Maddy summarySB 2943 prohibits Texas state agencies from adopting rules, regulations, or policies that limit an occupational license applicant's or holder's ability to obtain, maintain, or renew a license based on their sincerely held religious beliefs. It also bans actions that burden an applicant's or holder's free exercise of religion, religious speech, or membership in a religious organization. Exceptions include peace officer licensing (handled by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) and requirements to ensure professional standards, while the law does not override medical services needed to prevent death or serious injury. Individuals can challenge violations through administrative hearings or court actions, except in cases involving sexual misconduct allegations or criminal prosecution.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 205 requires Texas public schools to include fetal development instruction in health classes for students in grades 7 and 8, with optional implementation in other grades. The curriculum must cover human reproduction, pregnancy, infertility, birth defect prevention (including drug/alcohol/environmental risks), and detailed fetal growth stages by trimester. This policy applies to all public school districts beginning the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects middle school students and school districts responsible for implementing the mandated health education content.
Maddy summarySB 2060 establishes the Texas Advanced Nuclear Deployment Office within the Governor's office and creates a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Program to support the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors in Texas. The program, funded through the Texas energy fund, will assist companies in securing licenses and making final investment decisions for nuclear projects that generate electricity. It specifically targets advanced reactor technologies like small modular reactors and aims to create high-wage manufacturing jobs while advancing Texas' energy infrastructure. The bill defines key terms and outlines how the Office of the Governor and Texas Public Utility Commission will administer the program.
Maddy summarySB 3043 creates the Craver Ranch Municipal Management District No. 1 in Denton, Texas, to promote economic development, housing, and public services in the area. The district will have authority to issue bonds, impose property assessments and fees, and exercise limited eminent domain powers to fund improvements like infrastructure and parks. It is designed to supplement, not replace, existing city services provided by Denton, as explicitly stated in the bill. This procedural bill establishes the framework for the district but does not change current service levels or enact new policies.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 506) is a symbolic gesture by the Texas Senate to recognize May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month. It formally acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States and Texas, including their roles in the Texas Revolution, community founding, and cultural enrichment. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it serves only as a ceremonial acknowledgment by the Texas Senate. It directly affects the state legislature's official recognition of this observance. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 8, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 2422 prohibits the Texas Medical Board from investigating or disciplining healthcare professionals for prescribing or advocating ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, or budesonide for COVID-19 treatment, making statements about mask effectiveness, or failing to require masks (except in areas where mask-wearing was customary before the pandemic). It requires the Medical Board to expunge all records created since January 1, 2020, containing those drug names or the word "mask" in disciplinary contexts, and to vacate any penalties based on such records. The bill would take effect immediately if passed by a two-thirds vote, or on September 1, 2025, if not.
Maddy summarySB 1640 would expand background checks for Medicaid providers and applicants by requiring the Health and Human Services Commission to access criminal history records for specific individuals. It directly affects current Medicaid providers and those applying to join the program, including people with 5% or more ownership interest, mortgage holders with 5%+ stakes in provider property, officers/directors of corporate providers, partners in partnership providers, and managing employees. The bill clarifies that providers must disclose these individuals' criminal history records as part of enrollment and eligibility requirements under Medicaid and other public benefits programs. This change modifies existing Texas law to align with federal regulations regarding provider background checks.
Maddy summarySB 569 allows Texas school districts to adjust how student attendance is calculated during emergencies (like natural disasters or pandemics) to maintain funding under the Foundation School Program. It authorizes the commissioner of education to grant waivers or modifications to average daily attendance rules during crises, preventing funding cuts that would otherwise occur if attendance dropped due to virtual learning or school closures. The bill also permits the commissioner to charge a fee for processing these attendance adjustments. This directly affects school districts relying on state funding tied to attendance metrics during emergency periods.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows Texas public universities to disregard undergraduate applicants' academic records older than 10 years when evaluating admission, but requires them to retain the most recent 5 years of grades and credits. Colleges must publicly post their specific policies on this practice and cannot selectively ignore only parts of the 10-year window - they must disregard all records from that period if they choose to apply the policy. The law applies to admissions for the 2025 fall semester and affects how institutions count credits toward degree requirements for students using this "academic fresh start" option. It also ties state funding for relevant credits to this policy starting in 2025.
Maddy summarySB 1224 requires public school district leaders (superintendents, directors) and private school chief administrators to notify local police or county sheriffs within 48 hours if they have reasonable cause to believe an educator committed specific misconduct, such as sexual abuse or violence. This applies to all public school entities (including charter schools) and private schools in Texas. Failure to report can result in fines up to $10,000 for educators or a state jail felony for school leaders who intentionally conceal misconduct. The bill amends Texas Education Code sections 21.006 and 21.0062 to establish these reporting requirements and penalties.