Sen. Adam Hinojosa

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 265) symbolically recognizes March 21, 2025, as World Down Syndrome Day in Texas. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or groups, as it is a ceremonial gesture acknowledging the United Nations-designated day. The resolution encourages Texans to support inclusion for people with Down syndrome, referencing medical advances and societal progress. It formally declares the Senate’s recognition of this day at the State Capitol, aligning Texas with global observances.

Maddy summarySB 1926 prohibits commercial signs adjacent to and visible from specific segments of U.S. Highway 77 between State Highway 186 and State Highway 285. The bill directly affects businesses operating along this highway corridor by restricting new sign installations and potentially requiring removal of existing signs in that zone. It amends Texas Transportation Code Section 391.252(a) to add this highway segment to a list of locations where commercial signs are banned. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to the specified U.S. Highway 77 section, not the entire highway.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes early voting hours in Texas counties based on population size. Counties with fewer than 70,000 residents must offer at least five hours of in-person early voting daily (6 a.m.-10 p.m.), while larger counties must provide at least nine hours daily. It also requires larger counties to offer 12 hours on the last Saturday (6 a.m.-10 p.m.) and six hours on the last Sunday (9 a.m.-10 p.m.) of early voting. The policy directly affects voters in Texas counties by standardizing minimum early voting access at main polling locations.

Maddy summarySB 1928 prohibits courts, attorneys, and court staff from disclosing specific personal information collected during jury selection. It makes confidential details like home addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and juror questionnaire responses. Disclosure would only be permitted if a court grants approval for "good cause," such as for parties involved in a case or news media members. The law applies to jury duty starting September 1, 2025, and does not affect information collected before that date.

Maddy summarySB 2003 requires Texas public school boards and administrators to complete training on teaching methods, budgeting, school operations, and financial transparency. It also creates a new public online database showing all school spending details - including amounts, dates, payees, and expense categories like textbooks or staff salaries. The database must be searchable and organized to help the public track how school funds are used. This applies to all Texas public school districts and charter schools.

Maddy summarySB 1731 exempts qualifying corporations from Texas franchise tax if they operate an FAA-licensed spaceport critical to U.S. Department of Defense contracts for spaceflight or launch services. The exemption requires both: (1) the spaceport must be federally licensed, and (2) the corporation must provide services under a DoD contract. This tax relief applies only to franchise tax reports due on or after September 1, 2025, the bill's effective date. The law directly affects corporations operating spaceports supporting national defense launch operations.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 1715 creates a franchise tax exemption for certain space industry businesses operating in Texas. It defines "qualified space companies" as entities primarily engaged in researching, developing, manufacturing, testing, or launching satellites, spacecraft, or space vehicles within the state. The exemption applies only to franchise tax reports due on or after January 1, 2026, and does not affect existing tax obligations. This policy change directly benefits Texas-based space technology firms by reducing their state business tax burden for qualifying activities.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 258 is a commemorative measure honoring the late U.S. Congressman Sylvester Turner of Houston, who died on March 5, 2025. The resolution recognizes his career as a Texas state legislator, mayor of Houston, and U.S. Congressman, highlighting his dedication to public service in Houston's Acres Homes neighborhood and his work on health care, education, and community resilience. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups, as it is a symbolic tribute to his legacy.

Maddy summarySB 1707 requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to study whether establishing 10 standardized building designs for new public school campuses would be feasible and cost-effective for school districts. The study must determine if districts would need to choose from these 10 designs when building new schools and evaluate potential savings. The TEA must submit a report on its findings to state leaders by September 1, 2026, but the bill does not mandate any changes to school construction practices. This is a procedural bill focused solely on conducting the study, not implementing standardized designs.

Maddy summarySB 1702 requires Texas public schools to notify parents each time their child checks out a library book, digital resource, or other material from a school library. This law amends the Education Code to establish a mandatory notification requirement for all school library materials. It directly affects parents of students in Texas public schools and school library staff who must implement the notice system. The bill creates a straightforward process where schools send a notice to parents for every library checkout, without specifying content restrictions.