Maddy summarySB 568 amends Texas Education Code sections 8.051 and 29.001 to strengthen special education support in public schools. It requires regional education service centers to provide specific core services, including teacher training on state-mandated subjects and financial literacy, assistance for districts with special education compliance issues, and support for students needing specialized services. The bill also mandates the state education agency to develop a comprehensive system ensuring statewide compliance with federal and state special education laws, focusing on student outcomes and coordinated services. These changes directly affect Texas school districts, regional centers, and students with disabilities by standardizing support and accountability. The bill does not create new funding but reorganizes how existing Foundation School Program funds are administered for special education.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill expands criminal penalties for cruelty to nonlivestock animals (such as pets and wildlife) by defining specific prohibited acts, including torture, abandonment, failure to provide care, cruel transport, and causing injury without consent. It creates a legal defense for veterinarians and their assistants acting within their professional duties, shielding them from prosecution for negligence during routine care. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing penalties for cruelty involving livestock animals. This amendment clarifies prosecutable conduct while providing professional protection for veterinary staff.
Maddy summaryHB 20 establishes Texas' Applied Sciences Pathway program, allowing high school students to earn both diplomas and industry certificates through school-college partnerships. It requires courses in 20 specific high-wage, high-growth fields like plumbing, welding, IT, and oil/gas exploration, with a focus on successful job placement rates. Partnerships must offer non-duplicative, progressive coursework leading to both diplomas and certificates in these sectors. The program begins for the 2027-2028 school year, with industries reviewed every five years to match labor market needs.
Maddy summarySB 17 restricts certain foreign governments and entities from purchasing or acquiring title to specific types of real property in Texas if such ownership poses a risk to public health, safety, or welfare. It prohibits purchases of agricultural land, commercial, industrial, residential property, mines, minerals, or timber by organizations or governments from "designated countries" (identified by U.S. intelligence as national security risks). Exceptions include U.S. citizens/permanent residents, entities owned by them, homestead properties, and leaseholds under 100 years. The law creates a new Property Code Subchapter H (Sections 5.251-5.254) to implement these restrictions.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas law to clarify how state veterans cemeteries funded by federal grants may be managed and funded. It requires the Texas Veterans Commission to establish guidelines for cemetery locations, size, and burial eligibility, and to select up to seven locations statewide for these cemeteries. The bill limits annual spending to $7 million from specific veterans funds (veterans' land fund and housing assistance funds) for planning, operating, maintaining, or improving these cemeteries, while prohibiting the use of those funds to acquire land for new cemeteries. The changes apply to state-run veterans cemeteries receiving federal grants and take effect September 1, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 441 creates civil liability for producing, soliciting, disclosing, or promoting AI-generated intimate visual material without a person's consent and with intent to harm. It specifically targets material that reveals the depicted person's identity (e.g., through facial recognition or unique features) and requires proof of actual harm. The law holds both creators of the material and owners of websites/social media platforms liable if they fail to remove such content after notice. This directly affects individuals whose images are used without consent in AI-generated intimate content, providing a legal path to seek damages for the harm caused.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates new civil remedies for victims of financial exploitation using AI-generated media (like deepfakes) or phishing communications. It allows individuals to sue perpetrators for actual damages - including mental anguish and the perpetrator's profits - and to seek court orders halting further dissemination. The bill also imposes a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day for violations, enforceable by the Texas Attorney General. Platforms like social media companies are exempt from liability under this law, as they are protected by federal Section 230.
Maddy summaryHB 33, titled the "Uvalde Strong Act," requires Texas public and charter schools to comply with additional safety and operational requirements related to active shooter incidents and emergencies. It amends the Education Code to mandate adherence to existing rules covering student data systems, criminal background checks, discipline practices, health/safety protocols, bullying prevention, and staff reporting obligations. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools by expanding their compliance obligations under current safety frameworks. It does not create new rules but requires schools to follow more existing provisions related to emergency preparedness and student safety. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.
Maddy summaryHB 2564 creates a dedicated panel within the Texas Office of the Governor to evaluate applications for Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grants. This panel will score applications based on the significance of the grant's impact on local governments and other criteria set by the commission. The commission will use these scores to decide which applicants receive grants, but only if the legislature has specifically allocated funds for them. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects local governments seeking financial assistance related to defense economic adjustments.
Maddy summaryHB 2067 requires insurers in Texas to provide written explanations for denying insurance applications, canceling policies, or refusing to renew coverage. It mandates that insurers give these reasons to applicants or policyholders upon request and submit quarterly reports to the Texas Department of Insurance, organized by zip code. The bill also specifies that notices for commercial insurance denials must be delivered to agents, who must then share them with applicants. These requirements apply to policies regulated under specific insurance chapters and become effective January 2026. The law aims to increase transparency in insurance decisions without altering coverage terms or costs.