Sen. Donna Campbell

Maddy summarySB 1802 requires Texas landlords to make a "diligent effort" to repair or fix conditions that materially affect a tenant's health or safety after receiving proper notice. It directly affects landlords and tenants in residential properties, specifically covering issues like failure to maintain hot water at 120°F or unsafe accessibility features (ramps, elevators, handrails). The bill mandates that tenants must notify landlords at the rent payment location, be current on rent, and give a follow-up written notice if repairs aren't made within a reasonable time. Landlords who fail to address these issues after proper notice become liable to tenants under the law.

Maddy summarySB 2371 creates new rules to combat skimmers - devices that illegally steal payment card data - on electronic terminals like point-of-sale machines and ATMs. It requires service technicians to report discovered skimmers to the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center and authorizes civil penalties for violations. The law directly affects service companies, technicians, merchants, and financial institutions that maintain or operate electronic terminals. Enforcement will be handled by the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center under Texas Business & Commerce Code Chapter 607A.

Maddy summaryHCR 40 is a Texas legislative resolution urging Congress to reimburse the state for border security costs incurred under Operation Lone Star. It states Texas has spent billions since 2021 on this initiative - including surveillance, law enforcement support, and managing migration - resulting in over 516,000 apprehensions and 45,300 arrests. The resolution formally requests Congress assume responsibility for border security costs, directing Texas officials to send copies to the U.S. President and congressional leaders. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create law but serves as a formal request to federal lawmakers.

Maddy summaryHB 146 requires the State Preservation Board to approve certain traffic changes near the Texas State Capitol. It directly affects municipalities (like Austin) managing traffic on Congress Avenue between the Congress Avenue Bridge and 11th Street (the "covered segment"). The bill prohibits permanent lane reductions or lane closures exceeding 14 consecutive days without approval from four State Preservation Board members, with exceptions for special events (50+ attendees), adjacent construction, or pedestrian safety plans. This amendment to the Government Code aims to preserve traffic flow and safety in the Capitol area.

Maddy summarySB 3073 requires magistrates in Texas to provide written findings within 24 hours when determining no probable cause exists for a criminal arrest. This affects individuals arrested for crimes and the magistrates reviewing their cases. The bill mandates that magistrates document their reasons for finding no probable cause in the official record. It applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior cases governed by existing law. The change aims to increase transparency in early criminal proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 1939 creates a 4% credit for Texas school districts that prepay attendance credit costs under the public school finance system. Specifically, districts that elect to pay for attendance credit using a specified payment method and pay the full amount by February 15 each school year receive this credit. The bill directly affects all Texas public school districts required to purchase attendance credit under Chapter 49 of the Education Code. The credit applies after other applicable reductions and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2920 amends Texas education law to clarify eligibility rules for student-athletes in University Interscholastic League (UIL) competitions. It removes ineligibility penalties for students using steroids prescribed by a medical professional for a valid medical purpose, such as treating a health condition. However, it explicitly states that using steroids for gender transition purposes does not qualify as a "valid medical purpose" and would still result in ineligibility. This bill directly affects high school athletes participating in UIL-sanctioned sports who use prescription steroids.

Maddy summarySB 1030 exempts certain aircraft components and property required for normal aircraft operations from Texas sales and use taxes. Specifically, it removes taxes on tangible personal property permanently attached to aircraft or necessary for their operation (such as fuel or maintenance parts). This applies to aircraft owners or operators covered under existing tax code provisions. The exemption takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not apply to taxes accrued before that date.

Maddy summarySB 2215 allows property owners to challenge municipal zoning violations through specific court actions only, such as mandamus or injunctions, rather than other legal claims. It waives municipalities' immunity from lawsuits in these cases and permits courts to award attorney fees and costs to the winning party. The bill directly affects property owners facing disputed zoning rules and municipalities enforcing those rules. It becomes effective September 1, 2025, streamlining enforcement of zoning compliance under Texas law.

Maddy summarySB 2695, the Texas Cure Act, creates the Rural Admission Medical Program (RAMP) to address healthcare shortages in rural Texas. It provides scholarships and summer stipends to undergraduate students from counties with populations under 25,000, guaranteeing them admission to participating medical schools. The bill also aims to expand physician delegation of certain medical tasks to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in rural areas. These provisions directly affect rural students pursuing medical careers and healthcare providers in underserved counties. The program is administered by a council of medical schools and focuses on increasing rural physician recruitment and retention.