Sen. Judith Zaffirini

Maddy summarySB 718 creates the groundwater science, research, and innovation fund within the Texas Water Development Board's administration. The fund will receive state appropriations, investment returns, grants, and other designated revenue to provide grants to groundwater conservation districts. These grants will support specific projects focused on improving groundwater understanding, modeling, use efficiency, recharge, and water quality protection. The Texas Water Development Board will establish application procedures and criteria to evaluate district proposals for funding.

Maddy summarySB 2837 clarifies that federal National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement officers are not Texas peace officers but are granted specific state law enforcement powers within national parks and recreation areas in Texas. The bill authorizes NPS officers to arrest, search, and seize for state law violations committed in these areas; execute state arrest and search warrants; and exercise public safety powers under Texas Health and Safety Code. It directly affects NPS officers operating in Texas national parks (like Big Bend or Guadalupe Mountains) and individuals committing offenses within those protected areas. The bill defines "national park" using federal law (54 U.S.C. § 100102) and does not create new state authority but clarifies existing federal-state jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic Senate resolution (SR 371), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally recognizes Alberto Torres Jr. for his service as a Laredo City Council member, mayor pro tempore, and community leader. The resolution highlights his work on neighborhood safety improvements, economic development programs, animal welfare ordinances, and water system upgrades in Laredo, with no new laws or funding mechanisms created. It serves solely as a ceremonial honor from the Texas Senate.

Maddy summarySB 2488 creates a statewide homeless data sharing network to connect homeless response systems, health insurers, and housing services through real-time data exchange. It requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to collaborate with the Texas Homeless Network and health benefit issuers to identify individuals experiencing homelessness and refer them to housing navigation and health resources. The bill mandates strict confidentiality for all shared data, ensuring compliance with existing state and federal privacy laws. This policy change enables coordinated service delivery without creating new funding or services, focusing solely on improving data sharing between existing agencies.

Maddy summarySB 2592 would allow Texas counties with populations over 250,000 to replace their current county purchasing agent position. Specifically, a county's commissioners court could vote to abolish the existing purchasing agent role and hire a new agent under a different provision of law. The current agent's term would end on the date set by the court, but they could be rehired for the new position. The bill would take effect immediately if passed by a two-thirds vote in both chambers, or on September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summarySB 2593 allows counties bordering Mexico to establish zoning rules for residential development in unincorporated areas, including platted subdivisions and specific land tracts. It authorizes regulations on building size, lot coverage, housing density, setbacks, utilities, and permitted land uses. The bill requires public hearings and a majority vote by commissioners courts to adopt or amend rules, with stricter three-fourths approval needed if protested by 20% of affected landowners. Violations of these zoning regulations would be treated as criminal offenses under the bill's provisions.

Maddy summarySB 2496 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Department of State Health Services to jointly study the human health risks linked to exposure to hydrogen sulfide. The agencies must complete this study and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Texas legislature by December 1, 2026. The bill expires on January 1, 2027, and does not create new regulations or alter existing laws - its sole purpose is to mandate this health risk assessment. This study will directly inform future policy decisions regarding hydrogen sulfide exposure.

Maddy summarySB 2526 amends Texas education law to explicitly include children receiving special education services under Subchapter A as eligible for free prekindergarten programs in public schools. This change directly affects children already enrolled in special education programs, ensuring they qualify for free pre-K without needing to meet other eligibility criteria like homelessness or military family status. The bill adds this category to the existing list of qualifying groups in Section 29.153(b) of the Education Code. It will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, pending legislative approval.

Maddy summarySB 2588 allows Texas municipalities to redirect sales and use tax revenue originally collected for sports and community venues to fund economic development projects, such as attracting new businesses. It requires voter approval via a majority vote in a special election, with ballot language specifically stating the conversion to "promotion and development of new and expanded business enterprises." Municipalities must notify the comptroller 60 days before implementation and can only convert taxes if they meet specific debt obligations as of September 1, 2025. This bill directly affects local governments with existing venue-related taxes seeking to reallocate funds for broader economic growth. The proposal is currently in the Economic Development committee for review.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain reserve peace officers in specific Texas counties from needing a private security license when performing guard or patrol duties for local government agencies. It directly affects reserve officers working in counties with populations between 250,000 and 650,000 located on an international border, provided their duties are approved by their agency chief and they are compensated solely by that agency. The exemption applies only to these limited duties (patrol, guard, etc.) while the officer maintains their reserve status and full-time peace officer employment. It does not apply to full-time officers, other security work, or counties outside the specified population and border criteria. The change takes effect September 1, 2025.