Sen. Judith Zaffirini

Maddy summarySJR 14 proposes a constitutional amendment to give Texas citizens the direct power to propose new laws or constitutional changes through petitions, known as "initiative," and to vote on those proposals, known as "referendum." It requires petitioners to submit a $2,000 filing fee (refundable if the measure reaches the ballot), include two representative voter names, and ensure proposals cover only one subject. The Texas Legislative Council would review proposals for constitutionality and fiscal impact, requiring a fiscal note if state funds are involved, before forwarding them to the Secretary of State for public petitioning. This amendment, if approved, would directly affect Texas voters by expanding their direct role in lawmaking, while adding administrative steps for state officials handling petitions. The bill is currently in the State Affairs committee for review.

Maddy summarySB 54 would allow judges to extend community supervision periods for individuals who fail to pay fines or court costs, but only if the judge determines the person has the financial ability to pay and the extension will increase the likelihood of payment. This extension is limited to an additional two years beyond the current maximums (10 years for felony cases, 3 years for misdemeanors). The bill requires a hearing before any extension and applies to all individuals on community supervision - including deferred adjudication - on or after September 1, 2025, regardless of when they were placed on supervision. It does not change existing fines or costs but modifies how supervision periods may be extended for non-payment.

Maddy summarySB 52 allows Texas public school students to be excused for up to five days per school year to seek mental or behavioral health treatment, support, or diagnosis. School districts must excuse these absences with documentation from a healthcare professional, though they may create policies allowing absences without documentation if students provide prior treatment records or meet with a school counselor (with parental consent). Excused absences cannot penalize students, count against attendance records, or prevent them from making up missed work. The bill directly affects public school students in Texas, school districts, and healthcare providers who provide documentation for treatment. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas voters to choose between observing standard time year-round or daylight saving time year-round through a statewide referendum. If approved by voters in a November 2025 election, the legislature would then pass a law implementing the chosen time option. The referendum would be held on the same day as the vote on this constitutional amendment, with voters selecting their preference via ballot. This change would directly affect all Texas residents by potentially altering the state's time zone schedule.

Maddy summarySB 58 amends Texas Education Code sections 29.002 and 29.011 to update policies for students with disabilities in public schools. It requires school districts to include specific transition planning elements in students' personalized education plans, such as postsecondary education options, vocational evaluations, employment goals, and independent living preparation. The bill specifically addresses how student involvement, parental participation (for those under 18), and authorized representatives (for those 18+) must be coordinated in transition planning. This directly affects students with disabilities in special education programs who are approaching graduation or transition to adulthood. The changes align Texas procedures with federal requirements for transition services.

Maddy summarySB 71 creates specialty license plates for active Texas peace officers, requiring the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue plates displaying "Licensed Peace Officer" with the same design as existing specialty plates. The plates will be provided at no cost to qualified officers, defined as those actively licensed under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects licensed peace officers by offering a free, standardized plate option recognizing their role. This is a procedural change focused solely on plate issuance, with no additional fees or policy shifts.

Maddy summarySB 63 requires commercial swim instruction providers (businesses employing two or more people who teach groups of three or more children under age seven) to obtain a state occupational license. It establishes safety standards, mandates training requirements, and authorizes fees for licensing and enforcement by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation. The bill imposes fines for violations, including administrative penalties, and defines "serious incidents" like injuries or illnesses requiring hospitalization. This directly affects swim schools and instructional businesses, not private lessons or exempt entities like licensed childcare facilities or youth camps.

Maddy summarySB 74 amends Texas law to expand exemptions from residential mortgage loan originator licensing requirements. It exempts specific groups, including mortgage originators working for depository institutions or their regulated subsidiaries, individuals negotiating loans for immediate family members, attorneys handling mortgages as part of client representation (with conditions), and residential property owners who make no more than five mortgage loans annually to purchasers. The bill also updates a previous exemption for property owners from a three- to a five-loan annual limit. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting mortgage professionals and property owners who previously needed licenses for these activities.

Maddy summarySB 64 would create a process for Texas voters to decide whether the state should permanently observe standard time year-round or daylight saving time year-round, but only if federal law changes to allow it. The bill requires a statewide referendum during the first general election after Congress passes relevant legislation, with voters choosing between two options: "Observing standard time year-round" or "Observing daylight saving time year-round." Currently, Texas observes daylight saving time, but this bill would allow voters to change that system through a referendum. The bill itself does not change time zones - it only sets up the voting mechanism if federal law permits it.

Maddy summarySB 67 allows contested case hearings in Texas workers' compensation disputes to be conducted via videoconference under specific conditions. It directly affects claimants who are first responders (like firefighters or police officers) injured in the line of duty, claimants living more than 75 miles from the hearing site, and certain state entities (including the State Office of Risk Management, Texas A&M System, and University of Texas System). The bill requires the Texas Workers' Compensation Division to permit video hearings upon request in these cases, replacing the previous rule that limited hearings to locations within 75 miles of the claimant's residence. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to hearings requested on or after that date.