Sen. Royce West

Maddy summarySB 1361 establishes a state-funded disaster recovery loan program for Texas small businesses (21-99 employees) and micro-businesses. It creates a dedicated "small- and micro-business recovery fund" in the general revenue fund and requires the state bank to provide zero-interest loans to community development financial institutions (CDFIs). These CDFIs would then make interest-bearing loans to qualifying businesses that struggle to access capital after disasters. The program aims to help create jobs by expanding capital access for eligible businesses across Texas.

Maddy summarySB 35 amends the Texas Transportation Code to limit the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to no more than two design-build contracts per state fiscal biennium, down from a previous cap of six. This change directly affects TxDOT's ability to award these types of construction contracts for transportation projects. The bill specifies that TxDOT cannot enter into more than two such contracts in each two-year budget cycle. The legislation does not alter project selection, funding mechanisms, or broader transportation policies - only the numerical limit on contracts. It takes effect on September 1, 2025, unless approved for immediate effect by a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summarySB 1080 requires Texas licensing authorities to issue either a full occupational license or a provisional license (valid for six months) to otherwise qualified applicants who have been convicted of certain offenses, instead of automatically denying their applications. The provisional license begins on the date an applicant is released from prison if they were incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This bill directly affects individuals with criminal convictions seeking occupational licenses (such as for nursing, contracting, or other licensed professions) who meet all other qualification requirements. It aims to reduce barriers to employment by providing a temporary licensing pathway for these applicants.

Maddy summarySB 314 prohibits Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools from including seven specific food additives - brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, propylparaben, azodicarbonamide, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), red dye 3, and titanium dioxide - in free or reduced-price meals served under federal programs like the National School Lunch Program. The bill applies to food contracts entered into or renewed on or after September 1, 2025, with potential earlier implementation if passed with a two-thirds legislative vote. It directly affects schools serving eligible students through federally funded meal programs. The law does not restrict additives in paid meals or other school food offerings.

Maddy summarySB 2425 would establish a regulatory framework for automated motor vehicles (self-driving cars) in Texas by defining key terms like "automated driving system" (Level 3-5 automation per SAE standards) and requiring authorization from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for operators. The bill creates a criminal offense related to the operation of these vehicles, though specific violations aren't detailed in the provided text. It would directly affect companies and individuals operating self-driving cars by mandating departmental approval, setting operational standards, and defining responsibilities for the "dynamic driving task" (e.g., steering, braking, and lane changes).

Maddy summarySB 747 amends Texas education law to address the production and distribution of intimate visual material (including AI-generated content) by public school students. It expands the definition of cyberbullying to include sharing such material without consent and requires school districts to update anti-bullying policies with specific measures like student instruction on relationship-building, anonymous reporting systems, and annual bullying surveys. The bill also mandates the state to develop educational programs for schools about legal consequences and risks of sharing intimate visual material, particularly AI-created content. These changes apply to all Texas public schools starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 570 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt attendance policies aimed at preventing truancy. These policies must inform students and parents about attendance benefits, describe consequences like academic impacts and potential truancy court referrals, and mandate schools to notify parents about absences via email/text or mail. Schools must also hold meetings with parents when students risk truancy and provide referrals to support services for students struggling to attend. The policy takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 673 prevents Texas cities and counties from banning or restricting accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary housing units on single-family lots - from being built, leased, or converted. It blocks local rules requiring parking for small lots, minimum lot sizes, or most fees (like impact fees), but allows standard building code requirements and height/setback limits. Local governments can still set design rules for ADUs, such as maximum size or setbacks, and may charge fees only if the unit requires new infrastructure like water connections. This bill directly affects homeowners seeking to add ADUs and local governments managing zoning regulations.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 1370 requires counties with a population exceeding 2.5 million (based on the latest federal census) to establish and maintain a medical examiner office. Counties with fewer than 1 million residents may choose to create such an office. The bill also allows two or more counties (regardless of size) to form a joint medical examiner district covering their entire contiguous areas. This law takes effect on September 1, 2025, directly impacting county governments in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 1447 requires the Texas Education Agency to create standards for public schools using electronic devices and software. It mandates that schools minimize student data collection, obtain direct parental consent for most apps (except essential testing tools), and prohibit apps from conducting unauthorized mental health assessments. The bill also requires schools to provide parents with cybersecurity resources, set device deactivation periods for safety, and consider age-appropriate device use in classrooms. These standards apply directly to all Texas public school districts and charter schools, affecting how they manage student technology access.