Sen. Royce West

Maddy summarySB 305 amends Texas Transportation Code Section 545.157(a) to clarify that passing is prohibited when approaching certain stationary vehicles displaying required visual signals. The bill specifically protects eight vehicle types: emergency vehicles, tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, utility service vehicles, municipal waste transport vehicles, toll project vehicles, animal control vehicles, and parking citation vehicles. These vehicles must be stationary with approved signals while operating near roadways. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting drivers who might otherwise pass these vehicles on highways.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to exempt up to $125,000 of the market value of business-used tangible personal property (like equipment or vehicles) from property tax. It would directly affect business owners who hold such property for income generation, such as small business operators or farmers. The amendment would revise the state constitution to authorize this specific exemption amount, replacing the current exemption structure. If approved by voters in November 2025, this would become a permanent constitutional provision enabling future legislation to implement the tax break. The bill is now headed to the November ballot after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 783 exempts certain building regulations from state oversight, specifically clarifying that local governments cannot enforce restrictions on residential or commercial construction that conflict with pre-existing standards. It directly affects municipalities, developers, and historic preservation entities by creating nine specific exemptions, including windstorm insurance requirements, certified Dark Sky Community lighting ordinances, and buildings in historic districts (like National Register sites or Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks). Key provisions allow local ordinances for outdoor lighting to comply with international dark-sky certification standards and preserve existing historic designations without state interference. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers in May 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1358 prohibits local governments (counties, municipalities, or public health districts) from requiring sound regulation permits, charging sound-related fees, or banning sound from deliveries to food service establishments. It specifically applies to deliveries of food, nonalcoholic beverages, food supplies, or ice that occur for one hour or less between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., provided the sound level at the nearest residential property does not exceed 75 dBA (excluding traffic noise). The law prevents local regulations targeting noise from these late-night deliveries, directly affecting restaurants and delivery businesses operating during those hours. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage, limiting coverage, or charging higher rates to individuals who are widowed or whose marital status reflects the death of a spouse, compared to married individuals. It directly affects widowed people applying for or renewing insurance policies. The law requires insurers to treat widowed customers the same as married customers for rate-setting and coverage availability. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not apply to policies delivered or renewed before that date.

Maddy summarySB 2549 changes rules for allocating Texas housing tax credits to developments. It allows multiple developments in the same community to receive credits even if they are closer than two miles apart, but only in cities with 750,000+ residents or federally declared disaster areas - provided the city council specifically approves. This applies only to applications submitted for the 2026 or later qualified allocation plans, not older applications. The change does not affect rehabilitation projects of existing affordable housing.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 533) is a ceremonial Senate commendation recognizing 29 student interns who participated in the Texas Legislative Internship Program during the 89th Legislative Session. It formally acknowledges their service in legislative offices, state agencies, and local government, highlighting the program's role since 1990 in providing students with practical government experience. The resolution does not create new laws or policies - it simply expresses the Senate's appreciation for these interns' contributions. The program is administered by the Mickey Leland Center at Texas Southern University.

Maddy summarySB 1262 amends Texas law to enhance public school safety by allowing school staff to be commissioned as peace officers under specific Education Code provisions. It updates the Texas School Safety Center’s board composition and establishes new requirements for school safety resources and security measures. The bill directly affects Texas public schools, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and the Texas School Safety Center by expanding who can serve as school safety officers and mandating standardized security protocols. Key mechanisms include adding school safety officers to the list of authorized peace officers in the Code of Criminal Procedure and requiring schools to meet specified security resource standards. The bill focuses on structural changes to safety oversight, not on funding or outcome predictions.

Maddy summarySB 2034 creates a legal process for appointing a court receiver to take over a single-source continuum contractor providing child welfare services in Texas when the contractor fails to meet performance standards, plans to stop operations without ensuring service continuity, or poses an imminent risk to children's safety. The bill amends the Family Code to allow the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to petition a court for a receiver if a contractor continues to underperform after improvement plans, fails to provide 60-day notice of shutdown without arranging replacement services, or creates dangerous conditions for children in their care. This applies specifically to contractors operating under community-based care contracts with the state. The law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on May 19, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 536) honors Mark Garcia for his 25 years of service as Texas Senate auditor. It formally recognizes his professional contributions, dedication, and personal involvement with Senate colleagues and community activities like the Senate Christmas band and the Texas MS 150 fundraiser. The resolution directs the Senate to present Garcia with an official copy as a gesture of appreciation for his service. No new laws or policy changes are created by this resolution.