Sen. Chuy Hinojosa

Maddy summarySB 2676 requires Texas Medicaid to provide providers with written notice at least 120 days before their enrollment expires, detailing the expiration date and revalidation process. Providers applying for renewal at least 90 days early must receive timely review, with deficiencies requiring correction within 10 days to avoid disenrollment. The law ensures providers who submit complete applications on time and follow deadlines will have their revalidation finalized before their current enrollment ends. This applies to providers whose enrollment periods expire on or after January 1, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2665 allows local governments (like cities, school districts, or counties) to set property tax rates or homestead exemptions that only take effect if voters approve related measures, such as new bond issuances or tax increases for other projects. For example, a city could propose a lower tax rate contingent on voters approving school bonds under existing laws. The bill requires clear disclosure of these conditions in official documents and specifies that such tax changes would take effect January 1 after the voter approval occurs. This directly affects local governments planning tax policies and property owners whose taxes may change based on separate voter decisions.

Maddy summarySB 2663 authorizes permits for oversize and overweight vehicles on specific routes in Hidalgo County, Texas, primarily affecting trucking companies transporting construction materials and heavy cargo. The bill designates 13 named routes (including U.S. Highway 281, State Highway 336, and Farm-to-Market Roads) for permit issuance under the Texas Transportation Code. Crucially, it restricts permits for West Doffing Road (between Spur 29 and Doffin Canal Road) exclusively to vehicles carrying "aggregates" (construction materials like gravel or rock). This bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly impacts commercial vehicle operators navigating these Hidalgo County corridors.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Texas awards Medicaid and child health plan contracts to managed care organizations (MCOs). It requires the state commission to prioritize MCOs that: (1) have strong provider networks serving Medicaid/charity care patients, (2) guarantee 3 months of continued care after Medicaid eligibility ends, and (3) meet quality benchmarks. The bill also directs special consideration for locally owned MCOs in South Texas. These changes directly affect MCOs bidding for state Medicaid contracts and aim to improve access and continuity for Medicaid recipients.

Maddy summarySB 2674 requires Texas health benefit plans to cover specific biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of diseases (including post-transplant care) when supported by evidence like FDA approvals, Medicare guidelines, or clinical standards. It directly affects health insurers and plans sold in Texas, mandating coverage for tests meeting the specified evidence criteria. The law applies only to plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, with implementation delayed if federal waivers are needed. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not change coverage for plans active before that date.

Maddy summarySB 2669 allows podiatrists in Texas to delegate certain podiatric medical acts to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), specifically enabling APRNs to perform minor procedures and conduct office visits without the podiatrist's physical presence. The bill requires written protocols and specifies that delegated acts must align with the APRN's scope of practice and be performed safely, as determined by the podiatrist. It directly affects podiatrists (who can delegate), APRNs (who gain expanded authority), and patients (who may receive certain podiatric care from APRNs). Key provisions include defining "minor procedures" as office-based treatments not requiring medication beyond local anesthesia and clarifying that APRNs can oversee clinic operations and assessments. The bill amends Texas Occupations Code Chapter 202 to establish this delegation framework, pending further legislative action.

Maddy summarySB 2673 allows statutory county courts to expunge arrest records for offenses within their jurisdiction, expanding access to record removal. It specifically clarifies that these courts may only expunge records related to offenses they can try (e.g., misdemeanors), not felony cases. The bill also requires expunction orders to be issued within 30 days of acquittal or a pardon, with the process handled by either the trial court or the county’s district court. This applies to individuals who were acquitted, had charges dismissed with state attorney recommendation, or received a pardon.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 358) recognizing The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) for its 10th anniversary in August 2025. It formally honors UTRGV's achievements, including awarding over 56,000 degrees since 2015, expanding academic programs, opening medical schools, and ranking as Texas' top public university for value and social mobility. The resolution expresses the Texas Senate's recognition of UTRGV as a model institution for higher education and community engagement, with no new policy or funding changes. It directly affects UTRGV by providing formal acknowledgment from the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (SR 352) recognizing April 2, 2025, as Texas Food Bank Day at the Texas State Capitol. It honors the Feeding Texas network, which operates 20 food banks serving all 254 Texas counties through partnerships with agencies like the Texas Department of Agriculture. The resolution specifically acknowledges their work distributing over 500 million pounds of surplus produce and providing nutrition assistance to low-income families. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally commends Feeding Texas for its hunger-relief efforts.

Maddy summarySB 881 creates a provisional medical license for foreign-trained physicians who have job offers from Texas healthcare providers. To qualify, applicants must hold a medical degree from an eligible program, be licensed in good standing abroad within five years, have practiced medicine for at least five years (with residency or equivalent experience), and meet English proficiency requirements. The provisional license allows them to practice for up to three years while completing full licensure requirements. This directly affects foreign medical graduates seeking to work in Texas hospitals, health systems, or clinics.