Maddy summarySB 2642 expands the types of investment managers local Texas government entities (like cities, counties, and school districts) can hire to manage public funds. It defines "qualified manager" to include federally registered investment firms, state-registered securities firms, banks, and bank holding companies. The bill limits contracts with these managers to two years and requires renewal via separate approval. Additionally, it mandates detailed disclosure requirements for investment pools (funds pooling multiple entities' money), including investment types, maturity details, performance history, and transparency about no sponsorship fees. These changes aim to clarify and standardize investment options while increasing oversight for public fund management.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 2509 requires health organizations (like hospitals or clinics) certified under Texas law to adopt policies ensuring employed physicians exercise independent medical judgment when treating patients. If these organizations comply with the policy requirements and do not interfere with physicians' clinical decisions, they will not face vicarious liability for the physicians' care. The bill directly affects health organizations by limiting their legal liability for physician actions under specific conditions, shifting responsibility to the physician's independent judgment. This changes existing liability rules for medical care provided by employed physicians within certified health organizations.
Maddy summarySB 2507 requires Texas public school districts to spend at least 60% of their operating funds on direct instructional activities, such as teacher salaries, classroom materials, and instruction-related expenses. Districts must annually report two key metrics: the percentage of total expenditures for direct instruction (minimum 60%) and the percentage of staff time dedicated to classroom teaching. The state's public school financial accountability system will include an indicator measuring compliance with this spending requirement, which could affect a district's rating. The bill applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
Maddy summarySB 2508 exempts certain residential property owners from Texas mortgage licensing requirements. Specifically, it allows owners who make no more than three residential mortgage loans annually to operate without registering as mortgage loan originators under Texas law. The bill amends Finance Code sections to add this exemption category, directly affecting small-scale property owners or landlords who occasionally finance home purchases for buyers. This change removes registration fees, business plan submissions, and supervision requirements that would otherwise apply to such owners.
Maddy summarySB 2775 adjusts how Texas school districts and special taxing units calculate property tax rates when state funding changes. It requires school districts to automatically lower their tax rates if state/local funding per student increases from the previous year, ensuring the district doesn’t collect more revenue than the prior year’s "guaranteed level." The bill also restricts districts from raising maintenance and operations tax rates above a specific cap when they must reduce rates due to higher state funding. These changes amend Texas Education Code and Tax Code sections to clarify tax rate calculations and voter-approval rules for property taxes.
Maddy summarySB 2505 establishes enforceable liability waivers for commercial space flight participants in Texas. It requires waivers to be in writing, printed in 10-point bold type, signed by the participant (and their heirs/representatives), and separate from other agreements. The bill recognizes federal waivers under FAA regulations (14 C.F.R. § 440.17) as valid in Texas, protecting commercial space companies from lawsuits by participants. It applies only to incidents occurring on or after September 1, 2025, and affects both space flight participants and commercial space operators.
Maddy summarySB 2506 creates a grant program administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to help cover costs for plugging abandoned or deteriorating water wells. The program provides reimbursement for up to 50% of plugging costs to eligible water districts or landowners who plug wells outside district boundaries. Applicants must submit documentation proving the well was properly plugged according to state rules, and the Texas Water Development Board verifies compliance. The grants are funded through money appropriated by the legislature in the general revenue fund. This bill directly affects landowners and water districts managing well sites, with the program set to take effect in September 2025.
Maddy summarySB 2504 allows junior college district boards to require candidates for trustee positions to win a plurality of votes (more votes than any other candidate) instead of a majority (over 50%) in elections. Boards may adopt this rule via resolution 180 days before an election, and the rule remains in effect until rescinded by a new resolution adopted before the next election. This bill directly affects how local junior college districts conduct trustee elections, changing the voting threshold from majority to plurality. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 2577 creates new subdivision plat requirements for specific counties bordering both the U.S.-Mexico border and the Gulf of Mexico (like Nueces County). It applies only to land subdivided into two or more lots where at least one lot is smaller than five acres. The bill establishes definitions for terms like "common promotional plan" and "floodplain," and requires compliance with minimum state standards for water, sewer, and solid waste services. This directly affects land developers and county officials in those border counties when preparing subdivision maps for smaller-lot developments.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 358) recognizing The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) for its 10th anniversary in August 2025. It formally honors UTRGV's achievements, including awarding over 56,000 degrees since 2015, expanding academic programs, opening medical schools, and ranking as Texas' top public university for value and social mobility. The resolution expresses the Texas Senate's recognition of UTRGV as a model institution for higher education and community engagement, with no new policy or funding changes. It directly affects UTRGV by providing formal acknowledgment from the state legislature.