Sen. José Menéndez

Maddy summarySB 2856 modifies Texas property tax penalties for delinquent homestead taxes. It sets a flat 7% total penalty/interest for qualifying homestead taxes unpaid before July 1 of the delinquency year (Section 1(g)), and a flat 12% total for taxes delinquent on July 1 regardless of how long overdue (Section 1(h)). These changes apply only to taxes becoming delinquent on or after September 1, 2025, leaving prior delinquencies governed by older law. The bill directly affects homeowners with primary residences qualifying for the Section 11.13 homestead exemption who miss tax payments.

Maddy summarySB 2996 amends Texas Government Code Section 76.004 to clarify the appointment and duties of directors for community supervision and corrections departments. The bill requires judges to appoint a director meeting specific officer eligibility standards and mandates six key responsibilities: overseeing daily operations, preparing budgets, negotiating contracts, establishing department policies, developing personnel procedures (including discipline), and handling employment grievances. It also requires all procedures to prohibit retaliation and prevent conflicts of interest. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 2961) prevents wrongful death lawsuits claiming the death of an unborn child resulting from a legal abortion. It amends Texas law to exclude such claims from being filed against the child's mother, physicians performing lawful medical procedures (including abortions), or others dispensing drugs under legal circumstances. The law specifically states these claims cannot be brought if the death results from an abortion as defined by Texas Health and Safety Code § 245.002. This change applies only to cases arising after the bill's effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed by two-thirds vote for immediate effect).

Maddy summarySB 3000 creates new consumer protections for "earned wage access" products in Texas, which allow workers to receive early access to earned but unpaid wages. It directly affects Texas workers who use these services and the providers (like payroll apps) offering them. Key provisions require providers to assess a consumer’s repayment ability before issuing an advance, cap fees at 10% of the advance amount or $10 per 30 days, ban multiple advances on the same day, and reimburse overdraft fees if providers collect payments before paychecks clear. These rules aim to prevent predatory fees and financial harm from early wage access services.

Maddy summarySB 3019 requires the Texas Finance Commission to establish standardized rules for tax lien transfers. It mandates that transferees (like new lien holders) provide property owners with clear disclosure statements before transferring a lien, including details on potential fees and costs. The bill also sets a 7-business-day deadline for lenders to provide payoff statements upon request and defines reasonable fees for lien transfers. This directly affects property owners, lenders with existing liens, and entities handling lien transfers by increasing transparency in the process.

Maddy summarySB 2939 requires court-appointed guardians ad litem (who represent incapacitated adults in guardianship cases) to complete 4.75 hours of mandatory training within a reasonable timeframe after appointment. This training must cover guardianship law basics, ethical duties, communication techniques, relevant medical conditions, and court procedures, and must be low-cost and accessible statewide, including online. Guardians must renew this training every two years, with exemptions possible if a court determines they have equivalent experience. The bill applies directly to individuals serving as guardians ad litem in Texas guardianship proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 2940 requires criminal history background checks for all adult household members (18+ years old) who live with or regularly interact with someone seeking guardianship in Texas. It directly affects individuals applying for guardianship and any adult living in their household who would provide care or supervision to the person needing guardianship. The bill mandates the Texas Supreme Court to establish rules for these checks and requires the commission to provide completed check results to probate courts at least 10 days before guardianship hearings. This policy change aims to enhance safety checks for vulnerable individuals under guardianship by expanding background review beyond just the applicant.

Maddy summarySB 3023 requires every public school district and open-enrollment charter school in Texas to ensure a librarian is present for at least half of each school day at every campus. This applies directly to all public schools and their administrators, mandating consistent librarian staffing. The commissioner of education must create implementing rules to enforce this requirement. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies starting the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summarySB 2999 amends Texas law to define the "practice of psychology" to include prescribing medications for certain conditions, enabling qualified psychologists to obtain prescriptive authority. The bill directly affects licensed psychologists who complete additional certification and their patients seeking medication-assisted mental health treatment. Key provisions include updating the definition of psychological practice to explicitly cover prescribing, and authorizing a fee for the certification process required to gain this authority. The bill does not change existing prescribing rules for physicians but creates a new pathway for psychologists meeting specific training standards.

Maddy summarySB 3024 requires Texas public school students to recite or silently observe the Pledge of Allegiance to both the U.S. and Texas flags once daily in classrooms. It mandates that schools prominently display both flags in assigned classrooms (without requiring public funds for purchase, though donations may be accepted). Parents may excuse students via written request, requiring them to wait outside during the pledge. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.