Sen. José Menéndez

Maddy summarySB 258 allows Texas voters with an unexpired driver’s license or state ID card to register to vote online through the state’s official website starting September 1, 2025. It requires applicants to verify their information, consent to using their license signature, and match details against Department of Public Safety records. If the information matches, the application is sent to the applicant’s county registrar; if not, the system directs them to submit a paper form. The bill directly affects Texas voters who hold valid driver’s licenses or state IDs, making voter registration more accessible while requiring security checks against state records.

Maddy summarySB 153 establishes a social work internship stipend program administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It provides financial support to undergraduate and graduate social work students at Texas institutions with Council on Social Work Education accreditation, covering field hours required for their degrees. Under the program, bachelor's students receive up to $15 per hour (max $6,000 annually) and master's students receive up to $20 per hour (max $9,000 annually) for approved practicum placements. Priority for funding is given to students qualifying for need-based federal aid (via FAFSA) and those placed in mental health shortage areas designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The program aims to support recruitment and retention in social work education by reducing financial barriers to required field experience.

Maddy summarySB 170 would authorize Texas patients with certain medical conditions to legally possess, use, and cultivate medical cannabis under a regulated program. It establishes a licensing system for cannabis organizations and creates a Medical Cannabis Research Program with an advisory board composed of medical specialists. The bill includes provisions for research on safe cultivation and use, along with authorized fees for licensing and program administration. This legislation directly affects qualifying patients, healthcare providers, and licensed cannabis businesses in Texas.

Maddy summarySJR 14 proposes a constitutional amendment to give Texas citizens the direct power to propose new laws or constitutional changes through petitions, known as "initiative," and to vote on those proposals, known as "referendum." It requires petitioners to submit a $2,000 filing fee (refundable if the measure reaches the ballot), include two representative voter names, and ensure proposals cover only one subject. The Texas Legislative Council would review proposals for constitutionality and fiscal impact, requiring a fiscal note if state funds are involved, before forwarding them to the Secretary of State for public petitioning. This amendment, if approved, would directly affect Texas voters by expanding their direct role in lawmaking, while adding administrative steps for state officials handling petitions. The bill is currently in the State Affairs committee for review.

Maddy summarySJR 11 proposes a constitutional amendment to replace Texas' current legislative redistricting process with a 14-member Texas Redistricting Commission. The commission would be composed of five members from the majority party, five from the minority party, and four independent members, appointed by December 31 following each U.S. decennial census. To approve final district maps, the commission must secure votes from at least nine members, including a minimum of three from each party group and three independents. This change would directly affect Texas voters by altering how congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn every 10 years, shifting authority from the state legislature to the commission.

Maddy summarySB 185 requires Texas public high schools to include at least one course covering specific mental health topics in their curriculum, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The course must teach about depression, anxiety, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and other mental health disorders, while also providing information on coping skills and accessing mental health services. This applies to all public high school students in Texas and can be fulfilled through existing health, physical education, or career and technology courses. The bill mandates these requirements through new rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

Maddy summarySB 193 establishes a model suicide prevention policy for Texas state agencies, community coalitions, and facilities serving high-risk groups like veterans, people with disabilities, and rural populations. The bill requires agencies to incorporate suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies into their crisis and disaster plans by 2027, after a review of existing plans conducted by the commission. The policy must include clear guidance on recognizing suicide warning signs, accessible resources, and community coalition development, especially in rural areas. It also mandates that the Department of State Health Services maintain suicide death information in the Texas Violent Death Reporting System. The bill aims to standardize suicide prevention approaches across state operations without advocating for specific outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 180 establishes the Texas Redistricting Commission and outlines its selection process. It requires the state auditor to collect applications from registered voters, remove applicants with conflicts (like recent political officeholders or lobbyists), and create three subpools (majority, minority, and independent) based on political affiliation. The bill mandates that commission members be selected based on qualifications, impartiality, and understanding of Texas demographics, while prohibiting employer retaliation against employees attending commission meetings. This procedural bill focuses on how the commission is formed, not on redistricting outcomes or district boundaries.

Maddy summarySB 308 repeals Texas laws that prohibited abortion, specifically repealing Chapter 170A of the Health and Safety Code and Chapter 6-1/2 of the Revised Statutes (the current state abortion ban). The bill clarifies that these changes do not legalize prohibited abortion conduct, allow lawsuits against pregnant individuals seeking abortions, or limit remedies for violations of other abortion laws. It also ensures local governments can enforce stricter abortion regulations than the state. The bill takes effect immediately if passed by a two-thirds vote in both chambers, otherwise on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 197 requires public school board members to complete trauma-informed training upon election or reelection and superintendents to complete it every four years. The training covers recognizing trauma in students, understanding trauma's impact on learning, addressing implicit bias, and implementing school policies that support student and educator well-being. School districts must submit training courses for state approval, and the Texas Education Agency must approve at least one course by December 1, 2025. This bill directly affects school board members and superintendents across Texas public school districts.