Sen. Donna Campbell

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 332 designates March 26, 2025, as "VIVA San Antonio Day" to honor the city's historical significance, cultural contributions, military heritage, and economic development. The resolution highlights San Antonio's founding history, role as "Military City USA," healthcare institutions, and status as a cybersecurity hub through a series of symbolic "WHEREAS" statements. It serves as a formal recognition by the Texas Senate for an event at the State Capitol, with no legal effect or policy changes. This procedural resolution does not impose obligations or alter rights for any group, as it is purely commemorative.

Maddy summarySB 2369 amends Texas state laws to strengthen diversity requirements in public employment and education. It requires state commissions (like those for alcohol regulation) to develop recruitment programs targeting underrepresented ethnic, racial, and gender groups for job positions. The bill also mandates that school charter commissions reflect district diversity, with specific representation goals for parents, teachers, and geographic areas. Additionally, it directs education agencies to prioritize recruiting underrepresented groups for teaching roles and requires colleges to publish annual student demographic reports including race, ethnicity, and economic status. These changes apply directly to state agencies, school boards, and higher education institutions.

Maddy summarySB 19 would restrict political subdivisions (such as cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofits that primarily represent political subdivisions and employ registered lobbyists. The bill permits exceptions for activities like providing legislative information, testifying, or conducting bill analysis without requiring lobbyist registration. Taxpayers could also seek court orders to halt prohibited spending and recover related costs. This legislation aims to limit public funding for lobbying efforts while preserving direct communication with lawmakers.

Maddy summarySB 2328 requires Texas to create a database tracking businesses and government entities that issue identification documents (like driver's licenses) to people unlawfully present in the U.S. It makes it a misdemeanor for businesses or government offices to accept such documents for verifying age, identity, or residency, and prohibits using public or private funds to help obtain these documents. The bill declares these documents invalid for identification purposes in Texas, though federal IDs remain unaffected. This directly impacts entities issuing or accepting such documents, with criminal penalties taking effect in March 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds game animals (as defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife Code) and exotic animals (as defined by Texas Water Code) to the list of items exempt from Texas sales and use taxes. It directly affects businesses that sell these animals, such as wildlife breeders, pet stores, and facilities handling exotic species. The key provision is that the animals themselves - rather than related products like feed or equipment - become tax-exempt under the amended tax code. This creates a specific tax relief for the sale of these animals, consistent with existing exemptions for other agricultural products.

Maddy summarySB 1428 requires Texas public schools, charter entities, and regional education centers to conduct mandatory criminal history background checks before hiring, prohibiting any waiver of this requirement. It establishes a registry of individuals ineligible for school employment, including those convicted of felonies, certain misdemeanors involving moral turpitude, drug offenses, or misconduct that led to revoked educator certification. School districts must refuse employment to anyone listed on this registry, which covers people disqualified under existing education code provisions (e.g., Section 22.0833 criminal history reviews or Section 22.094 misconduct findings). The bill directly affects all public school employers in Texas by mandating background checks and enforcing employment restrictions based on specific criminal or certification-related disqualifications.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 299) is a ceremonial Senate expression of congratulations. It formally recognizes Mackie Bounds, Kevin Camarata, Dennis Knautz, and Mel Oller for their induction into the Texas Masonry Hall of Fame on March 20, 2025. The resolution extends the Texas Senate's best wishes to these four individuals for their decades of contributions to the Texas masonry industry. It does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summarySB 1743 creates an independent Office of Inspector General within the Texas Education Agency to investigate misconduct by employees at public schools and certain educational entities. It requires schools to report misconduct to this office and establishes a new criminal offense for failing to report such incidents. The bill also increases administrative penalties for violations and sets strict qualifications for the inspector general, including certification from the Association of Inspectors General and expertise in areas like fraud investigation or law. This directly affects Texas public school staff, administrators, and the Texas Education Agency.

Maddy summarySB 2102 establishes new energy efficiency standards for residential attic and rafter assemblies in Texas. It requires that unvented attic or rafter assemblies meet specific insulation levels (R-value 20 for climate zones 2-3, R-value 26 for zone 4) and pass a blower door test (under 3.0 ACH50), while also mandating mechanical ventilation systems that don't rely solely on negative pressure. Builders must also cover exposed rafters with additional insulation (R-value 3) unless covered by drywall or continuous insulation above the roof deck. The bill applies to all residential construction in Texas and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2128 requires anesthesiologist assistants in Texas to obtain a state occupational license to practice. It establishes the Texas Anesthesiologist Assistant Board (composed of two anesthesiologist assistants, two anesthesiologists, and one public member) to oversee licensing and regulation. The bill authorizes administrative penalties for license violations and sets fees to fund the licensing program. It exempts technicians and other licensed health care workers who do not use the title "anesthesiologist assistant" or the initials "A.A." from the licensing requirement.