Sen. Adam Hinojosa

Maddy summaryHB 2518 prohibits third-party premium financing arrangements for Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) policies, requiring policyholders to use installment payment plans directly through TWIA at no additional cost. It applies to all TWIA policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and became effective September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects Texas homeowners and property owners insured through TWIA who previously relied on third-party financing options. This change eliminates fees associated with external premium financing by mandating that TWIA provide its own no-cost installment plans.

Maddy summarySB 648 updates Texas Property Code requirements for recording real property transfers and heirship affidavits. It requires property transfer documents filed by individuals (not professionals like title companies) to be signed by the owner, acknowledged before two witnesses, and certified by an authorized officer. For heirship affidavits filed by individuals, the bill adds that all named heirs (not under legal disability) and witnesses must personally appear before an officer for certification. These changes apply to all property records filed after September 1, 2025, if not vetoed (though the bill was ultimately vetoed by the Governor). The law aims to reduce fraud by strengthening verification steps for property ownership documents.

Maddy summaryHB 3372 prohibits school district administrators (excluding classroom teachers) from receiving financial benefits for personal services provided to specific entities, including businesses that work with their school district, curriculum service providers, or other school districts. The law directly affects administrators with significant operational duties, such as those managing campuses or programs, by banning conflicts of interest tied to district business relationships. Violations carry a $10,000 civil penalty per incident, and the bill took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 22, 2025. This legislation aims to prevent administrators from profiting from their official positions within the education system.

Maddy summaryHB 1056 recognizes physical gold and silver coins meeting specific weight and purity standards as legal tender in Texas for debt payments, while prohibiting government markings except for identifying refiners. It authorizes the state comptroller to establish electronic payment systems backed by bullion held in depositories, allowing transactions using gold/silver-based currency. The bill explicitly states it does not replace U.S. dollars, restrict federal currency, or require businesses to accept gold/silver tender. It also permits the comptroller to set reasonable administrative fees for the system. This law applies to Texas residents and businesses using the state-administered electronic currency system, operating alongside existing federal currency.

Maddy summarySB 971 repeals the existing definition of "rural political subdivision" in the Texas Water Code that was established by a 2023 law. This change directly affects communities seeking eligibility for the Texas Water Assistance Program, which provides funding for water infrastructure projects. The bill removes the previous definition but does not specify a new one, leaving the program's eligibility criteria unchanged until a replacement definition is enacted. This procedural update was signed into law on June 20, 2025, and took effect immediately.

Maddy summarySB 2185 establishes a new $10 million annual funding allotment for school districts in Texas that offer approved dual language immersion programs (one-way or two-way). It provides 15% of the basic allotment per emergent bilingual student and 5% per other student in these programs, requiring districts to report additional data on program methods through the state's education data system. At least 55% of these funds must be used for bilingual/special language programs, covering instructional materials, staff development, and other quality instruction costs. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting school districts offering approved bilingual education models under Texas law.

Maddy summaryHCR 76 is a Texas concurrent resolution urging the federal government to address unfair foreign shrimp imports threatening the Gulf Coast shrimp industry. It directly affects Texas shrimpers, who support 14,000 jobs and generate $850 million in economic value, as imports surged to 800 million pounds in early 2023 - far exceeding domestic harvests. The resolution cites unfair pricing from subsidized foreign shrimp, health risks from inadequate FDA inspections (e.g., antibiotic residues found in imported shrimp), and economic strain on fishermen facing high fuel costs. It formally requests federal agencies (Commerce Department and NOAA Fisheries) to curb imports, though it has no legal force and serves only as a symbolic appeal to the national government.

Maddy summaryHCR 9 designates the first Saturday of every month as "Small Business Saturday" in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution, which does not create new laws or funding, aims to encourage Texans to support local small businesses. It directly affects all Texas small businesses (defined as those employing fewer than 500 people) by promoting community shopping. The designation expires 10 years after the resolution's final passage, per Section 391.004(d) of the Texas Government Code.

Maddy summaryHCR 111 designates the town of Combes, Texas, as the official "Bee Capital of Texas" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes Combes' historical and current role in beekeeping, including its agricultural roots, honey production, and community efforts to support pollinator conservation. The designation applies only to Combes and has no legal or financial obligations beyond the recognition specified in the resolution. It follows Texas Government Code Section 391.003(e), which allows such designations to remain effective for 10 years after legislative approval.

Maddy summarySB 2570 creates a legal justification for correctional facility guards and peace officers to use less-lethal force weapons (such as stun guns, impact devices, or chemical dispensers) when their use aligns with their training. The law specifies that officers are justified if their actions were in "substantial compliance" with required training, directly affecting only these specific law enforcement personnel. It applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date (June 20, 2025), with prior incidents governed by existing law. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature on June 20, 2025.