Sen. Chuy Hinojosa

Maddy summarySB 2388 establishes Chapter 527 of the Texas Government Code, creating a "Managed Care Client Choice Program" for Medicaid and child health plan programs. It defines key terms like "managed care contract," "contracted managed care organization," and "health care service region" to standardize procurement processes. The bill applies specifically to Texas Medicaid programs (including STAR Medicaid, STAR+PLUS, and STAR Kids) and the child health plan program, outlining requirements for how the Health and Human Services Commission procures and manages these contracts. This legislation focuses on administrative clarity for existing managed care programs without altering service delivery or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 313) is a ceremonial recognition by the Texas Senate designating March 25, 2025, as "Paws Fur Help Day" at the State Capitol. It honors Paws Fur Help, a Hidalgo County nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare through adoption events, pet food pantries, spay/neuter support, and advocacy. The resolution specifically acknowledges the organization's community work and recent Community Champion Award, extending recognition to its volunteers and board. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or alter policies.

Maddy summarySB 2329 requires Texas local governments (such as cities, counties, and school districts) to invest at least 35% of their available funds designated for investment in banks physically located within Texas. This rule applies to funds the governing body determines are "available for investment" under existing policies. The bill amends Texas Government Code to mandate this minimum investment threshold in state banks, directly affecting how local governments allocate public funds. It takes effect January 1, 2026, but does not change current investment rules for funds not designated for investment.

Maddy summarySB 2134 expands the authority of certain Texas municipalities to use hotel occupancy tax revenue for specific projects. It applies to cities with populations between 700,000-950,000, cities in counties with 1.5 million+ residents, or other designated municipalities meeting population thresholds. The bill allows these cities to fund "qualified projects" like sports venues and related infrastructure using hotel tax revenue. This changes existing tax code provisions to broaden eligibility without creating new taxes or revenue streams.

Maddy summarySB 2132 modifies Texas school funding rules for the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program. It allows school districts participating in R-PEP to continue the program regardless of student enrollment size, removing a previous attendance-based limit. The bill increases state funding for students in R-PEP college/career pathways: districts receive 1.15x the basic allotment for educationally disadvantaged students and 1.11x for others. It also requires districts to maintain a 175-day school calendar (or 5 days/week) for eligibility, with a temporary waiver option for the 2025-2026 school year, and caps total annual funding at $5 million. This directly affects rural school districts offering R-PEP pathways under the Foundation School Program.

Maddy summarySB 2110 requires Texas' Public Utility Commission to study the costs of burying overhead power lines in coastal areas and statewide, with a report due by December 2026. It mandates electric utilities in coastal regions to replace all wooden poles by 2045, prioritizing areas within 10 miles of the coast and locations serving critical infrastructure. The bill also requires utilities to implement a vegetation management plan (clearing trees every three years near power lines) and submit annual reports on both pole replacement and vegetation activities. These provisions directly affect Texas electric utilities operating in coastal zones, focusing on grid resilience through infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.

Maddy summarySB 2135 creates a new County Court at Law No. 11 in Hidalgo County, effective January 1, 2027, and establishes a second statutory probate court (Probate Court No. 2), effective January 1, 2026. The bill redesignates the existing probate court as Probate Court No. 1. These changes directly affect Hidalgo County residents who use county court services for civil, criminal, and probate matters, including wills and estate administration. The bill amends the Texas Government Code to expand court capacity in Hidalgo County, which has experienced population growth.

Maddy summarySB 2136 allows specific large border municipalities (those with over 800,000 residents, located on an international border, and containing at least two cities of 100,000+ residents) to seek "dual certification" for water or sewer service. This means qualifying cities could authorize both their own utility and a private franchised utility to serve the same annexed or incorporated area, instead of requiring a single provider. The bill requires the municipality to notify the utility commission and enter agreements with the utility, after which the commission would grant dual certification. It applies only to the largest qualifying border municipalities and modifies existing certification procedures under Texas Water Code Section 13.255. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2130 regulates transactions involving private equity ownership of veterinary practices in Texas. It targets private equity companies (defined as firms collecting capital to invest in assets without investor redemption rights) that acquire or change control of veterinary services providers. The bill creates new rules for these transactions, authorizes civil penalties for violations, and establishes criminal offenses for serious breaches. It directly affects private equity firms seeking to purchase veterinary practices and the veterinary service providers operating under such ownership. The law aims to regulate consolidation in the veterinary services sector through defined transaction standards and enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 2131 prevents construction owners, contractors, and subcontractors from reserving funds under Property Code Section 53.101 for specially fabricated materials that have already been delivered, accepted, and covered by a manufacturer's warranty. The bill applies only to new contracts signed on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing contracts unaffected. It restricts fund retention for materials that meet both delivery/acceptance and warranty conditions. This change directly affects how construction projects manage payments for specific materials.