Sen. Royce West

Maddy summarySB 210 requires municipalities with over 100,000 residents to process building permits for affordable housing projects - defined as developments using low-income housing tax credits - within half the standard review time. This applies only to projects receiving tax credit allocations under Texas Government Code Chapter 2306. The bill mandates that permit decisions must be made in 50% of the usual timeframe, without changing existing approval standards. It directly affects large city governments and developers seeking tax-credit housing permits, aiming to accelerate housing development.

Maddy summarySB 218 requires every Texas public school district to create a nonvoting student trustee position on its board of trustees. High school students enrolled in the district and maintaining a 2.5 GPA are eligible, with appointments made through a process where principals solicit applications, select three candidates, and the board appoints one by June 1. The student trustee can attend and participate in board meetings but cannot vote or count toward quorum. Students must maintain enrollment and academic standing during their one-year term, and failure to do so results in the position being filled by the board.

Maddy summarySB 219 modifies Texas law to automatically keep criminal history confidential for certain misdemeanor defendants who received deferred adjudication community supervision. It applies to those convicted of specific misdemeanors (excluding offenses under Chapters 20, 21, 22, 25, 42, 43, 46, or 71 of the Penal Code), but not for violent or sexual offenses (except assault under Section 22.01). The state's criminal records department must identify eligible individuals monthly, notify the court, and the court must issue the confidentiality order without requiring a fee. Courts may deny the order only if the offense was violent or sexual in nature.

Maddy summarySB 579 exempts certain private scholarships from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements under Texas law. It specifically applies to scholarships funded by private money held in trust by public universities or their affiliated foundations, meaning these scholarships would not need to comply with DEI-related rules. The bill amends the Education Code to add this exemption as a specific exception (subsection 8) to existing DEI requirements. This change directly affects public higher education institutions offering such privately funded scholarships, without altering DEI requirements for other programs or state-funded initiatives.

Maddy summarySB 588 requires the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to discuss joint managing conservatorship with a child's parent or legal guardian before filing a lawsuit seeking sole custody for mental health services. Courts must appoint DFPS and the parent as joint conservators if the parent has exhausted all reasonable options to secure mental health services and agrees to participate in the child's service plan. The bill also prohibits using hotels or unlicensed facilities for temporary emergency care for children in this joint conservatorship arrangement. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to cases filed after that date.

Maddy summarySB 221 amends Texas law to explicitly allow the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to issue private reprimands as a disciplinary option for judges. It directly affects judges facing complaints and the Commission, which now has a formal process for private sanctions alongside public warnings or suspensions. Key provisions include adding "private sanction" to the Commission’s options in Section 33.0212(b), defining it in Section 33.001(a)(10), and requiring the Commission to inform complainants if a private sanction is issued (Section 33.033(b)). The bill makes private reprimands part of a judge’s official disciplinary record (Section 33.032(d)), but only takes effect if a 2025 constitutional amendment passes and the law is implemented on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 602 requires Texas foster care programs to provide mandatory financial literacy training and housing planning for youth aged 16 and older transitioning to independent living. The bill mandates instruction on credit scores, avoiding predatory loans, budgeting, banking basics, and housing cost analysis - including rent, utilities, and internet expenses - along with guidance on securing government assistance like SNAP benefits. It directly affects foster youth in Texas who are preparing to leave state care, requiring caseworkers to review rental applications, identify housing resources, and ensure youth understand housing documentation needs. The law aims to improve practical life skills for youth aging out of foster care by standardizing transition planning.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Texas judges can be disciplined. It would allow the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to issue public or private admonishments, warnings, reprimands, or require additional training for judges. The amendment also gives the Commission discretion to request a retired judge (as a "Master") to handle evidence and testimony in disciplinary cases, and to recommend removal or retirement to a review tribunal. The change would take effect January 1, 2026, if approved by voters in November 2025. The amendment directly affects judges holding positions listed in the constitution's judicial conduct section.

Maddy summarySB 589, effective September 1, 2025, prohibits Texas public employers (such as state agencies, local governments, and public schools) from asking about or checking an applicant's criminal history before making a preliminary job offer. Employers may instead inform applicants in advance if certain criminal convictions would disqualify them for the position or ask a limited question on the initial application about specific disqualifying offenses. After a preliminary job offer is made, employers may then check criminal history. The law excludes school districts and law enforcement positions requiring a license under Texas law.

Maddy summarySB 223 creates a program to help certain Texas prosecuting attorneys repay student loans. It provides 25% annual repayment assistance (up to 4 years total) for licensed attorneys who work for at least one consecutive year in the state's border prosecution unit. The assistance covers student loans from accredited institutions for undergraduate or higher education, excluding defaulted loans. Eligible attorneys must apply through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, with repayments made directly to lenders or split between lenders and attorneys. This targets attorneys already serving in border prosecution roles, not new hires.