Sen. Royce West

Maddy summarySB 607 requires Texas' Department of Family and Protective Services to provide monetary assistance to caregivers who take in children through "parental child safety placements" if the caregiver's family income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. The bill mandates that the department enter into caregiver assistance agreements and give written notice about this financial help at the time the placement agreement is signed or when the child arrives. This assistance is intended to support eligible caregivers during the placement period, subject to available funding. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 212 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to hold public meetings or hearings about environmental permits in person at locations within one mile of the facility (or up to five miles if needed). The bill mandates that permit applicants, not the TCEQ, pay for these meetings. This applies only to new permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, affecting TCEQ operations, applicants seeking permits, and communities near proposed facilities. It changes how public input is conducted for environmental permits but does not alter environmental standards.

Maddy summarySB 597 updates Texas school funding by increasing the base per-student allotment under the Foundation School Program from $6,160 to $7,564. It revises the formula used to calculate each district's guaranteed state funding level, now basing it on the new $7,564 figure multiplied by specific tax rate factors. This change directly affects all Texas public school districts that receive state funding through the Foundation School Program, altering how their basic allotment and guaranteed yield are determined. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 230 prohibits consumer reporting agencies in Texas from including eviction records in consumer reports if the final court decision in the eviction case occurred more than seven years before the report is issued. This directly affects consumers with past evictions, as it prevents landlords or employers from accessing old eviction history beyond the seven-year limit. The key provision sets a clear seven-year cutoff for eviction data (under Texas Property Code Chapter 24) that can appear in background checks or credit reports. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, applying only to reports furnished on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 587 establishes staggered three-year terms for members of the University Interscholastic League's (UIL) state executive committee, with approximately one-third of members' terms ending each June 30. It also limits individual service to a maximum of two terms on the committee. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and requires the commissioner of education to adopt implementing rules. This bill directly affects UIL committee members and their appointment structure.

Maddy summarySB 580 exempts certain scholarly research and creative works at Texas public universities from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements. Specifically, it removes applicability of Section 51.3525(b)(1) to academic research (including federally funded work), creative projects by students or faculty, and student organization activities. The bill does not affect DEI initiatives in academic instruction, admissions, or recruitment, but explicitly excludes research and creative works from compliance with DEI mandates. This directly impacts university researchers, faculty, and students engaged in scholarly or creative projects at public institutions. The exemption applies to research dissemination and does not alter broader DEI policies for other university activities.

Maddy summarySB 594 prohibits individuals or entities from charging veterans or their families fees for preparing, presenting, or advising on veterans benefits claims (like disability payments or healthcare access), except as allowed under federal law. It bans guaranteeing specific benefit amounts and restricts excessive fees, requiring all fee agreements to be in writing and comply with federal regulations. The law directly affects veterans, their dependents, and anyone assisting with VA claims - such as service officers or attorneys - by preventing deceptive practices. Violations are treated as deceptive trade practices under Texas business law, enforceable by the state. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas peace officers to complete opioid overdose training as part of their initial certification and ongoing education. It mandates that the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement establish training covering how to recognize opioid overdose symptoms and administer opioid antagonists (like naloxin). The training becomes mandatory for officers beginning their requirements on or after January 1, 2026, and for continuing education units starting after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025. The law directly affects all Texas peace officers, including police and deputies, by adding specific, practical skills to their required training.

Maddy summarySB 593 prohibits insurers from raising personal auto or home insurance premiums solely because a claim involves damage or injury caused by a government entity (like a city, state agency, or official) that has legal immunity from being sued. This directly affects policyholders who file claims against such government entities, preventing insurers from using those claims as a basis for rate increases. The law applies to all insurers writing these policies in Texas and takes effect September 1, 2025, with the new rule applying to policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. It does not change how claims are processed but blocks a specific practice insurers used to increase rates for certain cases.

Maddy summarySB 655 prohibits specific name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements between third parties and student athletes (including high school and college athletes). It bans contracts where a person pays an athlete as consideration, secures exclusive rights to negotiate their NIL, and receives a percentage of future earnings until a predetermined amount is paid or the agreement ends. Such agreements are void and unenforceable, and violators face civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation, with the Attorney General empowered to seek enforcement. The law applies only to agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025.