Sen. Royce West

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 506) is a symbolic gesture by the Texas Senate to recognize May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month. It formally acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States and Texas, including their roles in the Texas Revolution, community founding, and cultural enrichment. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it serves only as a ceremonial acknowledgment by the Texas Senate. It directly affects the state legislature's official recognition of this observance. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 8, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 636 would require certain state-run health benefit plans to provide mental health and substance use disorder coverage at the same level as physical health care. It specifically applies to basic coverage plans under Chapters 1551, 1575, 1579, and 1601 of the Texas Insurance Code, directly affecting state employees and other enrollees in these plans. The bill amends insurance code sections to mandate parity, ensuring these services aren't subject to stricter limits than physical health care. Key provisions clarify which plans must comply and exclude certain policy types like short-term travel or accident-only coverage. The bill was reported adversely by the Health & Human Services Committee in April 2025.

Maddy summarySB 569 allows Texas school districts to adjust how student attendance is calculated during emergencies (like natural disasters or pandemics) to maintain funding under the Foundation School Program. It authorizes the commissioner of education to grant waivers or modifications to average daily attendance rules during crises, preventing funding cuts that would otherwise occur if attendance dropped due to virtual learning or school closures. The bill also permits the commissioner to charge a fee for processing these attendance adjustments. This directly affects school districts relying on state funding tied to attendance metrics during emergency periods.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Texas public universities to disregard undergraduate applicants' academic records older than 10 years when evaluating admission, but requires them to retain the most recent 5 years of grades and credits. Colleges must publicly post their specific policies on this practice and cannot selectively ignore only parts of the 10-year window - they must disregard all records from that period if they choose to apply the policy. The law applies to admissions for the 2025 fall semester and affects how institutions count credits toward degree requirements for students using this "academic fresh start" option. It also ties state funding for relevant credits to this policy starting in 2025.

Maddy summarySB 28 prohibits purchasing or facilitating the purchase of state lottery tickets via telephone, internet, or mobile applications. It specifically bans individuals from buying tickets online or through apps (a Class C misdemeanor) and bans selling or arranging such purchases for compensation (a Class A misdemeanor). The bill directly affects residents attempting to access lottery games digitally and businesses or individuals offering such services. It creates new criminal penalties under Section 466.318 of the Government Code, effective September 1, 2025. The law aims to enforce existing age and location restrictions for lottery play by closing digital loopholes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJR 78) proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Texas legislature to pass laws exempting certain perishable retail inventory from property taxes. It would directly affect retailers selling perishable goods like fresh food, prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and dietary supplements held for sale. If approved by voters in 2025, the amendment would enable the legislature to define "perishable inventory" and create tax exemptions for these items through general law. The measure does not change current tax rules but would provide a constitutional basis for future legislative action on this issue.

Maddy summarySB 2907 would exempt certain perishable retail inventory from property tax in Texas. It specifically covers food (excluding alcohol), prescription and nonprescription drugs, and dietary supplements held for retail sale. Businesses selling these items would qualify for the tax exemption unless they owed delinquent taxes to the state or local taxing units as of January 1 of the tax year. The exemption applies only to tax years starting January 1, 2026, and depends on voter approval of a related constitutional amendment. The bill is currently pending in committee as of May 5, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 490) recognizing Clarence Moore for 50 years of membership in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. The Texas Senate formally commends Mr. Moore for his long-term service and contributions to the fraternity’s mission, specifically noting his induction into the Gamma Gamma Chapter in 1975. The resolution includes a copy of the tribute for Mr. Moore as a gesture of esteem from the Senate. As a procedural resolution, it has no legislative effect or policy changes beyond this symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 491) from the Texas Senate. It formally recognizes Dr. Lew Blackburn for his 50-year membership and service to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, specifically highlighting his induction in 1975 and role as a community role model. The resolution commends him for his contributions to the fraternity's mission and presents a copy to him as an expression of esteem. It does not create any new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding Senate resolution (SR 493) from the Texas 89th Legislature commemorating Charles L. Fisher, a Dallas educator and former school principal who died in December 2024. The resolution honors his life, career as a teacher and administrator in Dallas ISD, military service, community involvement, and family. It expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and resolves to commemorate his memory upon the Senate's adjournment. This resolution affects no legislation or policy - it solely serves as a ceremonial tribute.