Sen. Lois Kolkhorst

Maddy summaryHB 1690 would have required groundwater conservation districts in Texas to adopt rules mandating specific notice procedures for applicants seeking permits to transfer groundwater out of their district. The bill required applicants to pay for certified mail notices to adjacent districts, county commissioners courts in affected areas, and publish notices in local newspapers. This directly affected entities applying for groundwater transfer permits and the districts reviewing those applications. The bill was introduced in the Texas Legislature, passed both chambers, but was vetoed by the Governor on June 22, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 1883 updates rules for Texas local governments regarding land use planning and development impact fees. It requires cities and counties to make land use assumptions and capital improvement plans publicly available at least 60 days before hearings on these plans. The bill mandates a two-thirds vote for approving impact fees and prohibits increasing those fees for three years after adoption or the last increase. These changes aim to improve transparency and limit frequent fee hikes for new construction projects.

Maddy summarySB 1388 establishes the Thriving Texas Families Program, a statewide initiative under the Health and Human Services Commission that provides community outreach, consultation, and care coordination for women facing unexpected pregnancies. The program offers "life-affirming" alternatives to abortion through support services, directly affecting pregnant individuals seeking non-abortion options. Key provisions define terms like "abortion services provider" (broadly including those who refer for abortion, fund travel, or provide related information) and "network contractor" (entities delivering program services), shaping eligibility and service delivery. The law, effective September 1, 2025, replaces the previous "alternatives to abortion" program with this new framework.

Maddy summaryHCR 156 is a procedural resolution instructing the House enrolling clerk to correct a technical error in House Bill 140. Specifically, it directs the clerk to strike Section 2 of H.B. 140 and renumber the remaining sections accordingly. This correction affects the official enrolled version of H.B. 140, ensuring its numbering aligns with the final adopted text. The resolution was passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, finalizing the correction.

Maddy summarySB 1733 reduces the Calhoun Port Authority board from seven to six commissioners. It changes the election structure so one commissioner is elected at-large by all voters, while six are elected from specific geographic precincts within the authority. The bill also adds requirements that commissioners must be residents of their precinct or the entire authority and own property there. This law took effect immediately after the governor signed it on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 260 increases funding for school safety in Texas public schools under the Foundation School Program. It raises the per-student allotment from $10 to $20 per student in average daily attendance and doubles the campus safety allotment from $15,000 to $30,000 per school campus. These changes apply to all Texas public school districts and take effect September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects school funding formulas by increasing state support for safety resources at both the student and campus levels. The policy change provides additional state funds specifically designated for school safety measures.

Maddy summarySB 38 amends Texas Property Code to clarify procedures for eviction lawsuits involving tenants who lack legal right to occupy property. It specifies that justice courts must handle eviction cases in the precinct where the property is located, with limited circumstances allowing case transfers to adjacent precincts (e.g., if service delays occur or trials cannot be scheduled within 21 days). The bill prohibits courts from charging additional filing or service fees when transferring cases and explicitly states that eviction courts cannot rule on property title disputes or allow separate claims against third parties. This affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings by streamlining court processes and limiting judicial overreach.

Maddy summaryHB 5437 validates the creation of Austin County Municipal Utility District No. 1 and confirms all actions taken related to its establishment, including a November 2, 2021 election that approved bonds for water, sewage, drainage, and road infrastructure, as well as the election of permanent directors. The bill confirms the legal status of these past actions, removing potential challenges to the district's formation and its bond issuances. It directly affects Austin County residents served by the utility district and ensures the district's operations and financing remain legally sound. This is a procedural validation bill with no new policy requirements, solely confirming prior lawful actions.

Maddy summaryHB 3486 allows restaurants in Texas to reduce the sales tax they owe by $5 for every 100 Texas farm-raised oysters they purchase for preparation and service. It directly affects restaurants that own food service establishments and buy oysters cultivated in Texas waters under state and federal regulations. The bill creates a specific tax deduction applied to taxable sales, calculated per oyster purchase, rather than changing the overall tax rate. This policy change takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies only to oysters grown and harvested within Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 1612 requires hospitals to accept direct payment from patients who are not enrolled in a health benefit plan (e.g., uninsured individuals) for covered health care services. Hospitals must accept full payment within 60 days of the patient receiving a bill or final accounting. This applies to licensed hospitals but excludes ambulatory surgical centers. The law gives uninsured patients a direct payment option without requiring them to navigate insurance billing processes.