all leadership roles like chair or secretary. Councils must include voting members from specified community groups, such as health professionals, business leaders, and law enforcement, while allowing nonvoting members from organizations like nonprofits or clergy. The bill sets one-year terms for all members, with reappointment permitted.

Maddy summarySB 324 requires state contractors, local governments (political subdivisions), and private employers working with Texas state entities to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm employees' work authorization. The bill mandates that contractors must register with and maintain participation in E-Verify to secure or retain state contracts, with contracts including a certification statement about compliance. This policy directly affects businesses and government units doing work with Texas state agencies, requiring them to verify employee eligibility through the federal program rather than relying on other methods. The bill modifies Texas Government Code Chapter 2264 to enforce this requirement through contract terms and verification standards.

Maddy summarySB 229 prohibits auto dealers from increasing a vehicle's price or blocking payment methods when buyers use their own money or a loan from a third-party lender (not the dealer or its affiliate). It directly affects car buyers and dealers by banning price hikes for cash or independent financing, and preventing dealers from restricting these payment options. The law requires dealers to accept personal funds or third-party loans without added costs or false claims about payment restrictions. These rules apply only to new purchase agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural Senate Resolution (SR 367), not a substantive bill. It formally recognizes student interns from four Texas A&M University System programs who are supporting the Texas Senate during the 89th Legislative Session. The resolution specifically acknowledges interns in the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Internship Program, Public Policy Internship Program, Bush School Capstone Scholars Program, and Tarleton State University internship program. It commends these students for their service and dedication to public policy work, without creating any new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 407 would require Texas healthcare facilities to include conscience-based exemptions (including religious beliefs) in their policies for vaccine-preventable diseases. It mandates that facilities cannot reject such exemptions for any reason. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities (like hospitals and clinics) and patients seeking exemptions based on personal or religious beliefs. Key provisions amend existing law to specify that exemption policies must allow for conscience claims and prohibit facility refusal of these exemptions. The bill was reported adversely by the Health & Human Services Committee on April 22, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2253 modifies Texas teacher certification rules to require most public school classroom teachers to hold state-issued certificates by the 2029-2030 school year, with limited exceptions for non-core subjects in early grades during the 2026-2027 school year. It creates a $1,000 one-time incentive payment for school districts that certify new, initially uncertified teachers (hired 2022-2023) by the end of the 2025-2026 school year. The bill establishes four new teacher certification types (standard, enhanced, and two intern categories) with specific pathways for preparation and residency programs. These changes directly affect school districts, new teachers, and the Texas Education Agency's certification and funding processes under state law.

Maddy summarySB 425 creates a 13-member advisory committee within Texas' Department of Family and Protective Services to improve child and adult protective investigations. The committee will develop standardized policies, ensure due process compliance, create training programs, and address barriers in investigation practices across all jurisdictions. It directly affects the department's investigative procedures for abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases, aiming to increase accuracy and consistency regardless of a subject's race, gender, age, or socioeconomic status. The bill requires the committee to make recommendations on investigation methods, policy development, and public input, with a focus on data-informed approaches and legal compliance.

Maddy summarySB 3001 requires Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) to include nutrition counseling and instruction services in their contracts as an alternative to certain mental health or substance use disorder services. This means MCOs can offer nutrition services instead of other covered Medicaid services, but they cannot replace them with home-delivered meals, food prescriptions, or grocery support. The bill mandates annual reporting on how often these nutrition services are used and requires the state to consider their cost when setting MCO payment rates. It applies to new or renewed contracts starting September 1, 2025, and affects both MCOs and Medicaid beneficiaries seeking these services.

Maddy summarySB 884 establishes a shared savings program requiring health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider benefit plans in Texas to disclose average contracted rates paid to healthcare providers for covered services. The bill mandates that insurers create a public website showing monthly average rates for specific services and operate a toll-free number for enrollees to request this information. It applies only to medically necessary nonemergency care covered under HMOs (Chapter 843) or preferred provider plans (Chapter 1301). The program aims to increase transparency about provider payment rates, allowing consumers to compare costs directly. This bill was referred to the Health & Human Services Committee but was reported adversely on April 14, 2025.