Sen. Judith Zaffirini

Maddy summarySB 2077 amends Texas Insurance Code to restrict who can serve on the board of directors of Texas Mutual Insurance Company. It prohibits individuals who are licensed insurance agents, employees or directors of insurers (especially those writing workers' compensation), have financial ties to insurers, receive substantial benefits from the company, or work for insurance associations. The bill directly affects Texas Mutual board members by adding these conflict-of-interest restrictions to existing qualifications. Key provisions clarify that board members cannot have direct ties to the insurance industry they regulate. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summarySB 1366 requires all Texas driver education and driving safety courses to include specific information about construction and maintenance work zones starting September 1, 2026. The curriculum must cover the dangers of violating traffic rules in these zones and the penalties for such violations under Texas law. This affects all licensed driver education providers and courses offered in Texas. The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation must adopt the required rules by May 1, 2026, to implement the changes. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, but the new curriculum requirement applies to courses held on or after September 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Texas pet stores from selling dogs or cats, with limited exceptions for showcasing animals for adoption through qualified animal control agencies or nonprofit rescue organizations. Pet stores may only host these organizations if they meet strict criteria, such as not breeding animals, not receiving payment for animals, and having no ties to breeders or animal brokers. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $500 per day for each animal sold in violation. The law applies only to animals obtained by pet stores on or after the effective date.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 522) formally recognizes the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Latina Leadership Institute (LLI), which trains Hispanic women for political leadership. It commends the program for developing future leaders through a six-month curriculum that prepares participants for elected or appointed roles. The Senate resolution, adopted by the Texas Senate in 2025, expresses "high regard" by formally extending commendation to the LLI and providing the chamber with an official copy. It does not create new laws or affect policy, as it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of the program's work.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 528) is a ceremonial expression of recognition, not a law. It commends Mary Help of Christians School in Laredo for its 90th anniversary, acknowledging its founding by Salesian Sisters in 1935 and its growth to serve over 430 students today. The resolution formally praises the school's educational excellence, mission, and community contributions. It has no policy impact or binding effect; it simply serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation from the Texas Senate, which adopted it on May 15, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 13) urges the U.S. Department of State and the International Boundary and Water Commission to ensure Mexico complies with the 1944 Treaty on shared water resources. It specifically addresses Mexico's failure to deliver the required 350,000 acre-feet of water annually (averaged over five years), with a current deficit of 984,814 acre-feet. The resolution highlights how this shortfall harms Texas water users, including municipal, agricultural, and industrial sectors in the Rio Grande Valley, impacting reservoir levels and causing economic losses like the closure of Texas' only sugar mill. As a non-binding resolution, it formally requests U.S. federal agencies to take action but does not change legal obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 3960 modifies Texas insurance law to limit how insurers can void policies based on misrepresentations in applications. It states that policy clauses claiming false statements make policies void have no legal effect unless the misrepresentation was material to the risk or contributed to the event triggering the claim. This directly affects policyholders (especially in life, accident, and health insurance) and insurers, as it prevents insurers from using minor inaccuracies to deny valid claims. The bill clarifies that only significant misrepresentations affecting the risk can justify voiding a policy or denying payment.

Maddy summarySB 3054 changes the name of the Starr County Drainage District to the Starr County Drainage and Groundwater Conservation District and merges the separate Starr County Groundwater Conservation District into it. The new district will have authority to impose taxes on landowners within Starr County to fund its operations. This bill directly affects property owners in the county who will pay these taxes. The district will be governed by a five-member board representing agriculture, rural water entities, municipalities, industry, and the county at-large.

Maddy summarySB 1536 requires guardians appointed for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's disease to complete specific training. Before appointment, proposed guardians must finish a free online course covering guardianship responsibilities and dementia basics. After appointment, guardians must complete an annual one-hour training on communication strategies, warning signs, and supporting individuals with dementia. The training must be provided free by the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct and confirmed to the court before hearings. This applies directly to court-appointed guardians managing care for people with dementia-related conditions.