Sen. Charles Perry

Maddy summarySB 28 prohibits purchasing or facilitating the purchase of state lottery tickets via telephone, internet, or mobile applications. It specifically bans individuals from buying tickets online or through apps (a Class C misdemeanor) and bans selling or arranging such purchases for compensation (a Class A misdemeanor). The bill directly affects residents attempting to access lottery games digitally and businesses or individuals offering such services. It creates new criminal penalties under Section 466.318 of the Government Code, effective September 1, 2025. The law aims to enforce existing age and location restrictions for lottery play by closing digital loopholes.

Maddy summarySB 2846 creates new rules for controlling wildlife diseases in Texas, requiring people handling wildlife to follow state agency guidelines. It makes it a crime to knowingly fail to properly handle wildlife infected with or exposed to diseases listed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, or to refuse identification of such wildlife. Violations are punishable as minor criminal offenses (Class C misdemeanor for first offenses, escalating to Class B for repeat violations). The law clarifies that the wildlife agency must coordinate with livestock disease authorities like the Texas Animal Health Commission but retains primary responsibility for wildlife disease control.

Maddy summarySB 2677 proposes new rules for commercial sales-based financing transactions in Texas, requiring brokers to register with the state and mandating specific disclosures to businesses that use this financing. It directly affects commercial businesses seeking financing (recipients) and brokers who facilitate these deals (providers), defining key terms like "disbursement amount" and "finance charge." The bill establishes a registration fee for brokers, requires providers to disclose transaction terms before closing, and authorizes civil penalties for violations. These changes aim to increase transparency in financing arrangements where payments are tied to a business's sales or revenue, not personal use.

Maddy summarySB 503 requires Texas livestock owners (cattle, hogs, sheep, goats) to register their animal identification marks - such as brands, tattoos, or electronic tags - electronically with county clerks. County clerks must maintain these records electronically and send copies to the Texas Animal Health Commission within 30 days of receipt. The bill updates existing law to mandate electronic record-keeping instead of paper, specifying details like the date of registration and placement location on animals. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting all livestock owners who must comply with the new registration system.

Maddy summarySB 2844 regulates deer breeding facilities in Texas by setting enclosure size limits and creating criminal penalties for violations. It restricts new facilities to 20-acre enclosures, while existing facilities (with permits before September 1, 2025) may maintain up to 100 acres but cannot expand beyond 20 acres. The bill makes specific violations criminal offenses, including unauthorized hunting of captive deer, selling deer without permits, failing to report deer deaths or disease tests, and improper record-keeping. These provisions directly affect deer breeding facility operators and aim to standardize oversight under the Parks and Wildlife Code.

Maddy summarySB 2693 requires Texas juvenile justice departments to consult with advocacy and support groups when creating regional plans for youth services. The bill allows these groups to provide on-site information, support, and services to children in juvenile facilities, while mandating security and privacy procedures. It prohibits denying access to such groups solely due to pending federal complaints or lawsuits against the department, except when federal law requires access. The bill directly affects juvenile justice departments, advocacy groups, and children in state facilities by expanding collaborative support options within the system.

Maddy summarySB 229 prohibits auto dealers from increasing a vehicle's price or blocking payment methods when buyers use their own money or a loan from a third-party lender (not the dealer or its affiliate). It directly affects car buyers and dealers by banning price hikes for cash or independent financing, and preventing dealers from restricting these payment options. The law requires dealers to accept personal funds or third-party loans without added costs or false claims about payment restrictions. These rules apply only to new purchase agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 306 prohibits Texas public universities from denying student organizations benefits or taking disciplinary action against them based on political, religious, philosophical, or ideological viewpoints. It allows students or groups to sue universities for violations within one year, with each day of ongoing violation counting as a separate claim. The law waives universities' legal immunity for these cases and applies only to violations occurring after September 1, 2025. This directly affects student organizations at public colleges across Texas by protecting their expressive activities from viewpoint-based retaliation.

Maddy summarySB 325 modifies Texas county regulations for land subdivisions by exempting certain landowners from requiring county-approved subdivision plats. It prohibits counties from demanding plats for: (1) agricultural land as defined in the Texas Constitution, or (2) subdivisions where all lots exceed 10 acres without planned streets, parks, or public rights-of-way. This primarily affects rural property owners and county land development offices handling land divisions. The bill also permits counties in groundwater management areas to establish water use requirements when platting is otherwise required, though this provision is secondary to the main exemptions. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2843 mandates a study by Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and UT Southwestern universities, in partnership with the Parks and Wildlife Department, to evaluate current rules for managing chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and elk (cervids) and assess natural cervid resistance to CWD. The study requires a public input process including in-person hearings and a 60-day online portal for public comments on existing policies. Key provisions include comparing Texas policies with other states' approaches, analyzing policy benefits/deficiencies, and examining cervid genetic resistance through scientific data. The study must be completed by December 1, 2026, and reported to the department. This bill does not change existing policies but seeks research to inform future management decisions.