Sen. Adam Hinojosa

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 715) modifies reliability requirements for electric power plants in Texas' ERCOT grid that have operated for at least one year and aren't self-generators. It creates specific exemptions from financial penalties for these plants during planned maintenance, transmission outages, or when they already meet other performance rules. The bill also requires Texas' Public Utility Commission to consider using collected penalty funds to rebate money directly to consumers or fund reliability improvements, prioritizing maximum consumer benefit while maintaining grid reliability. These changes apply to facilities meeting the bill's criteria starting September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3045 exempts qualifying corporations from Texas' franchise tax if they operate a spaceport meeting two specific conditions: it must be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the spaceport must be critical to a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense for spaceflight or launch services. This tax exemption directly affects corporations operating spaceports that support national defense contracts, reducing their state business tax burden. The bill creates a new tax exemption provision under the Texas Tax Code, effective September 1, 2025, for reports due after that date. It does not create new requirements for spaceports but modifies tax treatment for existing qualifying operations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 43) designates Port Aransas as Texas' "Official Fishing Capital" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change existing policies - it is a ceremonial recognition of Port Aransas' established reputation for fishing tourism, tournaments, and marine resources. The resolution cites the city's diverse fishing opportunities, local industry (charters, marinas), and conservation efforts as justification. The designation expires automatically on the 10th anniversary of the legislature's final passage, as permitted under Texas Government Code § 391.003(e). This is a symbolic honor with no direct regulatory or financial impact.

Maddy summarySB 1884 allows the chair of Texas' State Board of Education to directly hire staff to assist the board in carrying out its duties. The bill specifies that these employees would be considered Texas Education Agency (TEA) employees for benefits like health insurance and retirement, receive expense reimbursements, and report directly to the board chair. The Texas Education Agency must provide administrative support (including HR and payroll) for these positions. This bill affects the State Board of Education's internal staffing structure but does not change educational policies or impact students or schools.

Maddy summarySB 2422 prohibits the Texas Medical Board from investigating or disciplining healthcare professionals for prescribing or advocating ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, or budesonide for COVID-19 treatment, making statements about mask effectiveness, or failing to require masks (except in areas where mask-wearing was customary before the pandemic). It requires the Medical Board to expunge all records created since January 1, 2020, containing those drug names or the word "mask" in disciplinary contexts, and to vacate any penalties based on such records. The bill would take effect immediately if passed by a two-thirds vote, or on September 1, 2025, if not.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Texas Attorney General to prosecute certain election-related crimes if local prosecutors do not act within six months. Specifically, it mandates that law enforcement agencies must send reports of suspected election law violations to both local prosecutors and the Attorney General. If a local prosecutor fails to file charges within six months, the Attorney General gains automatic authority to handle the case. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and affects how election crime cases are processed across Texas.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 504 formally congratulates Diego Flores of Corpus Christi's Ego eSports Club for his performance at the LVL UP EXPO 2025 esports tournament. The resolution highlights his 25th-place finish (7 wins, 2 losses) in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament, including an upset victory over Japan's top-ranked player "acola." Adopted by the Texas Senate on May 7, 2025, it serves as a symbolic recognition of Flores' achievement with no policy or legal impact. The resolution includes a formal copy to be presented to Flores as an expression of the Senate's admiration.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Texas public universities to disregard undergraduate applicants' academic records older than 10 years when evaluating admission, but requires them to retain the most recent 5 years of grades and credits. Colleges must publicly post their specific policies on this practice and cannot selectively ignore only parts of the 10-year window - they must disregard all records from that period if they choose to apply the policy. The law applies to admissions for the 2025 fall semester and affects how institutions count credits toward degree requirements for students using this "academic fresh start" option. It also ties state funding for relevant credits to this policy starting in 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1224 requires public school district leaders (superintendents, directors) and private school chief administrators to notify local police or county sheriffs within 48 hours if they have reasonable cause to believe an educator committed specific misconduct, such as sexual abuse or violence. This applies to all public school entities (including charter schools) and private schools in Texas. Failure to report can result in fines up to $10,000 for educators or a state jail felony for school leaders who intentionally conceal misconduct. The bill amends Texas Education Code sections 21.006 and 21.0062 to establish these reporting requirements and penalties.

Maddy summarySB 28 prohibits purchasing or facilitating the purchase of state lottery tickets via telephone, internet, or mobile applications. It specifically bans individuals from buying tickets online or through apps (a Class C misdemeanor) and bans selling or arranging such purchases for compensation (a Class A misdemeanor). The bill directly affects residents attempting to access lottery games digitally and businesses or individuals offering such services. It creates new criminal penalties under Section 466.318 of the Government Code, effective September 1, 2025. The law aims to enforce existing age and location restrictions for lottery play by closing digital loopholes.