Sen. Brian Birdwell

Maddy summarySB 9 amends Texas Tax Code sections to update how local taxing units (like cities, counties, and school districts) calculate voter-approval tax rates when implementing or adjusting sales taxes. It introduces specific formulas that account for new sales tax revenue by adding a "sales tax gain rate" to the calculation, ensuring the voter-approval rate reflects the impact of the new revenue source. The bill differentiates rules based on the taxing unit type, applying multipliers of 1.08 for special districts, 1.035 for small municipalities/counties (<30,000 population), and 1.025 for others. These changes directly affect how local governments determine tax rates that require voter approval when they add or modify sales taxes.

Maddy summarySB 1758 creates a legal exemption for cement kilns and aggregate production facilities that began operations before nearby semiconductor wafer manufacturing plants. Specifically, it states that owners/operators of such pre-existing cement/aggregate facilities cannot be held liable for vibration damage to semiconductor facilities caused by their operations, provided the cement/aggregate facility started before the semiconductor plant. The bill also establishes a two-year pilot program in Grayson County (ending in 2027) to study vibration impacts, managed by the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology. This directly affects semiconductor manufacturers and cement/aggregate operators in areas where these facilities operate near each other. The law applies statewide but includes a limited pilot program for Grayson County.

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 1 is the Texas General Appropriations Bill for the 2026-2027 state budget cycle. It allocates state funds to multiple government agencies and programs, including those under General Government, Health and Human Services, and Education. The bill specifies funding amounts for operational expenses, personnel, and specific initiatives across these departments. It directly affects state agencies by providing their budget authority for the biennium, enabling them to deliver services as outlined in the appropriations. This bill focuses on funding allocation, not new policy creation.

Maddy summarySB 1220 removes a requirement that criminal courts must wait for civil or administrative remedies to be exhausted before hearing criminal cases. It directly affects Texas criminal trial courts by allowing them to exercise jurisdiction over criminal actions without first resolving related civil matters. The key provision, added to the Government Code, states that exhaustion of civil remedies is not needed unless specifically required by law. This change applies to all criminal cases filed before, on, or after the bill's effective date (June 20, 2025).

Maddy summarySB 260 increases funding for school safety in Texas public schools under the Foundation School Program. It raises the per-student allotment from $10 to $20 per student in average daily attendance and doubles the campus safety allotment from $15,000 to $30,000 per school campus. These changes apply to all Texas public school districts and take effect September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects school funding formulas by increasing state support for safety resources at both the student and campus levels. The policy change provides additional state funds specifically designated for school safety measures.

Maddy summarySB 38 amends Texas Property Code to clarify procedures for eviction lawsuits involving tenants who lack legal right to occupy property. It specifies that justice courts must handle eviction cases in the precinct where the property is located, with limited circumstances allowing case transfers to adjacent precincts (e.g., if service delays occur or trials cannot be scheduled within 21 days). The bill prohibits courts from charging additional filing or service fees when transferring cases and explicitly states that eviction courts cannot rule on property title disputes or allow separate claims against third parties. This affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings by streamlining court processes and limiting judicial overreach.

Maddy summaryHB 5696 creates The Reserve Municipal Management District, a local government entity in Mansfield, Texas, primarily affecting landowners and property within the district. The bill authorizes the district to issue bonds for infrastructure projects and impose assessments, fees, and taxes to fund public services like roads, parks, and safety. It explicitly states the district is designed to supplement, not replace, existing city services and aims to promote economic development, tourism, and public welfare in the area. The district’s creation aligns with Texas constitutional provisions for special districts focused on community improvement.

Maddy summarySB 869 limits the Texas Ethics Commission's ability to delay resolving ethics complaints by restricting when its resolution deadline can be paused. Specifically, the bill states that the commission may only pause the deadline during active court litigation involving the complaint, and cannot extend the deadline for any other reason. This change applies only to complaints filed on or after September 1, 2025, with pre-existing complaints governed by prior rules. The law aims to prevent indefinite delays in resolving ethics complaints by enforcing a strict timeline.

Maddy summaryHB 4384 allows gas utilities to defer certain unrecovered costs - like interest on unpaid infrastructure, depreciation, and property taxes - associated with facilities already in service. These deferred costs become "regulatory assets" that must later be recovered through customer rates. The Railroad Commission of Texas will review these costs during rate proceedings and may require refunds if costs are disallowed. This bill directly affects Texas gas utilities by changing how they account for and recover legacy infrastructure costs, without altering current rate structures.