Sen. Charles Perry

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 4, 2025, as "Cotton Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It formally honors cotton's historical and economic significance to Texas, referencing its status as the state's official fiber since 1997 and noting Texas produces about 40% of U.S. cotton. The resolution is purely ceremonial, extending "sincere best wishes" to a visiting delegation during the designated day. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any policies or individuals.

Maddy summarySB 1213 creates a grant program through the Texas Education Agency to help school districts and open-enrollment charter schools collect and analyze career and technical education (CTE) data. The grants fund tools to track student participation in career organizations, work-based learning hours, industry certification results, college/career readiness, and enrollment data broken down by race, ethnicity, gender, and special populations. Schools can use the funds for data software, staff training, and integrating CTE data with the state’s education management system. This bill directly affects Texas schools seeking to improve CTE program effectiveness through better data collection.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes Texas water funding advisory committees by renaming the "State Water Implementation Fund for Texas Advisory Committee" to the "Texas Water Fund Advisory Committee" and abolishing the separate "Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund Advisory Committee." It specifies that the new committee will consist of eight members, including the comptroller, water resources committee chairs from both legislative chambers, two appointed senators (with one from finance), and two appointed House members (with one from appropriations). The bill also details staff support roles from the Texas Water Development Board and clarifies that certain members serve "at the will" of the appointing official. This is a procedural change affecting committee structure, not water policy or funding decisions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 175) formally recognizes February 2025 as Black History Month in Texas. It does not create new laws or policies, but serves as a symbolic gesture by the Texas Senate to honor African American contributions to Texas history and culture. The resolution encourages all Texans to learn about the achievements and heritage of Black communities in the state, as detailed in the preamble. As a commemorative resolution, it has no direct legal effect on citizens or government operations.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) honoring Dorothy R. Fox, who died on October 29, 2024, at age 99. The Texas Senate resolution pays tribute to her life, noting her family history, faith, musical talents, and large extended family (including 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren). It extends sympathy to her family members and directs that the Senate adjourn in her memory. As a procedural resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or groups beyond this ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) honoring Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) for its work in rural healthcare, education, and research. It recognizes TTUHSC's role in serving 121 underserved West Texas counties, graduating over 42,000 health professionals, and pioneering telehealth solutions. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses the Texas Senate's appreciation through a formal statement and provides the university with a copy of the resolution. It directly affects TTUHSC and its affiliated students, faculty, and staff by publicly acknowledging their contributions.

Maddy summarySB 391 requires Texas' utility commission to direct an independent organization to develop and regularly update a reliability plan specifically for electric transmission service in the Permian Basin region. This plan must be created by a designated entity overseeing the ERCOT power region and refreshed every five years. The bill directly affects electric utilities and grid operators in the Permian Basin by mandating a formal process to ensure reliable power transmission. It amends existing law to focus on this specific region's infrastructure needs, with the plan taking effect in 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1046 amends Texas law to require the Health and Human Services Commission Executive Council to include at least one parent or guardian of a child with a disability who is a Medicaid recipient (including waiver program users), appointed by the executive commissioner. This change directly affects families of children receiving Medicaid services by mandating their representation on the council. The bill specifies that appointed members under this provision serve at the commissioner's pleasure and receive no salary but may be reimbursed for travel expenses related to council duties. The changes take effect September 1, 2025, requiring the commissioner to make this appointment as soon as practicable after that date.

Maddy summarySB 1123 amends Texas Penal Code Section 31.19 to increase penalties for theft of petroleum products (like gasoline or oil) under specific circumstances. It raises the offense category if the perpetrator organized others, had a prior conviction for this crime, conspired with others, or possessed a firearm during the theft. The bill also clarifies that if the theft violates other laws, prosecution can occur under both this section and the other law. These changes apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of petroleum theft meeting the listed aggravating factors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state commission to evaluate whether relocating certain state agencies from Travis County or adjacent counties to other locations would save the state money over a 10-year period. It directs the commission (with help from the Texas Facilities Commission) to analyze costs like new office space, moving expenses, and potential revenue from selling current state property. If the evaluation finds cost savings, the affected agency must relocate its headquarters outside Travis County or adjacent counties. The law applies to agencies currently headquartered in those areas and takes effect September 1, 2025.