Sen. Royce West

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 526) is a ceremonial gesture by the Texas Senate honoring Berna Dean Steptoe's retirement from WFAA in Dallas after 33 years of journalism. It recognizes her work producing "Inside Texas Politics," her 2019 Walter Cronkite Award for political journalism, and her community involvement. The Senate formally congratulates her and extends "sincere best wishes for the future" through a written resolution. As a procedural resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any laws or constituents.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 13) urges the U.S. Department of State and the International Boundary and Water Commission to ensure Mexico complies with the 1944 Treaty on shared water resources. It specifically addresses Mexico's failure to deliver the required 350,000 acre-feet of water annually (averaged over five years), with a current deficit of 984,814 acre-feet. The resolution highlights how this shortfall harms Texas water users, including municipal, agricultural, and industrial sectors in the Rio Grande Valley, impacting reservoir levels and causing economic losses like the closure of Texas' only sugar mill. As a non-binding resolution, it formally requests U.S. federal agencies to take action but does not change legal obligations.

Maddy summarySB 599 prevents local governments in Texas from imposing stricter health and safety regulations on licensed child-care homes or registered family homes than those established by state law or the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. It directly affects day-care providers operating under state registration, ensuring they face only uniform standards statewide. The bill’s key provision prohibits cities or counties from creating additional local rules that exceed existing state requirements for these facilities. This aims to provide regulatory certainty for child-care providers while maintaining consistent safety standards across the state.

Maddy summarySB 304 allows Texas municipalities to expand municipal court authority to enforce existing health, safety, and nuisance abatement ordinances. It grants courts civil jurisdiction within city limits and on city-owned property in surrounding areas, plus power to issue search warrants for investigations and seizure warrants to secure or remove hazardous property. This directly affects cities and their municipal courts by altering enforcement mechanisms under current laws. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 384 allows hunters and anglers to voluntarily donate $1, $5, $10, or $20 to the Operation Game Thief Fund when applying for a Texas hunting or fishing license. The bill requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to include donation options on license applications and its website. Funds collected must be deposited into the Operation Game Thief Fund within 14 days of receipt, after deducting reasonable administrative costs. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects all applicants for these licenses.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution (S.R.ANo.A540) honors Builders of Hope (BOH), a Dallas-based nonprofit, for its work in affordable housing. BOH, certified as Dallas County's only Community Housing Development Organization since 1998, has built over 500 homes, created 1,500 construction jobs, and generated an estimated $30 million in wealth for low-to-moderate-income families through homeownership programs. The resolution recognizes BOH's role in revitalizing neighborhoods, addressing gentrification, and providing homebuyer education and down payment assistance - such as $760,000 in support for 19 homes in 2025. It does not create new policy or funding but formally acknowledges BOH's contributions by directing the Texas Senate to present a copy of the resolution to the organization.

Maddy summarySB 1624 expands the purposes for which the Texas Water Bank and Texas Water Trust can accept and hold water rights. It specifically allows the Water Bank to facilitate water rights transfers, maintain a registry of available water, and encourage conservation by accepting deposits of conserved water. The Texas Water Trust is formally established to hold water rights dedicated to environmental needs like instream flow, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and bay/estuary inflows. These changes directly affect water right holders, conservation groups, and entities needing water for environmental protection, enabling more structured water transactions for both agricultural use and ecological preservation.

Maddy summarySB 582 requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to make agreements with school districts regarding special investigations publicly disclosable under Texas law. Specifically, these agreements must clearly explain the allegations against the district in plain language and include any agreed-upon factual findings related to those allegations. The bill applies only to agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025, and affects TEA and school districts involved in such investigations. It aims to increase transparency in settlements following TEA investigations without changing the investigation process itself.

Maddy summarySB 577 proposes a program to manage federal benefits for foster children in Texas. It requires the Department of Family and Protective Services to work with the comptroller to establish interest-bearing trust accounts for children in foster care who receive U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The department would serve as the child's representative payee, deposit benefits into these accounts, and manage funds to maintain the child's eligibility for ongoing benefits. Funds would be disbursed in full (or in $5,000 quarterly installments for larger balances) when the child turns 18 or leaves foster care, whichever occurs first. The bill is pending in committee and not yet law.