Sen. Donna Campbell

Maddy summarySB 1410 is a procedural bill that would require Texas state agencies to update their rules, policies, and materials to refer to the "Gulf of Mexico" as the "Gulf of America." It directly affects all state agencies (including departments, courts, and higher education institutions) by mandating consistent terminology in official communications. The bill includes a public comment period (30 days) for input on implementation, with a report due by January 1, 2026, and expires January 1, 2027. This is a purely terminological change with no substantive policy impact on Gulf-related regulations or federal funding.

Maddy summarySB 2626 requires physicians and nurses in Texas who treat pregnant women to complete annual continuing education on specific pregnancy-related conditions. The law mandates at least one hour of approved training every eight years covering ectopic pregnancies (defined as implantation outside the uterus or in nonviable locations), pregnancy-related medical emergencies, and cases involving a dead unborn child from spontaneous abortion. The training must include standards of care, emergency response protocols, definitions of "abortion" and "medical emergency" per existing law, and communication strategies for patient discussions. This applies to licensed physicians renewing registration permits and nurses under board-approved competency programs, directly affecting healthcare providers treating pregnant patients in Texas.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 464) formally recognizes Laura Koerner for her service as mayor pro tem of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas. It honors her 2017-2025 tenure on the city council, her role as mayor pro tem since 2021, and her additional contributions as president of the city's Municipal Development District board. The resolution also acknowledges her background as a U.S. Navy veteran (nuclear engineer, destroyer/aircraft carrier officer), her work with Texas Veterans Commission, and her community leadership roles. The Texas Senate passed the resolution to commend her service and provide her with an official copy as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summarySB 1460 would create a public registry of individuals and businesses with ethics violations in Texas, maintained by the Texas Ethics Commission. It requires state licensing agencies (such as the Medical Board, Real Estate Commission, and Department of Insurance) to check this registry before issuing or renewing licenses. If an applicant appears on the registry, agencies must notify them, delay the license, and may deny it until the violation is resolved. The registry would list violation details and allow removal after fines are paid or corrective actions are completed.

Maddy summarySB 14, titled the Regulatory Reform and Efficiency Act, creates the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office within the governor's office to streamline how state agencies develop and review regulations. The office will help agencies identify unnecessary rules, reduce costs for businesses and individuals, and establish a public online portal for searching regulatory information. This bill directly affects state agencies that create regulations and the public who interact with those regulations. The new office will operate until 2037 unless extended under the Sunset Act, with its work focused on improving regulatory efficiency and transparency.

Maddy summarySB 1067 prohibits Texas public universities and their employees from soliciting or accepting gifts, grants, donations, or investments from certain foreign entities. It specifically bans these actions with governments, political parties, or companies headquartered in countries identified by U.S. intelligence as posing national security risks. The bill requires institutions or employees to return any money or valuables received in violation to the foreign source. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all public higher education institutions and their employees in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 32 would create a $25,000 property tax exemption for businesses owning or leasing tangible personal property (like equipment or tools) used to generate income. This exemption applies to each business location within a taxing unit, with property at the same location being combined to determine eligibility. Businesses leasing equipment would receive the same exemption as if they owned it. The bill affects Texas businesses that use physical assets to produce income, reducing their local property tax burden on those assets.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 819 establishes a new permit requirement for renewable energy facilities (wind or solar) with a capacity of 10 megawatts or more that connect to the power grid. It directly affects developers and operators of large-scale wind and solar projects, requiring them to apply for a commission permit before construction or significant expansion. Key provisions include submitting facility details, conducting environmental reviews with the Parks and Wildlife Department, holding public meetings within 25 miles of the site, and publishing meeting notices online. The bill does not apply to solar facilities within home-rule municipalities, and permits must be obtained before September 1, 2025, for existing facilities that expand or relocate significantly.

Maddy summarySB 1741 requires all Texas public universities to report foreign funding received from entities outside the U.S. annually, beginning September 2024. It prohibits institutions from accepting gifts, grants, or donations from the Chinese government or entities controlled by it. The bill also mandates that all university researchers complete annual training on identifying espionage risks, protecting intellectual property, and reporting suspicious activity. Universities must establish internal systems for staff and students to report potential espionage or theft. These requirements apply directly to every public institution of higher education in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 762 would prohibit Texas public schools from displaying most flags on school property, allowing only specific exceptions like the U.S. flag, Texas state flag, historical flags (per Texas Historical Commission), military flags, tribal flags, and school-authorized flags. Schools violating this rule must remedy the issue within 10 business days of a parent's written notice, or face a $500 daily civil penalty. The bill directly affects public elementary and secondary schools, requiring them to comply with these display restrictions. It creates a process where parents can report violations and schools must address them within a strict timeframe to avoid fines.