Sen. Judith Zaffirini

Maddy summarySB 569 allows Texas school districts to adjust how student attendance is calculated during emergencies (like natural disasters or pandemics) to maintain funding under the Foundation School Program. It authorizes the commissioner of education to grant waivers or modifications to average daily attendance rules during crises, preventing funding cuts that would otherwise occur if attendance dropped due to virtual learning or school closures. The bill also permits the commissioner to charge a fee for processing these attendance adjustments. This directly affects school districts relying on state funding tied to attendance metrics during emergency periods.

Maddy summarySB 1848 amends Texas Family Code provisions to allow confidential juvenile records to be shared with "managed assigned counsel programs" that appoint attorneys for indigent youth in juvenile court cases. Specifically, it adds a new exception (Section 58.004(b)(6)) permitting disclosure to these programs for determining a child’s financial eligibility for counsel or managing appointed attorneys. This directly affects juvenile court-appointed lawyers and state-funded counsel programs by clarifying their legal access to sealed records. The bill does not change existing restrictions on sharing records with victims, law enforcement, or other entities.

Maddy summarySB 28 prohibits purchasing or facilitating the purchase of state lottery tickets via telephone, internet, or mobile applications. It specifically bans individuals from buying tickets online or through apps (a Class C misdemeanor) and bans selling or arranging such purchases for compensation (a Class A misdemeanor). The bill directly affects residents attempting to access lottery games digitally and businesses or individuals offering such services. It creates new criminal penalties under Section 466.318 of the Government Code, effective September 1, 2025. The law aims to enforce existing age and location restrictions for lottery play by closing digital loopholes.

Maddy summarySB 750 exempts employed paramedics working for Texas local governments (like cities or counties) from paying tuition and laboratory fees at public colleges when taking emergency medical services courses. This applies to paramedics currently employed by a political subdivision, but requires them to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate. The exemption does not cover security deposits, additional tuition charges for residents, or graduate-level fees exceeding standard rates. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board must create rules defining qualifying paramedic certifications and a uniform list of eligible degree programs.

Maddy summarySB 1807 protects the privacy of individuals seeking or under a protective order in Texas by requiring courts to keep certain personal information confidential. It mandates that courts remove applicants' mailing addresses and counties of residence from public records, designate a trusted contact to receive court documents, and prohibit disclosure to the respondent. The bill also requires courts to exclude protected individuals' addresses, phone numbers, and children's school locations from protective orders upon request, and to inform victims of this right during hearings. These provisions directly affect domestic violence victims and others under protective orders, enhancing their safety by limiting public access to sensitive contact details.

Maddy summarySB 3030 creates Travis County Municipal Utility District No. 40 to provide essential infrastructure services like roads, storm drainage, and utility maintenance for property owners and residents within its defined boundaries. The bill grants the district limited power to acquire private property for public projects (via eminent domain), issue bonds for financing, and impose assessments, fees, and taxes to fund these services. It establishes a five-member elected board to govern the district and requires municipal consent before implementation. This bill directly affects landowners and residents in the district’s territory, enabling local infrastructure improvements under Texas law. The bill is pending in the Local Government committee after a public hearing.

Maddy summarySB 3033 clarifies and validates the boundaries of the Creedmoor Municipal Utility District in Texas. It amends state law to ensure that minor errors in the district's boundary descriptions or field notes do not affect the district's legal validity, authority to issue bonds, tax powers, or existing operations. The bill specifically adds a detailed boundary description for the district's territory, referencing specific land tracts and survey records. This procedural bill focuses solely on confirming the district's existing legal standing and powers, with no new policy changes or direct impact on residents beyond clarifying jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 486) is a symbolic gesture by the Texas Senate to honor the Laredo Police Department on its 175th anniversary. It recognizes the department's history as one of the oldest U.S. law enforcement agencies and the eighth-largest in Texas, highlighting its 700+ employees and community-focused policing. The resolution commends the department's service over generations and includes a copy of the resolution for the department as a token of appreciation. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely a ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 475), not a bill with policy changes. It formally recognizes La Salle Dialysis in La Salle County for its grand opening on April 3, 2025, and honors the late Precinct 1 Commissioner Chris Hinojosa III, who advocated for improved healthcare access. The resolution celebrates the facility’s role in providing local, high-quality dialysis care to residents who previously faced long travel distances for treatment. It was adopted by the Texas Senate on May 5, 2025, and includes a copy for the facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows water supply and sewer service corporations operating within ERCOT (Texas' electric grid) to register as power generators and sell electricity. It directly affects these public utility corporations by enabling them to generate revenue from electricity sales. The key provision requires that all revenue from power sales must be used exclusively to cover the costs of power generation (like equipment, fuel, and maintenance) or for purposes specified under existing water service laws. The bill does not change how these corporations operate their core water or sewer services.