Sen. Judith Zaffirini

Maddy summarySB 188 establishes new standards for Texas behavioral health crisis services, directly affecting crisis centers, mobile crisis outreach teams, and youth crisis outreach teams. The bill requires crisis centers to partner with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, meet specific care standards (including culturally competent services and follow-up), and coordinate care with hospitals and treatment providers. It creates a "988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Trust Fund" funded by an authorized fee to support these services. The law aims to improve real-time coordination of crisis care across mental health systems while ensuring services meet national best practices.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 110), not a law. It formally recognizes February 19, 2025, as "Rio Grande Valley Day" at the Texas State Capitol. The resolution commemorates the region's history, economic significance (including its role in cross-border trade), and population growth. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply honors the Rio Grande Valley region for a Capitol event.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution invites Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock to address a joint session of the Texas legislature on February 26, 2025. It implements a state law requiring the chief justice to deliver an annual "state of the judiciary" message evaluating court accessibility and needs. The resolution specifically schedules this address for the start of the 89th Legislature's regular session, as mandated by statute. It does not create new laws or affect any citizens or organizations beyond facilitating this required legislative communication.

Maddy summaryThis procedural resolution (SCR 14) allows the Texas legislature to take a longer break than normally permitted under the state constitution. It grants both the Senate and House permission to adjourn for more than three days during the specific period of February 13-18, 2025 (a five-day window), bypassing Section 17 of the Texas Constitution that typically restricts such adjournments without mutual consent. The resolution directly affects the Texas legislature’s scheduling during that week, enabling extended breaks for lawmakers. It was approved by both chambers and signed into effect on February 18, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (SR 87) honoring Shelly Cantu-Valdez, a Freer, Texas resident who died January 12, 2025. The resolution expresses the Texas Senate's condolences to her family and commits to adjourning the session in her memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it solely serves to memorialize her life and contributions. The resolution directly affects her family and the Texas Senate, which formally recognized her legacy as a public servant, paralegal, and community advocate.

Maddy summarySB 919 amends Texas public information laws to clarify how government bodies must respond to public records requests. It requires government officials to notify requesters in writing within 10 business days if no responsive information exists (Section 1(f)) or if information is withheld based on a prior decision (Section 1(g)), specifying the exact exception used. The bill also creates a process for requesters to file complaints with the Attorney General if a government body fails to comply, which could trigger mandatory staff training and require the government to release withheld information unless a "compelling reason" exists (Section 4). This directly affects Texas government agencies handling public records and citizens seeking those records.

Maddy summarySJR 42 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how the Texas legislature handles bills during regular sessions. It would require the first 30 days of each regular session to focus solely on introducing bills and holding committee hearings, after which the legislature must act on pending bills during the remaining session time (with limited exceptions for emergency matters and recess appointments). This procedural change affects the legislative process itself, not specific constituents or policies. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2025 election.

Maddy summarySB 998 creates the Alzheimer's Prevention and Research Institute of Texas within the Health and Safety Code. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, research facilities, and other organizations to accelerate Alzheimer's research, develop prevention strategies, and fund treatments for the disease. It requires the institute to create a statewide research plan, establish oversight committees, and maintain a data registry for Alzheimer's-related studies. The institute is scheduled to sunset on September 1, 2035, unless extended under Texas law.

Maddy summarySB 962 requires Texas Medicaid and similar public benefits programs to allow recipients to receive specific services remotely via telehealth, including applied behavior analysis, behavior supports, and related evaluations. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries, child health plan enrollees, and others enrolled in state-administered public benefits programs. The bill mandates that these remote services be provided "to the extent permitted by federal law and cost-effective," covering services like therapy, case management, and waiver program assessments. Implementation is set for September 1, 2025, pending any necessary federal approvals.

Maddy summarySB 967 would raise Texas' minimum marriage age to 18 by eliminating exceptions that previously allowed minors under 18 to marry with court orders. The bill amends Texas Family Code sections 2.009, 2.101, and 6.205 to state that county clerks cannot issue marriage licenses to anyone under 18, and marriages involving minors would be void - even if a court had previously removed the minor's "disabilities of minority." This change applies only to marriage licenses issued or marriages entered into on or after September 1, 2025. The bill repeals existing exceptions allowing minors to marry with court orders in Texas or other states.