Sen. Chuy Hinojosa

Maddy summarySB 1620 creates a state-funded forensic analyst apprenticeship pilot program to increase Texas' forensic science workforce. The program establishes contracts between the state office, accredited crime laboratories, and academic institutions offering relevant training. It prioritizes long-term retention of forensic analysts by setting eligibility rules for apprentices and sponsoring labs through the Texas Forensic Science Commission. The pilot program, effective September 1, 2025, expires on September 1, 2030, and directly affects forensic analysts in training, crime labs, and participating educational institutions.

Maddy summarySB 207 allows public school students in Texas to be excused from school for mental health care appointments with licensed professionals, provided they return to school on the same day. It directly affects public school districts, requiring them to excuse these absences under Section 25.087(b)(2) of the Education Code. The key provision mandates that students must attend the appointment and return to school the same day, with no requirement for prior parental notification beyond standard health care appointment documentation. The bill applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 695 returns Senate Bill 293 to the House of Representatives for further consideration. The resolution specifies that the Senate concurs in all House amendments except Section 23 (which the Senate ruled non-germane), and instead proposes substituting Section 20 of the Senate version - which modifies how judicial retirement annuities are calculated for judges retiring before September 1, 2025. The resolution requests the House adopt this change to finalize the bill. This procedural step resolves a disagreement over one section of the bill before it advances to final passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1778 requires Texas district courts to report monthly on cases involving human trafficking, prostitution, and child pornography offenses to the Office of Court Administration. It creates a new council to coordinate state agency efforts, including the Attorney General, Department of Family and Protective Services, and other key agencies like the Texas Workforce Commission. The bill harmonizes statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual assault and failure-to-report offenses, aligning time limits across related crimes. These changes aim to improve data collection and interagency collaboration for addressing trafficking, prostitution, and child exploitation. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1931 names a specific segment of Business U.S. Highway 83-S in Hidalgo County (between its intersections with U.S. Highway 83 relief route near La Joya) as the "SP4 Rodolfo Valdez Memorial Highway." This commemorative bill does not change laws or policies but honors SP4 Rodolfo Valdez, a military veteran. The Texas Department of Transportation will install markers at each end of the highway segment and at intermediate points to display the memorial designation. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 1351 designates a specific stretch of U.S. Highway 281 in Hidalgo County (between Farm-to-Market Road 493 and Farm-to-Market Road 88) as the "U.S. Border Patrol Agent Jose Rodriguez-Lua 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 ceremonial designation with no new funding or policy changes - only the addition of commemorative signage honoring the late Border Patrol agent. The bill became law on May 29, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2974 allows specific coastal Texas municipalities to impose hotel occupancy taxes to fund convention centers. It targets cities with populations between 70,000-180,000 (for centers built before 2023) or under 25,000 (with cultural museums, for centers built before 2025), all located near the Gulf of Mexico and Mexico. The tax authority expires on January 1, 2054, or 2056, whichever comes first, depending on the municipality type. The bill also includes a separate provision requiring coastal cities to use certain tax revenue for public beach maintenance, though this section appears incomplete in the provided text.

Maddy summarySB 1018 changes how Texas distributes revenue from state traffic fines collected by the comptroller. It shifts the allocation from 70% to the general revenue fund and 30% to trauma/emergency medical services (previously 70/30) to a 50/50 split. The bill also sets a $250 million annual cap for the general fund portion; any excess revenue must go to the Texas mobility fund. This applies only to fines collected on or after September 1, 2025, and directly affects state budget allocations for emergency services and transportation infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 5238 makes it a criminal offense to intentionally disrupt a lawful meeting, procession, or gathering (including virtual events) by physical action, verbal speech, or electronic means like hacking. The law specifically targets interference with virtual components of events, such as disrupting online meetings through digital attacks. It applies only to disruptions occurring on or after September 1, 2025, meaning past actions are governed by existing law. This bill directly affects individuals who obstruct or interfere with public gatherings, whether in person or online, by these specified methods.

Maddy summarySB 1177 requires fire safety inspections at Texas public and private schools (including charter schools) to include checking all automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for functionality. Inspectors must verify AED pads and batteries have not expired and that the device's status light indicates it is ready for use. After inspections, inspectors must provide a written report to school principals (public schools) or directors (private schools), detailing how and when the report was delivered. The law applies to all schools subject to state or local fire safety requirements and took effect September 1, 2025.