Sen. Charles Perry

Maddy summarySB 1867 would add 20+ specific synthetic drugs - including 5-APB, Bromo-DragonFLY, and methoxetamine - to Penalty Group 2 of Texas' Controlled Substances Act. This change would make possession or distribution of these substances illegal under the same penalties currently applied to drugs like MDMA and methamphetamine. The bill directly affects individuals in Texas who possess, distribute, or manufacture these newly classified substances. It amends Section 481.103(a) of the Health and Safety Code to explicitly list these compounds as controlled substances.

Maddy summarySB 1890 exempts Texas municipalities from requiring workers' compensation insurance coverage and performance bonds for construction projects under 1% of their most recent budget. This applies directly to small municipal construction projects (defined as work at one location within 12 months) and affects contractors working on such projects. The bill prohibits municipalities from aggregating multiple projects to circumvent the exemption, ensuring the 1% threshold applies to each individual project. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to contracts entered into on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 1866 clarifies that consumable hemp products regulated under Texas Chapter 443 cannot be considered "adulterated" solely because they are hemp products. This bill directly affects hemp product businesses and Texas health regulators by removing a potential barrier to their sale under the Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The key provision amends the Health and Safety Code to explicitly state that hemp products are not automatically deemed adulterated if they comply with Chapter 443 regulations. The bill also updates the definition of "Commerce" to include both intrastate and interstate trade. This is a technical clarification bill with no new regulatory requirements, focusing on preventing regulatory confusion for hemp businesses.

Maddy summarySB 2988 requires Texas Medicaid managed care organizations to obtain pre-award certification from the state commission before winning contracts. To qualify, organizations must prove financial stability for projected enrollment, secure national accreditation, demonstrate sufficient provider networks, have five years of relevant experience, hold insurance licensure, and meet other commission criteria. The commission must establish clear certification timelines, publish criteria, issue written certifications, and maintain public records of all certifications. This bill directly affects Medicaid managed care organizations seeking to provide services under Texas Medicaid programs.

Maddy summarySB 2952 establishes a regulatory framework for hemp and nonconsumable hemp products (like cloth, paper, and plastics made from hemp) in Texas. It requires businesses to obtain an occupational license to grow or handle hemp, increases civil penalties for violations up to $10,000, and clarifies definitions (e.g., limiting "hemp" to the plant itself and its first-order derivatives). The bill also mandates a state monitoring plan to comply with federal hemp laws while maintaining Texas's primary regulatory authority. This directly affects hemp producers, processors, and businesses selling nonconsumable hemp products within the state.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 258 is a commemorative measure honoring the late U.S. Congressman Sylvester Turner of Houston, who died on March 5, 2025. The resolution recognizes his career as a Texas state legislator, mayor of Houston, and U.S. Congressman, highlighting his dedication to public service in Houston's Acres Homes neighborhood and his work on health care, education, and community resilience. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups, as it is a symbolic tribute to his legacy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 232) designates March 12, 2025, as "Texas Tech University System Day" to recognize the system's contributions. It highlights the Texas Tech University System's role in education, research, and healthcare across Texas, including its institutions (Texas Tech University, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Angelo State University, etc.), 64,000+ students, $3 billion endowment, and community impact. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy effect or direct impact on any group - it simply expresses legislative recognition of the system's achievements. This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with substantive policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 501 updates Texas law to enhance safety for underground utility infrastructure. It expands the definition of "underground facility" to include telecom, electricity, gas, water, and hazardous liquids, directly affecting utility companies and excavators. Key provisions require large utility operators to provide annual safety information to residential customers, establish a statewide toll-free number (811-style) for excavation notifications, and pay an annual $50 fee. Operators must also submit facility maps and contact details to notification centers, while the state corporation sets technical standards and oversees the toll-free system. These changes aim to prevent accidental damage during digging by improving coordination and public awareness.

Maddy summarySB 1629 amends Texas Water Code provisions to expand how the Texas Water Development Board administers the Texas Water Bank and related funds. It authorizes financial assistance to cities and counties for specific water projects, including desalination (marine/brackish water), produced water treatment (excluding oil/gas exploration), aquifer storage, and reservoir projects meeting federal and state permitting requirements. The bill also clarifies that funds can be transferred to state water implementation funds and establishes new mechanisms for the board to operate the water bank, such as maintaining a registry of available water rights and encouraging conservation deposits. These changes directly affect local governments developing water infrastructure and the Texas Water Development Board’s operational authority.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 1696 requires that birth certificates issued in Texas include a person's biological sex - determined by sex organs, chromosomes, or endogenous profile - listed as either male or female. It directly affects all newborns in Texas and parents/guardians who file birth certificates, mandating that biological sex be recorded unless a physician determines a child has atypical or ambiguous sex characteristics at birth. The bill allows for later amendments to birth certificates once a child's sex is determined, but prohibits changing the recorded sex except for correcting clerical errors or completing initial omissions. This legislation specifically targets birth certificate documentation under Texas Health and Safety Code sections 192.002, 192.003, and 192.011.