Sen. Royce West

Maddy summarySJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead exemption for school district property taxes in Texas from $100,000 to $140,000. This change would directly reduce the taxable value of a primary residence for school taxes, lowering property tax bills for homeowners. The amendment requires voter approval in a November 2025 election to take effect for the 2025 tax year. If passed, it would provide an additional $40,000 in tax relief on primary homes for school funding purposes.

Maddy summarySB 1944 amends Texas law to change how housing tax credits are allocated to developments in the same community. It allows credits for multiple projects if they meet specific criteria: either in cities with over 2 million residents or federally declared disaster areas with municipal approval, or in "high opportunity developments" defined by low poverty rates (below 20% or regional median), higher median household incomes, and compatible zoning. The bill targets credits toward developments in areas with certain socioeconomic characteristics, such as census tracts with lower poverty and higher income levels. It directly affects developers seeking tax credits and municipalities managing housing programs.

Maddy summarySB 1625 requires public water supply and wastewater systems in Texas to immediately report specific security incidents to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Department of Information Resources. It mandates reporting for events like unauthorized access attempts, ransomware attacks, terrorism threats, or system disruptions that could impact water safety. Key examples include cyber intrusions targeting operational systems, theft of critical equipment, or natural disasters causing service outages. This directly affects all public water and wastewater providers across the state, including small nonindustrial systems. The bill clarifies reporting obligations without specifying enforcement actions or penalties.

Maddy summarySB 27 modifies Texas education law to protect public school educators' rights and provide financial support. It requires salary reductions for unpaid leave to be calculated using annual salary divided by expected workdays (affecting teachers, counselors, and librarians), waives certification exam fees for first-time applicants in special education and bilingual programs, and prevents sanctions against educators who leave probationary contracts after the 45th day before school starts due to serious illness or spouse relocation. The bill directly impacts educators seeking certification and those on probationary contracts, while also directing the Texas Education Agency to cover exam fees for qualifying applicants. These changes aim to reduce financial barriers and provide clearer protections for educators during employment transitions.

Maddy summarySB 524 repeals three specific provisions from a previous law (S.B. 938, 2021) that would have exempted veteran-owned businesses from franchise tax and certain filing fees starting January 1, 2026. The bill cancels these planned exemptions, meaning veteran-owned businesses will not receive the tax relief originally scheduled under the repealed sections. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, before the previous exemptions were set to begin. The bill directly affects businesses owned by veterans in Texas that would have qualified for the repealed tax benefits.

Maddy summarySB 1782 requires owners or operators of Texas group homes to obtain and maintain criminal history records from the Texas Department of Public Safety for all job applicants and employees. It mandates keeping records for at least 30 days after rejecting an applicant or for the entire employment duration if hired. The bill prohibits hiring individuals convicted of specific offenses listed in the Penal Code (including violent crimes, sexual offenses, and certain drug offenses) and imposes Class B misdemeanor penalties for failing to conduct checks or Class A misdemeanor penalties for hiring prohibited individuals. This law directly affects group homes - defined as facilities housing unrelated residents with basic services like meals and housekeeping but excluding licensed care facilities, hotels, or dormitories - and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2231 requires Texas public colleges and universities to waive application fees during the second full week of October each year, designated as "Free College Application Week." This policy directly affects Texas students applying for undergraduate admission to any public higher education institution in the state. The bill mandates the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish this annual fee waiver period, with implementation beginning for the 2025-2026 academic year. The provision applies to all public institutions of higher education in Texas and removes a financial barrier during the designated week. The law took effect immediately after Governor's signature on May 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) adopted by the Texas Senate on May 21, 2025. It formally recognizes the five students in the 13th class of the Senator Gregory Luna Legislative Scholars and Fellows Program - Ben Aguillon, Rachel Sepulveda, Leticia Sofia Torres, Christell Valdes, and Ezra Villarreal - for their service in Texas Senate offices during the 89th Legislative Session. The resolution commends their "remarkable service and excellent work" and provides them with a formal copy as a gesture of the Senate's "high regard." No new laws, funding, or policy changes are created by this resolution.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows authorized caregivers (like foster parents or guardians) to cover costs for out-of-network medical care - such as specialists outside Medicaid networks - for children in foster care. It requires caregivers to notify the child's caseworker within 10 business days of assuming responsibility, while ensuring the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services remains non-liable unless a court orders otherwise. The law preserves foster children’s access to Medicaid benefits and does not affect parental rights or court authority to mandate department coverage. It became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 2566 establishes a "special right of access" for Texas legislators, their committees, and legislative staff to request public information (including confidential data) from government agencies for legislative purposes. Government agencies must provide this information without charging fees when a request specifies it is for legislative use, and they cannot waive confidentiality protections by sharing it. The bill adds administrative penalties for agencies that fail to comply with these requirements. It directly affects all Texas state and local government agencies that handle public records, ensuring legislators can access necessary information to perform their duties.