Sen. Adam Hinojosa

Maddy summarySB 1592 requires online booking platforms and similar services (called "accommodations intermediaries") to collect and remit Texas hotel occupancy taxes for bookings made through them, starting June 1, 2026. These intermediaries - like Airbnb or Expedia - must collect the tax from guests at booking time, report it to the state comptroller, and pay it directly, replacing the current system where hotels handled this. Hotels will no longer be responsible for collecting or remitting taxes on bookings facilitated by these intermediaries. The bill also mandates the comptroller to create simplified reporting forms and provide mapping data to help implement the new tax collection process.

Maddy summarySB 1511 requires freestanding emergency medical facilities to clearly post information about their emergency care fees, insurance network status, and billing practices. The bill mandates facilities to disclose that they may charge rates comparable to hospital ERs, that physicians might bill separately, and whether they are in-network or out-of-network for specific insurance plans. It also prohibits these facilities from charging facility fees for non-emergency services provided at the location. This bill aims to increase transparency for patients seeking emergency care at standalone facilities.

Maddy summarySB 1635 creates a credit for certain Texas school districts against required payments under the public school finance system. It applies only to districts in first or second tier coastal counties (as defined in Texas Insurance Code) that paid for windstorm and hail insurance in the previous school year. The bill reduces the district's required payment amount by the exact cost of that insurance. This credit is applied after other existing reductions and takes effect September 1, 2025. The policy directly benefits coastal school districts facing significant storm insurance costs.

Maddy summarySB 2773 increases the Port of Corpus Christi Authority's port commission from seven to nine members. It specifies that Nueces County appoints three commissioners, Corpus Christi appoints three, San Patricio County appoints one, and Portland and Port Aransas each appoint one commissioner. The bill requires Portland and Port Aransas to make their appointments by January 1, 2026, to maintain staggered terms. This directly affects how the Port Authority is governed and staffed by changing its membership structure and appointment process.

Maddy summarySB 1052 proposes changes to how Texas property tax rates are calculated when a property owner notifies a taxing unit they plan to appeal an appraisal review board's decision on their property's value. It directly affects property owners in coastal counties (with under 500,000 population) who file appeals for high-value properties, particularly if their property was among the top 10 in value in the previous year. The bill requires electronic tax calculation forms that automatically match data from official appraisal rolls and ensure accurate tax rate calculations during these appeals. If passed, it would streamline the process for taxing units handling property tax disputes but is currently pending in committee.

Maddy summarySCR 39 is a Texas Senate Concurrent Resolution expressing the state's position on border security. It criticizes the federal government's border policies, noting Texas spent $11 billion on its own border security efforts (Operation Lone Star) due to perceived federal inaction. The resolution formally urges the federal government to take immediate action, including increased resources and reimbursement for Texas's costs, and requests that it be entered into the Congressional Record. This is a non-binding expression of state position, not a law creating new policy.

Maddy summarySB 2184 lowers the minimum age requirement for obtaining a license or permit to conduct public fireworks displays from 21 to 18 years old. It directly affects individuals aged 16-17 who previously could not legally operate such displays under Texas law. The bill amends two sections of the Occupations Code (2154.101 and 2154.201) to update the age restrictions for both pyrotechnic operator licenses and public fireworks display permits. The change would take effect on September 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 385) is a ceremonial recognition by the Texas Senate, not a policy bill. It formally designates April 10, 2025, as "Donna Day" at the Texas State Capitol. The resolution extends a welcome to Donna, Texas residents gathering in Austin to celebrate their city's heritage. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes; it is purely a symbolic gesture honoring Donna's history and community.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a binding law) expressing Texas's support for strengthening economic ties with Israel. It urges the creation of a Texas Trade and Investment Office in Jerusalem to foster business connections, particularly with countries in the Abraham Accords or peace agreements with Israel. The resolution reaffirms Texas's existing trade relationship with Israel - where Texas ranks among top U.S. states for exports - and directs officials to share the resolution with state, federal, and Israeli leaders. It does not create new programs or allocate funding, serving only as a formal statement of support.

Maddy summarySB 2976 amends Texas law to clarify the geographic boundaries where housing finance corporations (HFCs) can operate. It specifically limits HFCs to the jurisdictional boundaries of their sponsoring municipality (for city-sponsored HFCs), unincorporated county areas (for county-sponsored HFCs), or a combination of both for jointly sponsored HFCs. The bill does not change HFCs' core financial powers (like borrowing or issuing bonds) but ensures their activities stay within the sponsored local government's defined areas. This directly affects HFCs created under Texas Local Government Code Sections 394.011 and 394.012.