Sen. César Blanco

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary sales tax exemption for clothing and footwear priced under $100 during a specific three-day window each year. The exemption applies only to purchases made from 12:01 a.m. Friday before the first Saturday following July 30 until 12 midnight Sunday. It directly affects Texas residents buying qualifying items for school during this period, as the timing aligns with the start of the school year. The exemption is not permanent and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 879 exempts drillers and operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from specific requirements under the Natural Resources Code when they hold a valid permit from the Railroad Commission of Texas. It specifically removes applicability of Sections 85.2021 and 91.142 of the Natural Resources Code for these operators. The exemption applies only to permits issued under the Railroad Commission’s rules, streamlining regulatory oversight for this type of geothermal activity. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects geothermal energy operators seeking permits for closed-loop systems.

Maddy summarySB 2201 requires Texas law enforcement officers to complete a mandatory training course before accessing the state's intelligence database on criminal street gangs and foreign terrorist organizations. The bill specifies that only certain types of evidence - such as court judgments, verified self-admissions during legal proceedings, or two forms of corroborated information - may be entered into the database. It directs the Texas Department of Public Safety to develop rules for the training program and database management procedures. This legislation aims to standardize how law enforcement collects and accesses sensitive intelligence data.

Maddy summarySB 2314 creates "My Texas Future," an electronic platform (MyTexasFuture.org) to help Texas public high school students apply to colleges using a common application. It requires students to opt-in to share their data with colleges for direct admissions programs, with specific opt-out options for parents, emancipated students, or with counselor authorization. The platform must include links to the common application, direct admission listings, financial aid information, and post-secondary value assessments. Schools must annually notify students about creating profiles during registration, and colleges must prominently link to the platform on their admissions websites. This affects all Texas public high school students and institutions of higher education.

Maddy summarySB 767 requires the Texas A&M Forest Service to create and maintain a real-time statewide database tracking all firefighting equipment available for wildfire response. The database must list equipment types, department contact information, allow searches by location or equipment, and be accessible for fire departments to update annually or after changes. It directly affects all fire departments in Texas, including volunteer departments and emergency services districts, which must report their available equipment. This policy change aims to improve coordination during wildfires by providing instant access to shared resources across the state.

Maddy summarySB 1366 requires all Texas driver education and driving safety courses to include specific information about construction and maintenance work zones starting September 1, 2026. The curriculum must cover the dangers of violating traffic rules in these zones and the penalties for such violations under Texas law. This affects all licensed driver education providers and courses offered in Texas. The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation must adopt the required rules by May 1, 2026, to implement the changes. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, but the new curriculum requirement applies to courses held on or after September 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1151 requires Texas insurance companies to conduct semiannual reviews and biennial on-site audits of third-party administrators (TPAs) managing benefits for more than 100 clients (such as policyholders or injured workers) on their behalf. This law directly affects insurers using large-scale TPAs, mandating regular oversight to ensure proper administration of benefits. The key provisions set specific timelines: insurers must review TPA operations at least twice a year and perform in-person audits at least once every two years. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and amends Section 4151.1042 of the Texas Insurance Code.

Maddy summarySB 913 repeals a provision in Texas law that restricted how certain cities could use hotel occupancy tax revenue. The bill removes these restrictions, allowing municipalities to allocate such funds for any purpose starting from the bill's effective date (either immediately or September 1, 2025). Revenue collected before the effective date remains subject to the previous rules. This change directly affects cities that collect hotel taxes, giving them more flexibility in budgeting for future revenue. The bill does not alter existing tax rates or create new funding sources.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Texas pet stores from selling dogs or cats, with limited exceptions for showcasing animals for adoption through qualified animal control agencies or nonprofit rescue organizations. Pet stores may only host these organizations if they meet strict criteria, such as not breeding animals, not receiving payment for animals, and having no ties to breeders or animal brokers. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $500 per day for each animal sold in violation. The law applies only to animals obtained by pet stores on or after the effective date.