Sen. Chuy Hinojosa

Maddy summarySB 527 requires health insurance plans in Texas to cover medically necessary general anesthesia for pediatric dental services for children under 13 years old who cannot undergo treatment without anesthesia due to documented physical, mental, or medical conditions. The law applies to all health benefit plans offered by insurance companies, HMOs, health maintenance organizations, and other covered entities under Texas insurance law. It prohibits plans from excluding this specific anesthesia coverage when the medical criteria are met, ensuring access to necessary dental care for vulnerable young patients. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5342 creates a dedicated "988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Trust Fund" to support Texas' 988 crisis services. The fund, managed by the state commission, accepts federal grants, donations, and investment income to cover operational costs like personnel, technology upgrades, and infrastructure improvements for the 988 Lifeline network. It directly affects crisis centers participating in the 988 system and callers seeking mental health support. The bill establishes strict rules for fund use, prohibiting diversion to other state purposes, and requires annual financial forecasting. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1939 reorganizes the Ship Channel Improvement Revolving Fund, designating it as a separate account within the state highway fund managed by the Texas Department of Transportation commission. The bill ensures that interest earned on this fund is not reallocated to general state revenue, preserving dedicated funding for port infrastructure projects. It requires transferring any existing unencumbered balances from the previous fund structure to this new account. This change directly affects Texas port maintenance and infrastructure development, ensuring consistent funding for the Houston Ship Channel improvements.

Maddy summaryHB 114 transfers responsibility for certain veteran mental health programs from the Texas Health and Safety Code to the Texas Veterans Commission under the Government Code. The bill requires the Commission to administer a program including peer-to-peer counseling, suicide prevention training, veteran jail diversion services, and specialized initiatives for women veterans and rural veterans. Key provisions mandate training for peer service coordinators, coordination of mental health first aid, and access to licensed mental health professionals. This law directly affects Texas veterans seeking mental health support and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1036 requires solar retailers and salespeople to register with the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation. It establishes fees for registration and imposes civil or administrative penalties for violations. The bill directly affects companies and individuals selling or leasing residential solar energy systems (intended for home use) to homeowners. Key provisions define terms like "residential solar retailer" and set up a regulatory framework for these transactions, including requirements for controlling persons within solar businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 3151 creates a streamlined process for Medicaid managed care organizations to quickly approve (expedite) credentialing for providers at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and their established provider groups. It requires these providers to already have a contract with a Medicaid managed care organization, be enrolled in Medicaid, and submit necessary documentation. The law directly affects FQHCs and their contracted health care providers seeking faster inclusion in Medicaid provider networks. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, without altering Medicaid benefits or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 3000 creates a state grant program to provide financial assistance to qualified rural ambulance service providers in counties with populations of 68,750 or less. Counties may apply for grants of up to $500,000 (for counties under 10,000 people) or $350,000 (for counties between 10,000-68,750 people) to purchase ambulances, with funds restricted solely to ambulance procurement. Grants require counties to maintain ambulance service budgets in the following fiscal year and prioritize counties with greater distance to trauma facilities or limited funding capacity. The program, now law after being signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, aims to ensure adequate ground ambulance services in underserved rural areas.

Maddy summaryHB 2313 allows specific Texas municipalities (with populations between 700,000-950,000, or containing over 70% of a county with 1.5 million+ residents, among other criteria) to use certain tax revenue for qualified projects within designated "project financing zones." These zones must be within a three-mile radius of a qualified project or a continuous area meeting specific size limits. The law defines the boundaries and expiration (30 years from designation) for these zones, amending the Tax Code to clarify municipal authority. It directly affects eligible cities seeking to fund development projects through targeted tax revenue, without creating new taxes. The bill took effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2508 creates a property tax exemption for the residence homestead of a surviving spouse whose veteran spouse died from a qualifying condition or disease. The exemption applies to the full appraised value of the homestead and is available to spouses who have not remarried since the veteran's death. Qualifying conditions are defined under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022. The exemption takes effect January 1 of the tax year the surviving spouse qualifies and applies regardless of when the veteran died, provided all eligibility criteria are met. This bill amends Texas Tax Code Sections 11.136, 11.42(c), and 11.43(c) to implement the change.

Maddy summaryHB 4236 creates a temporary six-member study group (three Senate members, three House members) to examine how the state auditor’s school district property valuation study impacts state education funding. The group must hold one public meeting to assess the study’s current use in distributing funds and recommend better ways to verify valuations of complex properties. It can request data from the state auditor, school agencies, and local property assessors. The study group must submit its findings and recommendations to state leaders by December 1, 2026, and will dissolve by January 1, 2027. This bill does not change funding formulas but aims to improve how property valuations are evaluated for school finance purposes.