Sen. Brian Birdwell

Maddy summaryHJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing state taxes on property transferred after someone's death, including estate, inheritance, or gift taxes. It specifically prevents new taxes on these transfers or increases to existing taxes that were in place before January 1, 2025. Exceptions include taxes on motor vehicle gifts, certain property taxes (ad valorem), and taxes already authorized under existing law. This amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election and would affect anyone transferring property through wills, inheritances, or gifts after the amendment takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis is a Senate Resolution (SR 521), not a bill, commemorating Victor Valencia. It honors his life, service, and legacy through formal recognition by the Texas Senate, citing his Navy service (including two medals), business ownership, family dedication, and community involvement. The resolution does not enact any law, impose obligations, or affect any individuals or policies. It was adopted by the Senate on May 14, 2025, as a ceremonial tribute.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 509) formally recognizes the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Texas for its 128-year history of community service and advocacy. It honors the organization's work, including over 2,000 members, 96,000 volunteer hours in 2024, and $400,000 in donations toward local projects. The resolution, adopted by the Texas Senate on May 13, 2025, expresses commendation for their efforts to empower women and strengthen communities but does not create new laws or policies. It is a symbolic gesture of appreciation directed solely toward the women's clubs.

Maddy summaryHJR 98 is a Texas legislative resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose spending limits on the federal government, reduce federal power over states, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. Texas formally applies to Congress to initiate this process, with the resolution intended as a continuing application until at least 34 states (two-thirds) support the same purpose. This is a procedural request - Texas has no authority to create new laws, but aims to join other states in advancing this constitutional mechanism.

Maddy summarySB 1145 allows the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to issue permits for applying treated wastewater from oil and gas operations onto land, directly affecting oil and gas companies seeking to reuse this water. The bill requires TCEQ to establish standards preventing pollution of surface and groundwater during land application. It creates a new permitting process for "produced water" (wastewater from extraction) that has been treated for beneficial use, replacing previous requirements under the Railroad Commission. The law applies only to permits filed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 1147 directs the state to withdraw from the Interstate Mining Compact, effective immediately upon the governor's signature (May 13, 2025). The bill requires the governor to notify other compact states and publish withdrawal notice in the Texas Register. It abolishes two state offices - the Interstate Mining Compact Commissioner and Texas Mining Council - and repeals Chapter 132 of the Natural Resources Code. This bill affects Texas state agencies and officials managing mining-related interstate agreements, ending Texas's participation in the compact.

Maddy summarySB 2779 directs Texas to allocate 2% of hotel occupancy tax revenue collected in eligible coastal municipalities (those with beach park boards under Local Government Code Chapter 306) to those park boards for public beach cleaning and maintenance. To qualify, municipalities must first allocate at least 1% of their own hotel tax revenue for beach upkeep and either apply for state beach funds or provide comparable data to the comptroller. The bill also adds a new provision prohibiting the use of these funds for any discriminatory programs or activities. This policy change affects coastal municipalities with designated beach management boards and ensures funds are specifically used for beach maintenance under defined conditions.

Maddy summarySJR 57 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit Texas state funds from being used to pay debts or obligations of local public retirement systems (like city or county pension plans). It would amend the Texas Constitution to state that the state is not liable for these systems' debts and that the legislature cannot appropriate state money to cover them. This change would directly affect local retirement systems by shifting financial responsibility entirely to those systems, rather than allowing state funding to cover shortfalls. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 506) is a symbolic gesture by the Texas Senate to recognize May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month. It formally acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States and Texas, including their roles in the Texas Revolution, community founding, and cultural enrichment. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it serves only as a ceremonial acknowledgment by the Texas Senate. It directly affects the state legislature's official recognition of this observance. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 8, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to create two dedicated funds supporting Texas State Technical College System (TSTC) capital projects and equipment. It establishes a "permanent technical institution infrastructure fund" for long-term capital needs (like buildings) and an "available workforce education fund" for immediate operational costs, both administered outside general state funding. This would remove TSTC from annual appropriations that typically apply to other public colleges, providing the system with guaranteed funding streams for infrastructure without competing for general higher education funds. The amendment requires specific distribution rules and prohibits using these funds for non-educational purposes.