Sen. Charles Perry

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (SR 629), not a policy bill. It honors Joshua Daniel King, a Weatherford resident who died on April 5, 2025, at age 37. The Texas Senate formally pays tribute to his life, career in business (including roles at Steergate Payment Solutions and Select Mat), family, faith, and community impact, extending condolences to his wife, daughter, parents, sisters, and other relatives. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on June 2, 2025, as a ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 718) suspends a Senate rule to allow a conference committee to add a specific provision to House Bill 46, which relates to Texas's low-THC cannabis program. It directly affects physicians and patients using the Compassionate-Use Program by permitting doctors to prescribe more than one package of low-THC cannabis per 90-day period. The key mechanism is adding a new subsection (169.003(c) to the Occupations Code) to clarify this prescribing practice. The change resolves ambiguity about existing program rules, not creating new restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 222) honors Joe J. Bernal, a former Texas state senator and representative from San Antonio who served from 1964-1973. It recognizes his legislative work championing bilingual education (including Texas' first bilingual education act in 1969), civil rights advocacy, and roles in establishing UT San Antonio and the UT Health Science Center. The resolution was adopted by the Texas Senate on June 1, 2025, as a commemorative tribute to his legacy. It does not create any new laws or affect policy, as it is a purely ceremonial resolution.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 686) honoring Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw and her staff for their service to the Texas Senate. It recognizes their dedication, professionalism, and contributions to legislative operations, including Spaw's record of perfect attendance and leadership roles. The resolution specifically names over 20 staff members across Senate departments who support daily chamber functions. As a non-binding tribute, it has no policy impact and serves solely to express appreciation for their public service.

Maddy summarySR 628 is a Senate resolution honoring former Texas State Representative James R. Pitts, who served from 1992 to 2010 and passed away on July 20, 2024. The resolution commemorates his 11-term legislative career, his service on the Appropriations Committee, and his work on infrastructure projects like highway improvements and courthouse renovations. Adopted by the Senate on May 31, 2025, this procedural resolution has no policy impact and solely serves as a tribute to his public service.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate resolution (SR 627), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It honors Dr. Joe Layton Wall, a Christian leader and educator who served as pastor, dean, and university president, by recognizing his life and legacy. The resolution was adopted by the Texas Senate on May 31, 2025, to pay tribute to him and extend condolences to his family. It has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or groups beyond this formal acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires water and sewer utilities in Texas to submit their drought contingency plans as part of their tariff filings with the Public Utility Commission (PUC). It clarifies that these drought plans do not count as "rates" under state law, preventing them from triggering separate rate review processes. The legislation affects all water and sewer utilities operating under the PUC's jurisdiction, ensuring drought planning is integrated into existing regulatory filings. It updates Water Code sections to streamline how utilities report drought preparedness without altering how utility rates are approved.

Maddy summarySB 2145 allows advisory bodies of public improvement districts and reinvestment zone boards to hold meetings using telecommunication devices like phone or video calls. Members attending remotely are counted as present for quorum, voting, and participation, as long as at least one member is physically present. The bill requires two-way audio communication, mandates public accessibility at the physical meeting location, and requires stopping meetings if audio connections fail. It amends Texas Local Government Code Section 372.0081 and Tax Code Section 311.0093 to implement these changes, effective September 1, 2025. This directly affects local government bodies managing public improvement districts and reinvestment zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill consolidates Texas nonresident hunting license categories by removing outdated terms like "nonresident special" and standardizing them as "nonresident hunting license" throughout the Parks and Wildlife Code. It sets a $100.75 fee for the general nonresident license (or higher if set by the commission) and clarifies that a nonresident five-day hunting license fee cannot exceed 50% of the general license fee. The bill repeals redundant sections (42.014, 42.0142, 42.0144) and prohibits nonresidents from holding multiple general licenses or combining general and spring turkey licenses in a single year. It directly affects nonresident hunters seeking to hunt in Texas, simplifying license requirements and fees effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1248 restricts the disclosure of specific location data from wildlife harvest reports submitted to Texas Parks and Wildlife. It prohibits sharing details like exact harvest locations or personal identifiers (e.g., the hunter's name) with the public, exempting this information from standard public records laws. The bill allows disclosure only to law enforcement with a subpoena, for anonymized statistical reports, or to contracted researchers under strict confidentiality agreements. This directly affects hunters and anglers who submit harvest reports by protecting their location data from public access. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.