Sen. Judith Zaffirini

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a fee schedule for attorneys representing children or parents in custody cases filed by government entities (like child welfare agencies), specifically for attorneys not working for official child or parent representation offices. It requires counties to create a detailed payment system based on time spent in court and out-of-court work, plus reasonable expenses, paid from county general funds. The bill also adds safeguards: courts can remove attorneys who submit false payment claims, and attorneys can appeal payment denials to a regional judge within 60 days. This directly affects attorneys appointed in these specific government-filed cases, ensuring consistent compensation through county-administered fees rather than relying on parents' ability to pay.

Maddy summaryHB 449 would have made it a crime to create or share deepfake sexual media without the depicted person's consent, targeting AI-generated content that falsely shows real people in explicit situations. It defined "deep fake media" as computer-altered videos appearing authentic, and prohibited distributing such content showing a person's private body parts or sexual conduct. The bill applied only to offenses occurring after its effective date (September 1, 2025), and would have governed cases involving non-consensual deepfake content. However, the bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 22, 2025, so it never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 4885 amends Texas Family Code sections to allow juvenile court records to be shared with "managed assigned counsel programs" that appoint attorneys for indigent youth in juvenile court cases. This directly affects attorneys and legal aid programs responsible for representing youth in juvenile proceedings, specifically enabling them to access records needed to determine financial need or appoint counsel. The bill adds a new disclosure exception (Family Code §58.004(b)(6)) and updates disclosure rules (§58.005(a-1)(10)) to include these programs as authorized recipients. The bill passed both chambers in May 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor on June 22, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 705 established a Cosmetology Licensure Compact in Texas, allowing cosmetologists licensed in participating states to practice across state lines without reapplying for new licenses. It directly affects licensed cosmetologists, military members relocating with their families, and state regulatory agencies by creating uniform licensing standards and enabling cross-state practice. Key provisions include standardized requirements for licensure, sharing of disciplinary information between states, and support for military personnel's mobility. The bill was passed by both legislative chambers and sent to the Governor, but was vetoed on June 22, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 766 requires candidates for precinct chair in Texas elections to provide either an email address, a phone number, or both in their ballot applications. This rule applies to all candidates running for precinct chair positions and adds to existing ballot requirements. The bill also makes this contact information confidential, preventing it from being disclosed as public records under Texas law. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4042 amends Texas law to adjust regulatory fees and safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines operated by utilities. It requires pipeline operators to pay annual fees based on service lines ($1 per line) or master metered systems ($100 per system), due March 15 or June 30 each year. Operators must recover these fees through rate surcharges, excluding them from municipal franchise fees, certain taxes, and sales tax calculations. The bill directly affects investor-owned and cooperative natural gas distribution companies in Texas. These changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2111 requires Texas courts to appoint lawyers for indigent defendants who have a potentially meritorious claim in post-conviction habeas corpus proceedings. It specifically covers claims of actual innocence, lesser offenses, unconstitutional convictions, or constitutional violations. The bill amends court procedures to ensure defendants with these claims receive legal representation to file or pursue habeas corpus applications. This directly affects indigent individuals seeking relief after conviction who meet the defined criteria for a "potentially meritorious claim." The bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 22, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summarySB 25 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to provide daily moderate or vigorous physical activity for students in prekindergarten through grade 8. Specifically, it mandates at least 30 minutes daily for grades K-5 and 30 minutes daily for at least four semesters in grades 6-8, with alternatives for scheduling challenges (e.g., 135 minutes weekly). The bill prohibits schools from restricting student participation in physical activity as punishment for academic or behavioral issues. It directly affects K-8 students and school employees responsible for implementing physical education curricula, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 22 establishes the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund to provide financial support for film and television productions filmed in Texas. It requires the Music, Film, Television, and Multimedia Office to deny grants for projects containing "inappropriate content" or portraying Texas/Texans "in a negative fashion," while also prohibiting grants for pornography, news programming, religious content, non-commercial projects, and state advertising. The bill explicitly lists ineligible project types, including political ads, sporting events, and video games used in gambling. It creates a dedicated funding mechanism for eligible productions and authorizes the Office to administer grants using money from the incentive fund or other approved sources. The law directly affects production companies seeking financial support for qualifying Texas-based film and TV projects.

Maddy summarySB 1255 establishes regulations for mold assessors and remediators in Texas by defining "mold" to include fungi, spores, hyphae, and mycotoxins. The bill creates exemptions for routine cleaning, plumbing repairs, real estate inspections, and government custodial work, clarifying that these activities are not subject to the new rules. It also establishes an advisory board to advise on licensing standards, training requirements, and technical practices for mold assessment and remediation. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to conduct occurring after that date.