Sen. Charles Perry

Maddy summarySB 1035 allows agricultural operations (like farms and ranches) to sue local governments if those governments enforce rules that violate Texas agriculture laws. It creates a new legal right for affected businesses to seek court orders blocking enforcement of such rules and to recover legal fees if they win their case. The bill applies only to disputes arising after its effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote). This changes the process for resolving conflicts between local regulations and state agricultural law, giving farmers a direct legal remedy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 536) honors Mark Garcia for his 25 years of service as Texas Senate auditor. It formally recognizes his professional contributions, dedication, and personal involvement with Senate colleagues and community activities like the Senate Christmas band and the Texas MS 150 fundraiser. The resolution directs the Senate to present Garcia with an official copy as a gesture of appreciation for his service. No new laws or policy changes are created by this resolution.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 542) is a ceremonial Senate expression of appreciation for Tim Pierce upon his retirement as executive director of the South Plains Association of Governments (SPAG) after 20 years of service. It recognizes his leadership in establishing SPAG programs like the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund, 2-1-1 Texas South Plains, and rural 9-1-1 expansion, as well as his community involvement. The Texas Senate formally congratulates him and provides a copy of the resolution as a token of respect. This is a non-binding, symbolic gesture with no policy changes or financial impact.

Maddy summarySB 522 amends Texas law to establish new pathways for out-of-state certified public accountants (CPAs) to obtain certification in Texas. It allows qualifying out-of-state CPAs to bypass certain Texas-specific requirements if they meet one of three criteria: holding a license from a state with comparable standards (verified by NASBA), meeting Texas' historical licensing rules, or having four years of relevant post-exam experience. The bill also requires these professionals to fulfill Texas' continuing education requirements for the three years preceding their application. This law, effective September 1, 2025, directly affects out-of-state CPAs seeking to practice in Texas without re-taking the full state licensing process.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 13) urges the U.S. Department of State and the International Boundary and Water Commission to ensure Mexico complies with the 1944 Treaty on shared water resources. It specifically addresses Mexico's failure to deliver the required 350,000 acre-feet of water annually (averaged over five years), with a current deficit of 984,814 acre-feet. The resolution highlights how this shortfall harms Texas water users, including municipal, agricultural, and industrial sectors in the Rio Grande Valley, impacting reservoir levels and causing economic losses like the closure of Texas' only sugar mill. As a non-binding resolution, it formally requests U.S. federal agencies to take action but does not change legal obligations.

Maddy summarySB 304 allows Texas municipalities to expand municipal court authority to enforce existing health, safety, and nuisance abatement ordinances. It grants courts civil jurisdiction within city limits and on city-owned property in surrounding areas, plus power to issue search warrants for investigations and seizure warrants to secure or remove hazardous property. This directly affects cities and their municipal courts by altering enforcement mechanisms under current laws. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1066 requires contractors working on public work contracts exceeding $150,000 with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to provide both a performance bond (to ensure project completion) and a payment bond (to guarantee payment to subcontractors and suppliers). This applies only to new contracts advertised or solicited on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting contractors bidding on large-scale department projects. Existing contracts solicited before this date remain governed by prior law. The bill amends Parks and Wildlife Code Section 11.0171 to implement these bond requirements for qualifying public work contracts.

Maddy summarySB 2660 authorizes the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District to charge a fee for groundwater use, primarily affecting non-agricultural users within the district. The fee is capped at 38 cents per 1,000 gallons withdrawn or the cost of surface water from other suppliers, whichever is higher, and cannot be imposed on agricultural wells or exempt wells under district rules. The bill repeals previous restrictions prohibiting such fees and allows district revenues to fund any lawful purpose. This policy change directly impacts groundwater users not covered by agricultural exemptions, aiming to provide a funding mechanism for the district.

Maddy summaryHJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing state taxes on property transferred after someone's death, including estate, inheritance, or gift taxes. It specifically prevents new taxes on these transfers or increases to existing taxes that were in place before January 1, 2025. Exceptions include taxes on motor vehicle gifts, certain property taxes (ad valorem), and taxes already authorized under existing law. This amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election and would affect anyone transferring property through wills, inheritances, or gifts after the amendment takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 519) honoring Captain Chris Kemp's retirement after 25+ years of service with Lubbock Fire Rescue. It recognizes his career progression from firefighter to captain, leadership as president of the Lubbock Professional Firefighters Association, and his work with the COATS4KIDS initiative. The resolution formally congratulates him and extends best wishes for his retirement, with no new laws, funding, or policy changes enacted. It is a symbolic gesture of appreciation with no direct impact on citizens or legislation.