Sen. Lois Kolkhorst

Maddy summarySB 758 updates Texas law to clarify which entities qualify as "governmental bodies" under the public information law (Government Code § 552.003). It explicitly adds specific groups like school district boards, county boards of education, water district governing boards, and local workforce development boards to the definition. The bill also excludes certain economic development entities from the definition if they meet strict criteria, such as not receiving over $1 million in public funds annually or lacking authority over tax incentives. This definition change applies only to public information requests received on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 49 amends Texas law to change how public junior colleges receive state funding based on student outcomes. It establishes three specific metrics for evaluating colleges: (1) the number of "credentials of value" (degrees/certificates leading to better jobs, with extra weight for high-demand occupations), (2) the number of students transferring to four-year colleges or completing structured co-enrollment programs, and (3) the number of students completing dual credit courses that count toward college degrees. These metrics will directly affect Texas public junior college districts by determining their state funding levels. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, but remains pending in committee as of the latest update.

Maddy summarySB 2434 requires Texas gas utilities to prioritize natural gas deliveries to natural-gas-fired power plants during supply shortages, placing them at the same priority level as hospitals, water facilities, and other essential services. This directly affects gas utilities and natural-gas-powered electricity generators by mandating that these power plants receive gas before non-essential commercial or industrial customers during shortages. The bill defines "human needs customers" to include these power plants under Section 121.159 of the Utilities Code. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter existing priorities for residential or emergency services.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 454), not a substantive bill. It formally recognizes April 16, 2025, as "Refugio County Day" at the Texas State Capitol, welcoming the county's delegation to Austin. The resolution highlights Refugio County's history, agricultural economy, and local leadership without creating any new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition, with the Senate pledging to send a copy of the resolution to Refugio County.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 447) recognizes April 24, 2025, as "Reman Day" in Texas. It acknowledges the Remanufacturing Industries Council's initiative to highlight remanufacturing's environmental and economic benefits, such as diverting waste from landfills and supporting jobs (citing a 2012 report noting 180,000 U.S. jobs in 2011). The resolution does not create new laws or policies but encourages Texans to learn about remanufacturing's role in sustainability and economic growth. It directly affects Texas residents by promoting awareness of this industrial process.

Maddy summarySB 1200 requires claimants (plaintiffs) and their attorneys to disclose any direct or indirect funding received from individuals, entities, or governments affiliated with nations under U.S. sanctions or embargoes in civil lawsuits involving U.S. defense contractors. This applies to all such cases, mandating initial disclosures under Texas Rule 194, ongoing updates during the lawsuit, and sworn filings with the court. The bill prohibits withholding this information on grounds of privilege or confidentiality. It directly affects plaintiffs, attorneys, and defense contractors in civil litigation by adding new transparency requirements to Texas law.

Maddy summarySB 14, titled the Regulatory Reform and Efficiency Act, creates the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office within the governor's office to streamline how state agencies develop and review regulations. The office will help agencies identify unnecessary rules, reduce costs for businesses and individuals, and establish a public online portal for searching regulatory information. This bill directly affects state agencies that create regulations and the public who interact with those regulations. The new office will operate until 2037 unless extended under the Sunset Act, with its work focused on improving regulatory efficiency and transparency.

Maddy summarySB 2583 designates the Waco Center for Youth as a residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed juveniles who are either admitted under a specific state program or under the conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The bill requires the state department to provide free education services to all juveniles at this facility and fund those services using appropriated funds. It also specifies that non-resident juveniles at the facility may only receive education services from the Waco Independent School District with the superintendent’s prior approval. The bill would take effect immediately if passed by a two-thirds vote, otherwise on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1977 limits how electric and water utilities can recover legal costs in rate cases. It prohibits utilities from getting reimbursement for expenses related to frivolous municipal legal actions (like unwarranted discovery requests) or conduct intended to harass or delay proceedings. The bill caps utility legal expense reimbursements at $500,000 plus 50% of costs exceeding that amount, and disallows reimbursement for costs stemming from the utility's own frivolous conduct. Exceptions apply if non-utility intervenors (like other groups) cause reasonable legal expenses. This directly affects utilities seeking rate increases and municipalities participating in those proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 1874) grants immunity to school district professional employees (like teachers and counselors) from disciplinary actions for specific actions related to student discipline. It protects employees who report violations of student discipline rules to other staff, agencies, or law enforcement, and those who remove disruptive students from class under existing rules (Section 37.002) in good faith. The immunity applies to both school district disciplinary proceedings and actions by the State Board for Educator Certification. This provision is meant to supplement existing legal protections without altering other immunity rights.