Sen. Bob Hall

Maddy summaryThis bill requires government agencies with eminent domain authority (like cities or utility companies) to send property owners certified mail copies of all appraisals used to value their land within the past 10 years when making an initial offer to buy it. If they fail to disclose these appraisals, they must pay the owner's reasonable attorney fees incurred during the acquisition process. The rule applies only to new acquisition offers made on or after September 1, 2025, not to deals finalized before that date. It directly affects property owners receiving such offers and aims to increase transparency in eminent domain proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 2198 designates a specific section of State Highway 34 in Kaufman County (between Kings Creek Drive and North Frances Street) as the "Officer Jacob Candanoza Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of this highway segment and at intermediate points along the route. This is a commemorative measure honoring Officer Jacob Candanoza, with no policy changes or affected parties beyond the highway designation. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3096 designates March 17 as "Profound Autism Awareness Day" in Texas to highlight the needs of individuals with profound autism. The bill specifically recognizes that people with profound autism often require lifelong care, face severe communication challenges, and are frequently excluded from support programs. It encourages state agencies and communities to observe the day through ceremonies and resource-sharing, without creating new programs or funding. The law took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 55 is a ceremonial resolution designating Poteet, Texas, as the official "Strawberry Capital of Texas" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It formally recognizes Poteet's historical connection to strawberry farming, dating back to 1911, and its annual Strawberry Festival - which draws 100,000 visitors and contributes $12 million annually to the local economy. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or regulations; it is purely symbolic, reaffirming a longstanding community tradition. This designation aligns with Texas Government Code Section 391.003(e), which limits such designations to a 10-year term.

Maddy summarySB 511 prohibits state and local government employees from distributing voter registration forms to people who did not request them. It also bans using public funds to help others distribute such forms. Political parties and candidates may still distribute these forms unsolicited, but government employees violating these rules face a Class A misdemeanor charge. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1978 requires electric utilities and cooperatives in Texas to obtain approval from the Public Utility Commission before connecting facilities within the ERCOT power grid (Texas' grid) to facilities outside Texas or connected to outside facilities. Specifically, they must first get a commission determination that the interconnection aligns with free market principles and avoids federal control of the Texas grid, and second, comply with existing utility regulations. The bill mandates that this approval request be filed at least 180 days before seeking any federal energy commission order related to the connection. It exempts facilities already operational as of December 31, 2014, from these requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1073 prevents Texas licensing authorities from imposing rules or penalties that discriminate against or burden applicants or licensed attorneys based on sincerely held religious beliefs, free speech (including religious or political views), religious organization membership, or freedom of association. It prohibits policies that limit license eligibility or renewal due to these protected rights, while allowing exceptions for rules strictly necessary to serve a compelling government purpose or address willful bias in legal proceedings. The bill directly affects law license applicants and holders in Texas by ensuring their constitutional rights cannot be infringed through licensing decisions. Violations can be challenged in administrative or court proceedings, though this defense cannot be used in cases involving sexual misconduct allegations or criminal prosecutions.

Maddy summarySB 1396 prohibits Texas public school districts and charter schools from adopting or using national sex education standards, such as those developed by the Future of Sex Education Initiative, in human sexuality or health curricula. The bill amends education code to require that any course materials on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases must emphasize abstinence as the preferred choice for unmarried students, dedicate more instructional time to abstinence than other topics, and teach contraception using real-world effectiveness rates instead of laboratory rates. School boards must select these materials with input from local health advisory councils, and the law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects curriculum decisions in all Texas public schools offering health education.

Maddy summarySB 2207 prohibits the Texas Medical Board from regulating how physicians advertise their certification as "board certified" if the certification comes from specific organizations. It applies to physicians certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists, or other organizations meeting strict criteria like equivalent certification standards, peer review, and minimum membership. The bill also bans the Texas Medical Board from charging fees or requiring applications from qualifying certifying organizations. This law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes where civil penalties from massage therapy violations are deposited. If a county attorney collects penalties under the law, the funds go to the county's general fund. If a city attorney collects penalties, the funds go to the city's general fund. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025. (Procedural bill affecting fund allocation, not regulatory changes.)