Sen. Adam Hinojosa

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 134) is a ceremonial recognition, not a policy bill. It formally designates February 26, 2025, as "Weslaco Day" at the Texas State Capitol to honor the city's history and community. The resolution highlights Weslaco's founding, agricultural significance (including the Texas onion festival), and local institutions like the Texas A&M research centers. It has no legal effect or policy impact - it simply extends a symbolic welcome to Weslaco residents gathering at the Capitol on that date.

Maddy summarySB 1114 modifies Texas' Lone Star Workforce of the Future Fund grant program to expand eligibility to smaller institutions. It defines a "qualifying general academic teaching institution" as one with under 10,000 students, located in a county with under 35,000 residents, and designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) by the U.S. Department of Education. To qualify for grants, institutions must offer workforce training in high-demand fields developed with employer input, leading to full-time jobs paying self-sufficient wages. This bill directly affects small colleges in rural areas that meet the new MSI and population criteria, aiming to support local workforce development.

Maddy summarySB 1115 amends Texas law to allow juvenile correctional officers and caseworkers employed by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) to count their service toward retirement benefits under the Employees Retirement System of Texas. The bill specifically adds these roles to the definition of "custodial officer" and requires that service must be performed in these exact positions to qualify for retirement credit. This change ensures TJJD employees in these jobs will now have their service time counted for retirement purposes, aligning them with other custodial officers like parole officers. The bill does not alter retirement benefit amounts but expands eligibility for service credit.

Maddy summarySB 1116 amends Texas Transportation Code to specify exact routes for permits allowing oversize and overweight vehicles to move through border counties near the Mexico border. It directly affects trucking companies transporting cargo and port authorities in Hidalgo County (including Brownsville and Harlingen ports), requiring designated routes like U.S. Highway 281, Farm-to-Market Road 509, and State Highway 4. The bill establishes specific paths connecting international bridges (e.g., Gateway International Bridge) to port entrances, while allowing regional mobility authorities to issue permits on defined roads like U.S. Highway 281 and Farm-to-Market Road 1016. This creates clear, standardized routing for commercial vehicles without altering permit fees or weight limits.

Maddy summarySB 498 creates a new "Licensed Professional Counselors Compact" in Texas law to allow counselors licensed in Texas to practice across state lines without needing separate licenses in each state. It directly affects licensed professional counselors seeking to serve clients in multiple states, as well as clients who access counseling services across state borders. The key mechanism is mutual recognition of licenses among participating states, which eliminates the need for counselors to obtain duplicate licenses in each state they serve. This aims to improve public access to counseling services, support military spouses relocating with active-duty personnel, and facilitate telehealth practice while maintaining state regulatory authority over counselor conduct.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 110), not a law. It formally recognizes February 19, 2025, as "Rio Grande Valley Day" at the Texas State Capitol. The resolution commemorates the region's history, economic significance (including its role in cross-border trade), and population growth. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply honors the Rio Grande Valley region for a Capitol event.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) designating February 19, 2025, as "Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It honors the university's history, growth since joining the Texas A&M System in 1989, and its current role serving over 11,400 students across various academic programs. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply recognizes the institution's contributions to education and community development through a formal Senate acknowledgment. It was adopted by the Senate on February 19, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a Senate resolution (SR 100) honoring Lucy J. Cortez of Brownsville, who passed away on February 6, 2025. The resolution commemorates her life, noting her career at the Texas Department of State Health Services, her family, and personal interests. It extends the Texas Senate's condolences to her husband, children, grandchildren, and other relatives. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any laws or regulations.

Maddy summarySR 98 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing Senator Judith Zaffirini on her birthday. It honors her service as Dean of the Texas Senate - the longest-serving and highest-ranking member - and acknowledges her historic role as the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas Senate. The resolution celebrates her 38 years of legislative service, including over 72,000 consecutive votes since 1987, and her work on health care, education, and family support. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is purely a tribute with no legislative action required.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 42 designates February 12, 2025, as "Coastal Bend Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It recognizes the Coastal Bend region (centered on Corpus Christi) for its economic impact - supporting over $1 billion annually in tourism and thousands of jobs - and highlights its historical significance as a WWII naval training site. The resolution also acknowledges local attractions, educational institutions, and community efforts. This is a symbolic gesture with no binding legal effect or policy changes; it solely honors the region through formal recognition.