Sen. Judith Zaffirini

Maddy summarySB 1535 establishes a state-funded workforce development program through the Texas Workforce Commission to address labor needs in Texas's emerging advanced nuclear energy industry. The program requires the Commission to create a strategic plan identifying skills gaps and developing financial partnerships with universities, public colleges, and nuclear energy employers to fund training programs and research. It mandates the development of customized curricula for degree and certificate programs preparing students for high-wage nuclear energy jobs, with input from higher education institutions, the Public Utility Commission, and industry employers. This law directly affects Texas workers seeking nuclear energy careers, educational institutions offering relevant training, and nuclear energy companies operating in the state. The program becomes effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4748 establishes a new "multiple award contract" purchasing procedure for Texas state agencies and the comptroller to use when buying similar goods or services. The bill requires agencies to provide written justification for using this method, disclose their intent and award criteria in solicitations, and ensure each vendor can provide the "best value" to the state. It defines "multiple award" as contracting with multiple vendors to cover all needed goods/services, while excluding professional services contracts. The procedure aims to improve procurement flexibility and competition for standardized purchases across state agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 4350 requires county clerks to redact specific personal information - including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and residence addresses - from online public real property records when requested by certain officials. It applies to peace officers, federal judges, marshals, U.S. attorneys, state judges, and their family members as defined by law. County clerks must also display a clear notice on the website stating that redactions were made and that the online database isn’t the official record. The law took effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 627 updates Texas licensing rules for dietitians by requiring a formal code of ethics, setting qualification standards for licenses, and prohibiting the use of titles like "licensed dietitian" (LD) or "provisional licensed dietitian" (PLD) without a valid license. It also adds a new requirement that license renewals may be denied if administrative penalties remain unpaid. The bill directly affects dietitians seeking or maintaining licenses in Texas and ensures public access to verified professionals. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 777 modifies Texas law governing collective bargaining between municipalities and employee unions. It requires arbitration boards to consider specific factors like job hazards, qualifications, and training when resolving disputes over compensation and working conditions. The bill establishes procedures for handling impasses in negotiations, including mandatory mediation efforts before arbitration. It directly affects city governments and their unionized employees across Texas by standardizing dispute resolution processes for employment terms.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas law governing the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board. It specifies that the board will consist of nine appointed members (with commission approval) plus two nonvoting ex officio members, requiring one public member. The bill also establishes staggered six-year terms for appointed members, with three terms expiring each February 1 in odd-numbered years, and repeals an existing section of the Occupations Code. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2340 updates Texas law for child custody evaluators by requiring them to complete three hours of specialized training on intellectual or developmental disabilities within two years before conducting an evaluation. It clarifies that evaluators must make their records available to attorneys, parties, or court-appointed representatives upon written request (unless a court restricts disclosure), and defines key terms like "intellectual disability" based on existing health codes. The bill directly affects private evaluators and those working with domestic relations offices in custody cases involving children with these disabilities. These changes aim to standardize evaluator qualifications and improve transparency in record access during custody proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 2587 limits how Texas agencies can share criminal history records used in insurance licensing background checks. It restricts the Consumer Credit Commissioner from disclosing these records except to the person they concern, with their consent, by court order, or in specific hearings. The bill also clarifies that the Texas Department of Insurance may access criminal history records only for applicants or license holders in specific insurance-related roles (like agents, brokers, or corporate officers) under defined licensing chapters. This directly affects insurance applicants, license holders, and insurance companies requiring background checks. The change focuses on preventing unauthorized sharing of sensitive criminal history data during licensing processes.

Maddy summarySB 918 allows Texas licensing authorities to grant exemptions from specific education, training, or exam requirements for orthotists and prosthetists who demonstrate unique qualifications. Applicants must provide evidence of specialized skills or experience to the licensing commission, rather than meeting all standard requirements. Approved applicants receive a full license with identical privileges to fully licensed peers but are exempt from the waived requirements during license renewal. This change applies only to applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, leaving pre-existing applications governed by prior law.

Maddy summarySB 2589 modifies Texas law to change how county commissioners courts handle closing, abandoning, or vacating certain county roads in specific border counties. It applies only to roads located outside city limits but bordering residential subdivisions in counties with under 300,000 population that contain a city with 200,000+ residents. The bill allows courts to bypass the standard rule of transferring road title to adjacent property owners if they determine such transfer would create a safety hazard, instead giving courts two options: petition the city to annex the road or repurpose it for non-vehicle uses like hiking trails. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects property owners and municipalities in designated border counties.