Sen. Judith Zaffirini

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 75) commemorates the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Medicare and Medicaid Act signing. It is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on beneficiaries. The Texas Senate formally recognizes the historical significance of these programs, which provide health coverage to millions of Americans (68.6 million enrolled in Medicare, 71.1 million in Medicaid as of 2024). The resolution does not alter any laws or create new obligations.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 81) recognizing the Sames Auto Group for its 115th anniversary. It honors the Laredo-based auto dealership, established in 1910, for being Texas' oldest automobile dealership and one of the oldest in the U.S., highlighting its family ownership, growth, and community contributions. The resolution has no policy or legal effect - it simply expresses the Texas Senate's commendation and best wishes to the Sames family and employees. No specific individuals or entities are affected by this symbolic gesture.

Maddy summarySB 25 allows indigent parents (those who cannot afford a lawyer) in specific family court cases - such as when the government seeks to terminate parental rights or appoint a child’s guardian - to choose their own lawyer instead of being assigned one by the court. The parent must select a Texas-licensed attorney meeting state bar requirements, then file a notice of appearance with the court. The court cannot interfere with this choice or require approval for the parent’s selected attorney. This change gives indigent parents greater control over their legal representation in critical child custody cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Texas Redistricting Commission, replacing the current Legislative Redistricting Board. The new commission would handle redistricting for Texas' U.S. House delegation and both chambers of the Texas Legislature, taking effect January 1, 2030. The commission must convene for its first meeting on the first business day after January 31, 2031, and the existing board would be abolished on the 2030 effective date. This change directly affects how Texas draws electoral district boundaries for federal and state legislative elections.

Maddy summarySB 23 establishes the Texas Redistricting Commission, a new body tasked with drawing congressional, state House, and state Senate district boundaries. The commission will consist of nine members: eight appointed bipartisanship by the legislature (two from each chamber’s majority party and two from each minority party), plus one independent member. To qualify, members must be Texas voters over 25, not hold public office, not work for campaigns or lobbies, and cannot run for office during their term or for two years after redistricting. This bill shifts redistricting authority from the legislature to the commission, directly affecting how Texas voters are represented in all three legislative bodies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas municipalities and counties with internet websites to post localized health and safety alerts on their websites in a clear, visible location. The alerts must include affected areas with geographic threat maps, links to current information, projected movement of the event, and safety instructions like evacuation zones. It applies only to alerts from federal or state agencies (such as the National Weather Service or Texas Division of Emergency Management) received on or after the bill's effective date. The requirement does not apply to entities without websites or to alerts received before the effective date.

Maddy summarySB 26 requires sellers of residential property in a "colonia" (a defined border-area community with 11+ nearby homes) to provide a Spanish translation of an executory contract if the buyer requests it. The translation must be done by a certified Spanish translator, though the final binding contract must still be in English. This applies only to new contracts signed on or after the bill’s effective date (91 days after the legislative session), not to existing agreements. The law directly affects homebuyers and sellers in colonias by adding a language access requirement during the contract negotiation phase.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to appoint attorneys ad litem (special lawyers) to represent specific vulnerable parents in government-led child welfare cases where parental rights may be terminated. It directly affects indigent parents opposing termination, parents served by publication, and alleged fathers with unknown location or registration issues. The key change shifts payment for these attorneys from parents to county general funds when parents are indigent, instead of relying on parent payments. It also adds procedures for resolving payment disputes if a court denies or delays attorney fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 22) requires youth camp operators in Texas to create and maintain written emergency plans covering specific scenarios like natural disasters, lost campers, fires, medical emergencies, and aquatic incidents. Camps must annually train staff and volunteers on these plans - including evacuation procedures and equipment locations - and assign specific emergency responsibilities. Operators must submit approved plans to the health department and review them yearly for updates. The bill directly affects all youth camps operating in Texas, aiming to standardize emergency preparedness for camper and staff safety.