Sen. Bob Hall

Maddy summarySB 9 amends Texas Tax Code sections to update how local taxing units (like cities, counties, and school districts) calculate voter-approval tax rates when implementing or adjusting sales taxes. It introduces specific formulas that account for new sales tax revenue by adding a "sales tax gain rate" to the calculation, ensuring the voter-approval rate reflects the impact of the new revenue source. The bill differentiates rules based on the taxing unit type, applying multipliers of 1.08 for special districts, 1.035 for small municipalities/counties (<30,000 population), and 1.025 for others. These changes directly affect how local governments determine tax rates that require voter approval when they add or modify sales taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires blood banks to follow physicians' orders for autologous (patient donating their own blood for their upcoming procedure) or direct (patient donating blood directly to a specific recipient) blood donations. It also allows blood banks to charge reasonable fees covering administrative costs for these donations. Hospitals must permit patients to provide such donations when ordered by a physician for an upcoming medical procedure. The law applies directly to blood banks and licensed hospitals in Texas. It takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summarySB 69 would allow Texas pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without a prescription from a healthcare provider, under a statewide order issued by the commissioner of state health services. The order would require pharmacists to follow standardized procedures, provide patients with usage instructions, and submit annual reports on the number of doses dispensed. Pharmacists acting in good faith under this order would be shielded from criminal, civil, or professional liability. This bill specifically applies to ivermectin and does not change prescription requirements for other medications.

Maddy summarySB 70 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities or counties) from using eminent domain to take private property located outside their own boundaries. The bill adds a new restriction to Texas law, stating that such takings are not allowed for condemnation petitions filed on or after the bill's effective date. Property taken under petitions filed before the effective date would follow existing law. This change applies only to future cases and does not affect current or pending proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 5 regulates hemp-derived consumable products (like edibles, oils, and topicals containing cannabinoids such as CBD) sold in Texas. It requires businesses to obtain occupational licenses, imposes fees, and prohibits sales to anyone under 21. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations and administrative fines, while exempting certain products (like hemp seed oil in food), research activities, low-THC cannabis, and medical prescriptions. These changes directly affect hemp product manufacturers, retailers, and distributors operating in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 11 requires Texas law enforcement agencies to report election-related crimes to the attorney general and gives the attorney general exclusive authority to prosecute these offenses. Local prosecutors and law enforcement must share relevant information with the attorney general to assist in these cases, and the attorney general can direct local offices to handle or support prosecutions. The law applies only to election crimes committed after its effective date (91 days after the legislative session). This shifts prosecution responsibility for election law violations from local to state-level authorities.

Maddy summarySB 12 prohibits Texas cities, counties, and other local governments (political subdivisions) from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay organizations that primarily represent local governments and employ lobbyists. The bill specifically bans spending on activities like lobbying state legislators, but allows local government employees to provide information to lawmakers or testify without triggering the restriction. Exceptions include associations representing sheriffs or law enforcement officers, and direct advocacy by employees that doesn’t require lobbyist registration. Taxpayers can seek court orders to stop prohibited spending and recover related costs.

Maddy summarySB 57 amends Texas water law to regulate large-scale groundwater transfers outside a local water district's boundaries. It requires groundwater conservation districts to obtain approval from at least two-thirds of neighboring districts in the region before issuing permits for wells producing 25,000+ gallons of water daily. Exceptions apply for potable water transfers to utilities within their service areas or emergency water interconnects between utilities. The rule applies only to permits issued after the bill's effective date (91 days post-legislative session). This change affects district permitting decisions but does not alter water rights.

Maddy summarySB 58 limits groundwater conservation districts in Texas from issuing permits that would allow a single applicant to withdraw more than 5% of the district's modeled available groundwater. The bill requires districts to calculate this 5% limit based on the total modeled groundwater available in the district, as determined by the executive administrator. It directly affects applicants seeking groundwater permits for production and transfer out of the district. This rule applies only to permits issued on or after the bill's effective date (91 days after the legislative session ends).

Maddy summarySB 59 amends Texas law to clarify landowners' liability when withdrawing and using large volumes of groundwater (25,000+ gallons per day) for beneficial purposes like irrigation. It states such landowners are generally not liable for interfering with neighbors' water use unless their withdrawal directly harms a neighbor by lowering water tables or unreasonably affects a watercourse or lake. The bill only applies to legal claims arising after its effective date, which is 91 days after the legislative session ends. This change modifies existing liability rules but does not alter landowners' fundamental rights to use groundwater.