Sen. Adam Hinojosa

Maddy summarySB 2138 prohibits Texas public universities and related funds (including the permanent university fund and Texas University Fund) from investing money with financial companies that boycott specific energy companies. The bill applies existing state investment rules (Chapter 809 of the Government Code) to these university funds, requiring them to avoid financial institutions engaging in such boycotts. It directly affects Texas public higher education institutions and their investment decisions. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, with no specified energy companies named in the bill text.

Maddy summarySB 2519 restricts how property tax revenue (ad valorem taxes) can fund public bonds or securities. It defines "materially deviate" as significant changes to approved tax purposes, such as cost increases over 33%, scope reductions, or altered financing structures. Property owners can seek an injunction to stop tax collection if a taxing unit (like a city or county) deviates from the original purpose, with refunds and legal fees if they win. The law applies to tax elections adopted after its effective date, preventing revenue from property tax votes from being redirected to pay bond debts.

Maddy summarySB 2199 increases penalties for commercial vehicles carrying hazardous materials (like fuel) that exceed weight limits. It specifically makes it a felony for three-axle vehicles transporting such materials to be overweight, raising penalties from misdemeanors to second-degree felonies. Fines for overweight vehicles are also structured by how much they exceed limits, ranging from $100 to $10,000 based on weight overage (e.g., $7,000-$10,000 for over 40,000 pounds). This bill directly affects trucking companies and drivers transporting hazardous materials in three-axle vehicles.

Maddy summarySB 1999 prohibits school districts, charter schools, colleges, and government employers from disciplining, retaliating against, or discriminating against employees or students who use terms consistent with a person's biological sex when addressing them. It applies to K-12 staff and students (Section 22.905), higher education staff and students (Section 51.9316), and public employees addressing colleagues or the public (Section 3001.001). The law specifically protects using terms matching a person’s sex assigned at birth, without requiring anyone to use such terms. The bill takes effect immediately if passed by two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summarySB 2233 prohibits students and employees with foreign student or work visas at Texas public colleges from publicly supporting terrorist activity related to ongoing conflicts or persuading others to support such activity. If violations occur, institutions must investigate and impose penalties: a one-year suspension for a first violation or expulsion/termination for a second violation. Institutions must report these actions to U.S. Homeland Security via the SEVIS system, and cannot admit or hire individuals who have been suspended, expelled, or terminated under this policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow certain Texas municipalities meeting specific population and location criteria to collect hotel tax revenue and pledge it for financing convention center projects. Qualifying cities include those with populations over 95,000 in designated counties (e.g., bordering Lake Lewisville), containing landmarks like the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, or located in multi-county areas with defined population thresholds. It amends Texas Tax Code Section 351.152 to expand eligibility for these tax revenue mechanisms, applying only to cities meeting the 16 detailed criteria listed in the bill. The policy change would enable these specific municipalities to use hotel tax funds for convention center obligations without altering existing tax rates.

Maddy summarySB 1524 prohibits child-placing agencies and state departments from requiring foster homes to disclose specific types of firearms present in their homes or to report changes in firearm types. It also restricts agencies from using any existing firearm information for purposes beyond verifying weapon presence, and mandates that such information remains confidential under Texas law. Violations by agencies could result in a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per incident, enforceable by the attorney general. The bill directly affects foster care agencies, state departments, and foster parents by limiting how firearm information is handled and shared. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Texas school district property tax exemptions for elderly or disabled homeowners. Currently, the exemption for these residents is $10,000; this bill would raise it to $60,000 of a home's market value. The amendment would allow the legislature to adjust this exemption amount, with provisions ensuring eligible individuals (65+ or disabled) cannot receive both the basic exemption and this enhanced benefit. It directly affects Texas homeowners aged 65 or older or with disabilities who own their primary residence. The bill requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 2529 requires local taxing units (like cities, school districts, or water districts) to obtain a supermajority vote from their governing body before adopting tax rates exceeding voter-approved limits or issuing certain bonds. Specifically, it mandates at least 60% approval for general obligation bonds and 75% approval for tax rates that exceed previously rejected voter-approved rates. The bill applies when a taxing unit seeks to raise taxes above the rate voters previously rejected in an election. This policy change directly affects local government decision-making on tax increases and bond issuances.

Maddy summarySB 383 prohibits Texas' Public Utility Commission from approving interconnection of offshore wind power facilities to the ERCOT grid under specific conditions. The bill requires the Commission to deny approvals if a facility might negatively impact shipping routes, tourism, fishing, wildlife, migratory patterns, or public safety in disaster-prone areas, or if existing services are sufficient. It directly affects offshore wind developers and the Commission's approval process for grid connections. The law takes effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, otherwise.