Sen. José Menéndez

Maddy summarySB 7 requires the Texas Water Development Board to coordinate planning for water infrastructure projects to maximize use of existing utility corridors and minimize land acquisition through eminent domain. It mandates the Board to develop standardized specifications for water infrastructure, ensure different water systems can connect and operate together, and recommend building extra capacity during construction to accommodate future projects. The bill directly affects water project developers, utilities, and local governments working with the Board on infrastructure planning and financing. Key provisions include creating interconnectivity standards and facilitating collaboration between project sponsors and transportation/utility entities.

Maddy summarySB 1923 modifies Texas child support orders to direct payments to the parent with physical custody under specific circumstances. It allows courts to redirect payments when the non-custodial parent voluntarily relinquishes primary care for six months, is incarcerated for 90+ days, or enters certain agreements (like parental safety placement agreements under Section 264.902). The bill requires courts to hold hearings within 30 days for safety placement agreement cases and mandates that unpaid support accrue from the date of the qualifying event. This directly affects parents with physical custody, child support obligors, and family courts handling custody disputes. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 621 prevents property owners' associations from banning residents from inviting governmental officials or political candidates to meetings in common areas. Associations may still enforce standard meeting rules like fees, occupancy limits, or reservation requirements for these gatherings. The law does not apply to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) associations. This bill, effective September 1, 2025, directly affects homeowners' associations and residents in Texas communities.

Maddy summarySB 835, known as Trey's Law, invalidates any nondisclosure or confidentiality agreement that prevents someone from disclosing an act of sexual abuse. The law directly affects survivors of sexual abuse who may have signed such agreements, making those specific clauses unenforceable. Key provisions state that agreements cannot prohibit disclosure of sexual abuse details (defined using existing Texas Penal Code and Family Code offenses), though other settlement terms like payment amounts remain valid. This change applies to all agreements entered into before, on, or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1894 designates November as "Veterans Month" in Texas to celebrate and honor military veterans' achievements and sacrifices. The bill amends the Government Code to establish November as an official month for recognizing veterans, encouraging state agencies and communities to hold appropriate programs and activities. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects all Texans by creating a formal observance period for veterans' contributions, without changing existing benefits or creating new obligations.

Maddy summarySB 2137 prohibits Texas housing authorities from requiring or considering public school quality ratings (like test scores or ratings) when allocating low-income housing tax credits. This directly affects developers applying for these credits, as it stops them from being penalized or favored based on the quality of nearby public schools. The law requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to study the policy's impact and report findings by November 1, 2027, and expires September 1, 2027. It applies only to applications submitted under the 2026 or 2027 allocation cycles and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 157 is a ceremonial resolution designating Rockport as the official "Redfish Capital of Texas" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or impact regulations - only formally recognizes Rockport's reputation for redfish (red drum) fishing and coastal tourism. The resolution cites the city's natural beauty, thriving redfish population, and community efforts in conservation as the basis for the designation. This symbolic title expires automatically on the 10th anniversary of the resolution's passage.

Maddy summaryHB 5323 creates the Texas Energy Waste Advisory Committee to coordinate state efforts in reducing energy waste and improving efficiency across key agencies. The committee, composed of seven ex officio members from agencies like the Public Utility Commission, ERCOT's independent operator, comptroller, and environmental quality commission, will meet quarterly to review programs and make recommendations. It specifically targets reducing electricity demand during high-risk hours in the ERCOT power region to enhance grid reliability. The committee will provide input to state agencies including the State Energy Conservation Office and Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 243 increases civil penalties for violations of migrant labor housing regulations by reducing the minimum fine from $200 to $50 per person per day. It directly affects housing facility operators who fail to meet safety standards and qualifying migrant agricultural workers who live in those facilities. The bill adds a new provision allowing workers to sue for fines if they submit a complaint, live in the facility, and are not on an H-2A visa. It also specifies that enforcement actions cannot proceed while other legal processes (like inspections or relocation) are pending for the same facility. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 791 creates specialty license plates for Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, featuring the school's logo on the left and "With Loyal Hearts" on the bottom. Texas drivers who purchase these plates will pay a fee, with administrative costs deducted before the remainder being deposited into the state's general revenue fund. The bill requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to design the plates in consultation with the school and takes effect September 1, 2025. This is a commemorative license plate bill with no direct impact on education funding beyond the revenue generated.