Sen. Royce West

Maddy summarySB 1555 establishes a state grant program to fund railroad grade separation projects at local road and pedestrian crossings not on state highways. Local governments (cities, counties) can apply for grants to build overpasses or underpasses at these intersections to improve safety and reduce traffic conflicts. The program requires at least 10% of project costs from non-state sources (like local funds or federal grants), prohibits using state highway funds for these grants, and mandates that recipients partner with the Texas Department of Transportation to manage construction. Signed into law on May 24, 2025, this policy directly affects communities with railroad crossings near public roads or sidewalks.

Maddy summarySB 499 amends Texas law to allow the board of directors for the West Coke County Hospital District (and similar districts) to select any bank - not just those located within the district - as a depository for district funds. The bill removes the requirement that depository banks must be "in the district," expanding the pool of eligible banks. This change directly affects hospital districts managing public funds by giving them more flexibility in choosing financial institutions. The bill takes effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote or September 1, 2025, if not.

Maddy summarySB 1490 amends Texas Education Code Section 12.263(b) to change how attendance is calculated for adult high school charter programs. It establishes new attendance rates based on enrollment duration: 100% for students enrolled 75%+ of the year, 75% for 50-75%, 50% for 25-50%, and 25% for 10-25%. This directly affects adult education programs operating under charters by altering the attendance metrics used to determine state funding. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, replacing previous attendance thresholds for funding calculations.

Maddy summarySB 1841 makes specific personal information collected by local governments and airport authorities confidential, preventing disclosure under Texas public records laws. It directly affects airports, parking facilities, and local governments that collect data like names, license plates, payment details, parking timestamps, travel itineraries, and payment card numbers from users. The bill requires these entities to keep such information private rather than making it publicly accessible through standard transparency requests. This law, signed by the governor and effective September 1, 2025, updates Texas Transportation Code provisions to protect passenger data collected during airport visits and related services.

Maddy summarySB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia causes, prevention, and treatment. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and research groups to expand dementia-related studies and create jobs. It establishes three committees to oversee funding and research priorities, with the program set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless renewed under Texas law. The bill directly affects Texas research institutions receiving grants and aims to improve dementia health outcomes for state residents. This legislation became law after being signed by the Governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 842 creates legal immunity for ringside physicians working at combative sports events (like boxing or MMA) in Texas, protecting them from civil lawsuits for actions taken within their professional duties. This applies to all such physicians at these events, except when their conduct involves gross negligence. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor’s signature, which occurred on May 24, 2025. It does not change medical standards but limits civil liability for routine professional actions during events. The bill directly affects physicians employed at these events by reducing their exposure to lawsuits over standard medical care.

Maddy summaryHB 1399 creates a property tax exemption for animal feed held by owners for retail sale in Texas. It directly affects agricultural retailers and feed suppliers who currently pay ad valorem (property) taxes on inventory. The bill exempts this inventory from property tax if it's already exempt from sales/use taxes under existing law. The exemption applies only to tax years starting January 1, 2026, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in the November 2025 election. If the amendment fails, the bill has no effect.

Maddy summaryHB 136 requires Texas Medicaid to reimburse certified lactation consultants for services provided to Medicaid recipients (mothers and infants). It creates a new provider classification specifically for lactation consultants in the Medicaid program, ensuring they can enroll and receive payment for services. The bill defines "lactation consultant" as someone certified by an international or nationally approved program and mandates that the state commission establish this reimbursement pathway. This law took effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting Medicaid-covered breastfeeding support for Texas families.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas property appraisers to automatically grant property tax exemptions for land used in human burials under specific conditions. It directly affects owners of burial property who did not submit exemption applications, shifting responsibility from owners to appraisers. The key mechanism mandates that exemptions apply if the appraiser identifies the property through inspection (meeting Section 11.17 criteria), no application was filed, and the owner cannot be identified. This change takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3135 creates specialty license plates for retired firefighters in Texas, directly affecting eligible retired personnel who served as volunteer firefighters certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or the State Firefighters' Association, or as career fire protection staff under state law. The bill requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to design and issue these plates at no cost to qualifying individuals. It defines "retired firefighter" specifically to include both certified volunteers and career personnel meeting certain criteria. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, making these plates available to eligible retirees without additional fees.