Sen. Donna Campbell

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 686) honoring Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw and her staff for their service to the Texas Senate. It recognizes their dedication, professionalism, and contributions to legislative operations, including Spaw's record of perfect attendance and leadership roles. The resolution specifically names over 20 staff members across Senate departments who support daily chamber functions. As a non-binding tribute, it has no policy impact and serves solely to express appreciation for their public service.

Maddy summaryThis is a Senate resolution (SR 630) honoring Brigadier General (Ret.) James Henry Doty Jr., a military veteran who died in 2023. The resolution commemorates his 33-year Army National Guard career, including leadership roles at the Pentagon during 9/11, his military honors (like the Distinguished Service Medal), and his post-retirement service with the Disabled American Veterans. It expresses the Texas Senate’s tribute to his legacy and extends sympathy to his family. As a commemorative resolution, it has no legislative effect or policy changes - it solely serves as a ceremonial tribute.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 19 authorizes the State Preservation Board to approve construction of a replica of the "National Life Monument" (a bronze sculpture depicting a mother with an unborn child in a world-shaped womb) at the Texas State Capitol Complex. The resolution specifies the monument must be placed outside historic Capitol grounds, require private funding, and comply with existing size, design, and procedural rules under Chapter 443 of the Government Code. It directly affects the State Preservation Board, which must follow statutory requirements when reviewing the project. This is a procedural resolution (not a law) that formally enables the monument's placement without creating new legal obligations.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 695 returns Senate Bill 293 to the House of Representatives for further consideration. The resolution specifies that the Senate concurs in all House amendments except Section 23 (which the Senate ruled non-germane), and instead proposes substituting Section 20 of the Senate version - which modifies how judicial retirement annuities are calculated for judges retiring before September 1, 2025. The resolution requests the House adopt this change to finalize the bill. This procedural step resolves a disagreement over one section of the bill before it advances to final passage.

Maddy summarySB 2027 establishes a new legal standard for when funeral service providers in Texas can be held liable for mental anguish damages. It applies only to individuals with a legal right to a decedent's body or disposition (such as close family members) who claim emotional distress due to mishandling of the body or remains. The bill limits liability to cases where the provider mishandled the body in a way a reasonably prudent provider would not have, and that mishandling caused severe emotional distress due to the claimant's close relationship with the decedent. This creates an exclusive remedy, meaning claimants cannot pursue mental anguish damages under other laws for these specific circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 5238 makes it a criminal offense to intentionally disrupt a lawful meeting, procession, or gathering (including virtual events) by physical action, verbal speech, or electronic means like hacking. The law specifically targets interference with virtual components of events, such as disrupting online meetings through digital attacks. It applies only to disruptions occurring on or after September 1, 2025, meaning past actions are governed by existing law. This bill directly affects individuals who obstruct or interfere with public gatherings, whether in person or online, by these specified methods.

Maddy summaryHB 1130 creates limited liability for commercial cavern tour operators (cavern entities) in Texas for injuries sustained by participants during recreational or educational cavern activities. It requires cavern entities to post a specific warning sign at all entrances stating Texas law limits their liability for such injuries, unless the injury resulted from the entity's negligence, known dangerous conditions, or intentional harm. The law applies to injuries occurring after its effective date (May 29, 2025) and exempts cases involving the cavern entity's failure to address safety hazards or properly train staff. This directly affects cavern tour businesses and their participants by shifting legal responsibility unless the required warning is displayed.

Maddy summaryHCR 59 is a ceremonial resolution designating April as "Promise Month" in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it is solely a symbolic recognition intended to honor religious and historical perspectives on promises. The resolution references biblical principles and the founding of the U.S. on "Biblical principles," but the designation itself has no legal or policy impact on residents or state operations. This is a procedural, commemorative resolution with no concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas to create a property tax exemption for surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected conditions. Specifically, it would authorize the legislature to exempt all or part of the market value of a surviving spouse's primary home (homestead) from ad valorem taxes, provided the veteran died from a condition presumed service-connected under federal law and the spouse has not remarried. If a spouse moves to a new homestead, they could retain the same tax exemption amount as their previous home. The amendment requires voter approval in November 2025 and would take effect January 1, 2026, if approved.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the composition of Comal County's Juvenile Board by specifying its six required members: the county judge, county court judges (from each county court at law), two judicial officers appointed by the district judge, the 22nd District Court judge, and the criminal district attorney. It directly affects how the board is structured in Comal County, changing its membership from prior arrangements to this defined list. The key mechanism establishes specific roles and appointment processes for board members under Texas law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, but was reported adversely by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on May 7, 2025.