Sen. Charles Perry

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 300 requires the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or its foster care contractors to share specific child safety information with state or local juvenile justice agencies upon request. It directly affects children in foster care, those involved in abuse/neglect investigations, or with terminated parental rights, and juvenile justice agencies managing these cases. The key provision mandates sharing details like foster care history, abuse/neglect reports, or victim/perpetrator status to improve community safety and coordinate services for "multi-system youth." The law applies only to requests made on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed immediately).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses and public establishments to allow certain state law enforcement personnel to carry weapons on their premises, regardless of whether they're actively working. It specifically applies to community supervision/corrections officers, juvenile probation officers, and honorably retired law enforcement officers who are authorized to carry weapons. The bill adds a requirement that these officers must possess a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement firearms proficiency certificate and receive department authorization to carry weapons. It also updates the Penal Code to clarify that taking a weapon from these officers is a criminal offense under specific circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 265 clarifies that payment processing services provided by marketplace providers (like online platforms connecting buyers and sellers) are exempt from Texas sales and use taxes. It directly affects marketplace providers and their sellers by removing tax liability for these specific transaction-processing services. The bill amends tax code to explicitly exclude "services provided by a marketplace provider in relation to processing a sale or payment" from taxable "data processing services." This creates a clear tax exemption for core payment processing functions, while maintaining tax obligations for other services like platform fees. The exemption takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 301 requires Texas juvenile justice alternative education programs to provide at least 43,200 minutes (equivalent to seven hours daily for 180 days) of instructional time each school year. This applies directly to programs serving youth in the juvenile justice system, with an exception allowing waivers from the Texas Juvenile Justice Department under specific conditions. Programs may request waivers for fewer instructional minutes, but the department cannot grant waivers exceeding the highest number of days waived for any school district served by the program during the same year. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 294 creates a new criminal offense for "residential picketing" in Texas, directly affecting individuals who protest outside homes. It defines picketing as standing/sitting with signs, loud chanting, or blocking access to a dwelling with intent to harass or disturb residents. The bill classifies this as a Class B misdemeanor and requires police to issue a dispersal order before arresting someone for picketing (unless the person has already harmed others' interests). This law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 303 allows courts in Texas counties with 50,000+ residents to appoint non-certified spoken language interpreters for certain court cases under two conditions: (1) when the required language isn't Spanish and no certified interpreter is within 75 miles, or (2) for justice, municipal, or municipal court of record proceedings. This directly affects non-Spanish language speakers in larger counties facing interpreter shortages and courts seeking flexible solutions. The bill amends the Government Code to expand court options for interpreter appointments beyond certified/licensed professionals in specific scenarios. It takes effect September 1, 2025, with no changes to Spanish interpreter requirements. The policy focuses on practical access to interpretation services during court proceedings.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 297 modifies reimbursement rules for appointed defense attorneys in noncapital criminal cases (excluding public defenders). It allows reimbursement for reasonable expenses like investigation costs, expert fees, and travel/lodging when a defendant is held more than 50 miles from court - covering both in-person meetings and remote communication costs. Reimbursement follows specific pathways: with court approval (matching capital case rules), or without approval (using separate capital case procedures). The bill applies only to expenses incurred on or after its September 1, 2025 effective date.

Maddy summarySB 295 increases penalties for arson targeting government buildings in Texas. If someone sets fire to a government building (like a courthouse or police station), the crime becomes a first-degree felony instead of a second-degree felony, making it punishable by longer prison sentences. This change applies only to arson committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect cases that occurred before that date. The bill specifically elevates penalties for arson involving government buildings, homes, or places of worship, but does not alter sentencing for other types of arson.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing new taxes on estate transfers, inheritances, legacies, successions, or gifts after January 1, 2025. It also prevents increasing rates or expanding the scope of existing taxes on these transfers beyond their 2025 levels. Exceptions include taxes described in Section 29(b) of the Constitution and taxes on motor vehicle gifts. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 4, 2025 election.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) recognizing the Texas Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA). It designates January 29, 2025, as "Texas APWA Day" to honor the organization's work in maintaining public infrastructure like roads, bridges, and water systems across Texas. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses the Texas Senate's appreciation for APWA's role in supporting public works professionals and their 2,100+ members statewide.