Sen. Kevin Sparks

Maddy summarySB 1196 requires a court order finding child abuse or neglect before adding someone to Texas' central child abuse registry, except in five specific cases. These exceptions include abandonment without identification, a child being a victim of severe injury or sexual abuse (with consent), certain serious criminal offenses (like murder or sexual assault under the Penal Code), leaving a child alone for six months without support, or a conviction for child murder. The bill affects the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services' procedures for adding names to the registry. It aims to ensure registry entries are based on formal legal findings rather than administrative decisions alone.

Maddy summarySB 1195 establishes a formal process for individuals to request removal of their names from Texas's central registry of child abuse and neglect. To apply, a person must submit a written request after waiting two years from when their name was added to the registry. Requests are reviewed by a panel consisting of department officials and a qualified lawyer (board-certified in child welfare or family law with relevant experience), and if denied, the applicant must wait one year before reapplying. The bill also requires confidentiality for all review materials and grants immunity to panel members acting in good faith.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that certain energy facilities (qualifying cogenerators) serving digital manufacturing and colocated desalination plants are not classified as retail electric utilities. Specifically, it amends Texas Utilities Code to define a "qualifying cogenerator" as including facilities providing thermal energy to a desalination plant and serving a digital manufacturing load. This exemption prevents these facilities from being regulated as retail electric utilities when selling electricity to the desalination plant and digital manufacturers. The change applies to new or existing facilities meeting the criteria, streamlining their regulatory status under Texas law.

Maddy summarySB 533 requires that local governments hold elections to authorize bond issuances or tax increases only on the November uniform election date, not on other dates. It prevents these elections from being scheduled as emergency elections under existing law. The bill applies only to elections ordered on or after September 1, 2025, leaving past elections unaffected. This change simplifies scheduling for local governments seeking voter approval for debt or tax measures.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a binding law) expressing Texas's support for strengthening economic ties with Israel. It urges the creation of a Texas Trade and Investment Office in Jerusalem to foster business connections, particularly with countries in the Abraham Accords or peace agreements with Israel. The resolution reaffirms Texas's existing trade relationship with Israel - where Texas ranks among top U.S. states for exports - and directs officials to share the resolution with state, federal, and Israeli leaders. It does not create new programs or allocate funding, serving only as a formal statement of support.

Maddy summarySB 400 requires Texas public school employees to obtain written parental consent before conducting psychological or psychiatric examinations, tests, or treatment of students. The bill defines these activities broadly to include surveys, check-ins, or screenings embedded in lessons, unless mandated by special education law. Parents must sign consent forms for their child to participate, with exceptions for general well-being check-ins that don’t require written permission. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and does not affect routine student wellness conversations. It directly affects all Texas public school students and their parents, changing how schools handle mental health-related student interactions.

Maddy summarySB 472 amends Texas property tax law to clarify who can be sued in appeals of property valuation decisions. It prohibits the chief appraiser, appraisal district, or appraisal review board from filing counterclaims in these appeals and specifies that only the appraisal district (not the review board) can be named as a defendant. This directly affects property owners challenging valuations, appraisal districts, and review boards during tax appeals. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to appeals filed after that date.

Maddy summarySB 371 requires Texas public school districts to obtain written parental consent before providing human sexuality instruction to students. The bill mandates that schools must separately notify parents at least 14 days before instruction begins, with this request not bundled with other communications. It directly affects parents of students in Texas public schools and applies starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The law does not change existing curriculum content but adds a consent requirement for this specific instruction.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution commends Dr. James Olson for 50 years of service as a psychology professor and former dean at The University of Texas Permian Basin. It recognizes his founding role at the university, his teaching awards (including the Piper Professor Award), and his scholarly work on residential burglars. The Texas Legislature formally honored him through this ceremonial resolution, which was signed into law after passage by both chambers.

Maddy summaryHCR 44 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Autry C. Stephens, a Permian Basin oil industry leader who founded Endeavor Energy and pioneered production techniques. It recognizes his posthumous induction into the Petroleum Hall of Fame on April 10, 2025, for his contributions to the petroleum industry and philanthropy. The resolution directs the Texas Legislature to send an official copy to his family as a tribute to his legacy. As a non-binding tribute, it has no legal effect or impact on policy.