Sen. Bob Hall

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a binding law) expressing Texas's support for strengthening economic ties with Israel. It urges the creation of a Texas Trade and Investment Office in Jerusalem to foster business connections, particularly with countries in the Abraham Accords or peace agreements with Israel. The resolution reaffirms Texas's existing trade relationship with Israel - where Texas ranks among top U.S. states for exports - and directs officials to share the resolution with state, federal, and Israeli leaders. It does not create new programs or allocate funding, serving only as a formal statement of support.

Maddy summarySB 400 requires Texas public school employees to obtain written parental consent before conducting psychological or psychiatric examinations, tests, or treatment of students. The bill defines these activities broadly to include surveys, check-ins, or screenings embedded in lessons, unless mandated by special education law. Parents must sign consent forms for their child to participate, with exceptions for general well-being check-ins that don’t require written permission. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and does not affect routine student wellness conversations. It directly affects all Texas public school students and their parents, changing how schools handle mental health-related student interactions.

Maddy summarySB 371 requires Texas public school districts to obtain written parental consent before providing human sexuality instruction to students. The bill mandates that schools must separately notify parents at least 14 days before instruction begins, with this request not bundled with other communications. It directly affects parents of students in Texas public schools and applies starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The law does not change existing curriculum content but adds a consent requirement for this specific instruction.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 88 amends the state's Penal Code to redefine "harmful material" for minors. The bill specifies that harmful material must: (1) appeal to a minor's interest in sex, nudity, or excretion; (2) be patently offensive to adult community standards regarding what is suitable for minors; and (3) lack redeeming social value for minors. This definition directly affects businesses, distributors, and individuals who sell, distribute, or display such material to minors. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 87 requires Texas public school districts to obtain written parental consent before students receive human sexuality instruction. This directly affects parents (who must provide consent), school districts (who must secure it), and students (whose participation depends on it). The bill mandates that consent requests must be separate from other notifications and sent to parents at least 14 days before instruction begins. It applies starting the 2025-2026 school year, with immediate effect if passed by a two-thirds vote. The law changes how schools deliver human sexuality education by adding a parental consent requirement.

Maddy summarySB 86 would require Texas public school districts to establish procedures for parents to file complaints about curriculum and receive written responses within 30 days. It prohibits schools from providing instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity to students and mandates that districts notify parents about changes to student health services or support. The bill also allows parents to sue school districts that fail to resolve complaints, with courts authorized to award damages and attorney fees. These provisions directly affect public school students, parents, and school districts across Texas, focusing on parental notification rights and curriculum restrictions. The bill is currently pending in the Education committee after its initial referral.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 8, 2025, as Mesquite Day at the Texas State Capitol, inviting Mesquite residents to celebrate the city's history and growth. It highlights Mesquite's status as the Rodeo Capital of Texas, its population of 155,000, and economic developments including renewable energy investments and recent $1.1 billion in private commercial investment. The resolution is purely ceremonial and does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summarySB 2895, filed in the Texas Legislature, creates a toll exemption for public school buses transporting students to or from school or school-related activities. The bill amends the Transportation Code to require toll project entities to waive toll fees for qualifying school buses on these specific routes, eliminating registration fee requirements for toll payment. This directly affects public school districts, school bus operators, and toll authorities managing highway toll projects. The exemption takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to school-related travel routes, not general bus operations.

Maddy summarySB 2948 changes where civil penalties from massage therapy violations go. If a county or district attorney collects the penalty, the funds go to the county's general fund. If a city attorney collects it, the funds go to the city's general fund. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects local governments receiving these penalties and massage therapists who violate licensing laws.

Maddy summarySB 2971 prohibits real estate brokers from denying access to or discriminating against individuals in multiple-listing services, brokers' organizations, or related housing services based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. It specifically includes filing ethics complaints related to public concern or religious speech as a form of prohibited discrimination. The law applies only to complaints filed with the Texas Workforce Commission after its effective date of September 1, 2025, leaving prior complaints governed by existing law. This bill directly affects real estate brokers and housing-related service providers operating in Texas.