Sen. José Menéndez

Maddy summarySB 2789 amends Texas law to require sex offender registration for individuals convicted of "invasive visual recording" (non-consensual recording in private areas like bathrooms or changing rooms). It specifically adds Section 21.15 of the Penal Code to the list of offenses triggering registration requirements. The bill also increases criminal penalties for this offense, though exact penalty amounts are not specified in the provided text. This directly affects people convicted of secretly recording others in private spaces, making them subject to sex offender registration and enhanced criminal sanctions.

Maddy summarySB 2787 requires Texas public school districts to incorporate digital citizenship and media literacy instruction for students in grades 6 through 12. The bill mandates curriculum covering social media impacts (including mental health effects and misinformation), online security, identifying credible sources, and respectful online discourse, with districts required to post materials online and notify parents. It also requires school districts to adopt Internet safety policies protecting students on school networks. This law directly affects all Texas public school students in middle and high school and their school districts. The policy changes focus on equipping students with practical skills for responsible online behavior through standardized curriculum requirements.

Maddy summarySJR 74 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Texas lawmakers to create a property tax credit for owners of grocery stores or "healthy corner stores" located in designated food deserts. This would directly affect property owners in underserved communities where access to affordable healthy food is limited. The amendment would authorize the legislature to define key terms like "food desert," set eligibility rules, and establish how the tax credit amount is calculated. If approved by voters in 2025, it would enable future legislation to implement this tax credit.

Maddy summarySB 2718 requires all vehicle registrations in Texas - including those for overdue or delinquent registrations - to be issued for a fixed 12-month period. It changes existing rules to mandate that registrations begin on the first day of a calendar month and end on the last day of the 12th month, eliminating shorter registration terms. For delinquent registrations, the bill specifies that applicants must pay an additional fee equal to 1/12 of the annual fee multiplied by the number of overdue months, unless they provide "good reason" for the delay, in which case no extra fee applies. This policy directly affects vehicle owners renewing registrations, particularly those with overdue licenses, by standardizing registration periods and clarifying fee calculations.

Maddy summarySB 2726 requires the Texas education agency to notify all public school districts at least 60 days before Holocaust Remembrance Week begins, providing information about instructional resources from the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission. This bill directly affects Texas public school districts by mandating they receive these resources ahead of the designated week. The key provision is the agency’s obligation to share available teaching materials, not requiring specific curriculum changes. The law applies starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It is a procedural measure focused on resource provision, not curriculum mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (SR 352) recognizing April 2, 2025, as Texas Food Bank Day at the Texas State Capitol. It honors the Feeding Texas network, which operates 20 food banks serving all 254 Texas counties through partnerships with agencies like the Texas Department of Agriculture. The resolution specifically acknowledges their work distributing over 500 million pounds of surplus produce and providing nutrition assistance to low-income families. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally commends Feeding Texas for its hunger-relief efforts.

Maddy summarySB 1562 requires Texas employers with 50 or more employees to display a mandatory veterans benefits and services poster in a visible location at their workplace. The poster, created by the Texas Workforce Commission in consultation with the Texas Veterans Commission, must include practical information on applying for unemployment benefits, contacting the Texas Veterans Commission (including the VA crisis hotline), accessing tax benefits, and obtaining driver's licenses. It also lists state services like education programs, legal assistance, and mental health treatment for veterans. Employers must display this poster starting September 1, 2025, after the commission distributes it by December 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 685 amends Texas law to change how public junior colleges receive state funding based on student outcomes. It directs the state education agency to measure performance using three key metrics: (1) the number of valuable credentials awarded (with extra weight for high-demand jobs), (2) student transfers to four-year colleges, and (3) completion of dual-enrollment courses that count toward college credit. These metrics will determine funding tiers for junior college districts starting September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects Texas public junior colleges by tying their state funding to these specific student achievement benchmarks.

Maddy summarySB 1675 requires pharmacists in Texas hospitals with more than 100 beds to create accurate medication profiles for "high-risk patients" as defined by hospital policy. The bill allows pharmacist-interns or pharmacy technicians to complete these profiles if they meet training standards set by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. Hospital pharmacists-in-charge must develop policies for timely profile completion, while the Board will establish rules for profile content and required training. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting hospital pharmacies in larger facilities.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill), passed by the Texas Senate on March 27, 2025, to recognize March 27, 2025, as "CASA Day" at the State Capitol. It honors the Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) network, which relies on volunteer advocates to support children in foster care by making court recommendations and addressing their needs. The resolution commends CASA for its work serving nearly 18,000 youth annually across 74 programs in Texas. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or alter policies - it simply expresses the Senate’s appreciation for CASA’s advocacy efforts.