Sen. Charles Perry

Maddy summarySB 2064 exempts the motor vehicle transfer tax when a vehicle is passed from a decedent's estate to family members (such as spouses, parents, or children) or to a person inheriting property from the estate. The bill amends Texas Tax Code to explicitly include transfers from a decedent's estate as an exempt scenario, aligning it with existing exemptions for family gifts. It also requires exemption statements to be filed in person with the tax assessor-collector, using specific identification like a driver's license or passport.

Maddy summaryHB 1871 increases penalties for attempting to kill a peace officer by reclassifying the offense as a first-degree felony, punishable by 25 years to life in prison. It directly affects individuals convicted of attempting capital murder of a police officer, making them ineligible for parole under Section 508.145(a)(1) of the Government Code. The bill also prohibits such offenders from being released on mandatory supervision under Section 508.149(a). These changes took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 2407 updates governance rules for the Lower Neches Valley Authority (LNVA), a local water management district in Texas. It specifies grounds for removing a board member, including failing to meet qualifications, violating ethics laws, being unable to perform duties due to illness, or missing over half of scheduled meetings without board approval. The bill also requires new board members to complete mandatory training before voting or attending meetings. These changes apply directly to LNVA board members and ensure clearer separation of policy and management roles. The bill, effective September 1, 2025, follows Sunset Commission recommendations to strengthen oversight of the authority.

Maddy summaryHB 4099 changes Texas law to allow physical therapists to treat patients without a referral for up to 10 consecutive business days, reducing the previous 30-day limit. After this initial period, therapists must obtain a referral from a licensed practitioner to continue treatment. The bill directly affects physical therapists and their patients by modifying practice requirements. It repeals an existing subsection and requires the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners to adopt implementing rules by December 1, 2025, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 740 allows Texas water and sewer utilities to use new rate structures called "system improvement charges" to recover infrastructure investment costs more efficiently. It requires the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to approve these charges and sets rules for applications, including documentation like receipts and invoices to verify costs. Utilities must file periodic updates with the PUC to adjust base rates based on these charges. The bill directly affects water and sewer utilities in Texas by changing how they can recover infrastructure costs through PUC-approved rate mechanisms, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4163 limits cities' authority to impose regulations on agricultural operations in Texas. It prohibits cities from banning common farming methods (like those listed in a state agricultural manual), restricting the growth of animal feed or forage, preventing necessary pest control, requiring specific land designations (e.g., "agricultural use" under the Texas Constitution), or mandating maintenance of road rights-of-way adjacent to farms. The law applies to all city rules adopted before, on, or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, directly affecting farmers and ranchers operating within city limits. This bill clarifies that cities cannot override standard agricultural practices or impose additional land-use requirements on farms.

Maddy summarySB 31, titled the "Life of the Mother Act," amends Texas Health and Safety Code to create a specific exception allowing abortions when a physician determines in "reasonable medical judgment" that a pregnancy poses a life-threatening risk of death or serious risk of substantial impairment to a major bodily function. It directly affects pregnant individuals with pregnancy-related conditions that threaten life or major bodily function, removing prior requirements that risks be imminent or that physical damage already occur. The law permits physicians to act proactively to address such risks before symptoms manifest, without needing to wait for documented harm. Signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, it became effective immediately.

Maddy summarySB 863 restricts the transportation of water withdrawn from the Edwards Aquifer outside the designated aquifer authority boundaries via pipeline or other methods. It requires such water to be used either within the aquifer authority's boundaries or within the certified service area of a retail public utility (as defined by its certificate of convenience and necessity existing on September 1, 2025). The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting water users and utilities operating within or drawing from the Edwards Aquifer region. This policy change modifies existing water usage rules to limit out-of-area transfers.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 75 (SB 75) is a finding bill that establishes legislative justification for improving electric grid resilience, directly affecting vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure. The bill cites the 2021 and 2011 statewide power outages as evidence of grid vulnerabilities, highlighting disproportionate risks to elderly, underprivileged populations, and communities near industrial facilities like refineries. It emphasizes Texas' unique position as a net energy exporter with a self-contained grid and identifies weatherization of generation infrastructure as a key focus area to prevent future failures. The bill passed unanimously in committee and became law on June 20, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 1522 amends Texas Health and Safety Code sections 246.002 and 246.0025 to clarify definitions related to continuing care facilities. It defines key terms like "entrance fee" (excluding deposits), "living unit," and "continuing care" to specify that it includes guaranteed access to progressive health services through third parties or at separate facilities. The bill directly affects residents and providers under continuing care contracts, standardizing how these agreements are legally described. It does not create new requirements but establishes clearer terminology for regulatory consistency. The bill was signed into law and takes effect January 1, 2026.