Sen. Judith Zaffirini

Maddy summarySB 1568 requires Texas to issue specialty license plates featuring the words "Animal Friendly" and designs supporting animal welfare programs, including spay-neuter initiatives. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles must develop these plates in consultation with the Texas Humane Legislation Network. Vehicle owners who purchase these plates will directly fund animal welfare efforts in Texas. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia causes, prevention, and treatment. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and research groups to expand dementia-related studies and create jobs. It establishes three committees to oversee funding and research priorities, with the program set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless renewed under Texas law. The bill directly affects Texas research institutions receiving grants and aims to improve dementia health outcomes for state residents. This legislation became law after being signed by the Governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2903 requires Texas guardians of estates to attach specific documents to their annual financial accounts filed with the court. These documents include payment receipts or proof of payment, bank statements showing deposits, proof of securities or other assets, and property sale agreements. The law applies to all guardianship cases pending or commenced on or after September 1, 2025. This change standardizes the documentation needed for court review of estate finances.

Maddy summaryHB 136 requires Texas Medicaid to reimburse certified lactation consultants for services provided to Medicaid recipients (mothers and infants). It creates a new provider classification specifically for lactation consultants in the Medicaid program, ensuring they can enroll and receive payment for services. The bill defines "lactation consultant" as someone certified by an international or nationally approved program and mandates that the state commission establish this reimbursement pathway. This law took effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting Medicaid-covered breastfeeding support for Texas families.

Maddy summaryHCR 29 designates April as Counseling Awareness Month in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes the work of mental health professionals, including over 13,000 Certified School Counselors and 34,000 Licensed Professional Counselors in the state. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but aims to raise public awareness about counseling services. The designation remains in effect until the 10th anniversary of the resolution's passage, as specified in Texas Government Code Section 391.004(d).

Maddy summaryHB 3135 creates specialty license plates for retired firefighters in Texas, directly affecting eligible retired personnel who served as volunteer firefighters certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or the State Firefighters' Association, or as career fire protection staff under state law. The bill requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to design and issue these plates at no cost to qualifying individuals. It defines "retired firefighter" specifically to include both certified volunteers and career personnel meeting certain criteria. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, making these plates available to eligible retirees without additional fees.

Maddy summaryHCR 70 designates Jim Hogg County as the official "Vaquero Capital of Texas" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes the historical significance of vaqueros (Spanish-Mexican ranchers) to the county's cultural and economic heritage, referencing their role in early ranching traditions. It does not create new laws, alter regulations, or impose requirements on residents or businesses. The resolution was passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the governor in May 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2763 designates a Texas Department of Transportation building in Starr County as the "Eduardo 'Eddie' Gracia, Jr., P.E., Area Engineer and Maintenance Facility" to honor his service. The bill requires the department to install or update signage reflecting this name only if private funds are donated to cover costs, with those funds deposited into the state highway fund. This is a ceremonial naming resolution with no new policy or funding requirements, directly affecting the physical facility in Starr County.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates La Salle County as Texas' official "Wild Hog Capital" for 10 years, ending in 2035. It formally recognizes the county's cultural connection to wild hog hunting and its annual Wild Hog Cook-Off event, which began in 1981 and supports local tourism and ranching. The resolution, passed as a ceremonial designation under state law, does not create new regulations or funding but honors the county's economic and recreational ties to wild hog hunting. It directly affects La Salle County residents and businesses benefiting from this tradition.

Maddy summarySB 2994 requires Texas electric utilities to implement energy efficiency programs that meet specific annual demand reduction targets based on their customer size (ranging from 2,500 kW for smaller utilities to 62,500 kW for the largest). These programs must be cost-effective, market-neutral, and nondiscriminatory, ensuring all customers have access to energy-saving options. The bill directly affects all Texas electric utilities by mandating measurable reductions in summer/winter peak demand through efficiency measures. It also updates public information requirements for energy efficiency programs and clarifies utility participation in energy markets. (Note: The bill was favorably reported by the Senate on May 23, 2025.)