Sen. Adam Hinojosa

Maddy summarySB 16 reorganizes judicial districts in Texas, renaming the 522nd Judicial District to include specific counties (Colorado, Gonzales, Guadalupe, and Lavaca) and adjusting jurisdiction for the 274th District Court (Comal, Guadalupe, and Hays counties). It directs the 173rd District Court (Henderson County) to prioritize civil and family law cases and the 392nd District Court to prioritize criminal cases. The bill clarifies that county clerks handle certain matters (like misdemeanors and juvenile cases) while district clerks manage others, and authorizes new fees while increasing penalties for specific crimes. These changes affect court operations, case handling, and administrative procedures across multiple Texas counties.

Maddy summarySB 6 establishes civil liability for the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs, with limited exemptions for medical emergencies (like treating ectopic pregnancies or spontaneous abortions). It directly affects drug manufacturers, distributors, healthcare providers, and internet service providers by removing protections under Texas' Citizens Participation Act and Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Key provisions include authorizing civil lawsuits and "qui tam" actions (whistleblower suits), changing fee-shifting rules in abortion litigation, and limiting state-court jurisdiction over such cases. The bill also grants the Texas Attorney General special legal standing to enforce abortion laws and shifts jurisdiction for certain cases to the Fifteenth Court of Appeals.

Maddy summaryTexas SB 7, the "Texas Women’s Privacy Act," requires public schools, government buildings, and other facilities operated by political subdivisions or state agencies to designate multiple-occupancy private spaces (like restrooms, locker rooms, and showers) for use solely by individuals based on biological sex. Biological sex is defined by physical characteristics at birth, including chromosomes, sex organs, and an unaltered birth certificate. The law allows limited exceptions for accommodations related to disabilities, children, or elderly individuals, but prohibits facilities from designating spaces for use by individuals of the opposite biological sex. Violations authorize civil penalties and a private right to sue. The bill directly affects public facilities and their access policies for all users.

Maddy summarySB 9 amends Texas Tax Code sections to update how local taxing units (like cities, counties, and school districts) calculate voter-approval tax rates when implementing or adjusting sales taxes. It introduces specific formulas that account for new sales tax revenue by adding a "sales tax gain rate" to the calculation, ensuring the voter-approval rate reflects the impact of the new revenue source. The bill differentiates rules based on the taxing unit type, applying multipliers of 1.08 for special districts, 1.035 for small municipalities/counties (<30,000 population), and 1.025 for others. These changes directly affect how local governments determine tax rates that require voter approval when they add or modify sales taxes.

Maddy summarySB 68 limits superintendent and chief executive officer salaries in Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools based on the district's annual performance rating. It sets a cap where salaries cannot exceed: 1x the top 10% teacher salary average for D/F-rated districts, 1.5x for C-rated, 2x for B-rated, or 3x for A-rated districts. Charter schools must also post these salaries on their websites. The law applies only to new employment contracts signed on or after September 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 69 would allow Texas pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without a prescription from a healthcare provider, under a statewide order issued by the commissioner of state health services. The order would require pharmacists to follow standardized procedures, provide patients with usage instructions, and submit annual reports on the number of doses dispensed. Pharmacists acting in good faith under this order would be shielded from criminal, civil, or professional liability. This bill specifically applies to ivermectin and does not change prescription requirements for other medications.

Maddy summarySB 5 regulates hemp-derived consumable products (like edibles, oils, and topicals containing cannabinoids such as CBD) sold in Texas. It requires businesses to obtain occupational licenses, imposes fees, and prohibits sales to anyone under 21. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations and administrative fines, while exempting certain products (like hemp seed oil in food), research activities, low-THC cannabis, and medical prescriptions. These changes directly affect hemp product manufacturers, retailers, and distributors operating in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 11 requires Texas law enforcement agencies to report election-related crimes to the attorney general and gives the attorney general exclusive authority to prosecute these offenses. Local prosecutors and law enforcement must share relevant information with the attorney general to assist in these cases, and the attorney general can direct local offices to handle or support prosecutions. The law applies only to election crimes committed after its effective date (91 days after the legislative session). This shifts prosecution responsibility for election law violations from local to state-level authorities.

Maddy summarySB 12 prohibits Texas cities, counties, and other local governments (political subdivisions) from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay organizations that primarily represent local governments and employ lobbyists. The bill specifically bans spending on activities like lobbying state legislators, but allows local government employees to provide information to lawmakers or testify without triggering the restriction. Exceptions include associations representing sheriffs or law enforcement officers, and direct advocacy by employees that doesn’t require lobbyist registration. Taxpayers can seek court orders to stop prohibited spending and recover related costs.

Maddy summarySB 55 prohibits courts from certifying class actions when patients sue healthcare providers for damages resulting from cyber attacks that exposed protected health information. The bill specifically applies to cases where a cyber attack causes the disclosure of patient health data, such as medical records or personal identifiers. Healthcare entities (like hospitals or clinics) targeted in such lawsuits would no longer face consolidated class action claims, requiring individual lawsuits instead. This change directly affects how patients can pursue legal action after healthcare data breaches caused by cyber attacks.