Sen. Brandon Creighton

Maddy summarySB 2929 changes rules for removing disruptive spectators at school sports events by allowing referees, judges, or officials to eject them without first giving a verbal warning. This directly affects school officials (like referees) and spectators at extracurricular athletic activities sponsored by school districts or the University Interscholastic League. The law applies immediately for the 2025-2026 school year and removes the requirement for officials to issue a verbal warning before ejecting someone for inappropriate behavior.

Maddy summaryHCR 40 is a Texas legislative resolution urging Congress to reimburse the state for border security costs incurred under Operation Lone Star. It states Texas has spent billions since 2021 on this initiative - including surveillance, law enforcement support, and managing migration - resulting in over 516,000 apprehensions and 45,300 arrests. The resolution formally requests Congress assume responsibility for border security costs, directing Texas officials to send copies to the U.S. President and congressional leaders. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create law but serves as a formal request to federal lawmakers.

Maddy summaryHB 123 amends Texas Education Code Section 12.104(b) to require open-enrollment charter schools to comply with existing state standards for early literacy, numeracy, and kindergarten readiness. Specifically, it mandates that charter schools follow established requirements related to reading/math assessments (Sections 28.006, 28.0063, 28.0064), accelerated instruction (Section 28.0211), and prekindergarten programs (Chapter 29). The bill directly affects charter schools by extending these K-3 educational standards to their operations, ensuring alignment with public school accountability measures. It does not create new funding but clarifies that charter schools must implement existing state-mandated early learning frameworks.

Maddy summarySB 961 requires the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to conduct regular electronic data matches to verify Medicaid recipients' eligibility, directly affecting Medicaid beneficiaries. Key provisions mandate monthly checks for lottery winnings, death records, and out-of-state benefit transactions, plus quarterly reviews of voter registration cancellations to detect potential residency changes. The bill prohibits waiving these verification requirements and bans accepting self-attested income, residency, or citizenship details for Medicaid eligibility. These measures aim to prevent fraud by ensuring ongoing accuracy in benefit eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 505 creates a formal process for certain election participants - such as candidates, party chairs, election judges, and political committee heads - to request explanations from county clerks about election irregularities. Under Section 280.001, these individuals can seek written explanations for issues like voting discrepancies or documentation gaps within 20 days, with a follow-up request allowed if unsatisfied (requiring a 10-day response). If unresolved, they may escalate to the Secretary of State for an audit within 30 days (Section 280.002), requiring submission of prior requests and responses. The bill directly affects those actively involved in elections as defined in the text, focusing on transparency in addressing irregularities rather than imposing penalties.

Maddy summarySB 2460 sets new standards for rapid DNA analysis by Texas law enforcement agencies and governs what information can be stored in DNA databases. The bill requires all DNA analyses - including rapid tests performed by police - to meet or exceed FBI quality assurance standards, and databases may only include records from such compliant analyses. It also specifies permitted uses for the database, such as identifying human remains after disasters, aiding in missing persons cases, and supporting forensic research when personal information is removed. The legislation defines key terms like "rapid DNA analysis" (completed in under 24 hours) and "DNA record" to clarify how data is collected and stored.

Maddy summarySB 2920 amends Texas education law to clarify eligibility rules for student-athletes in University Interscholastic League (UIL) competitions. It removes ineligibility penalties for students using steroids prescribed by a medical professional for a valid medical purpose, such as treating a health condition. However, it explicitly states that using steroids for gender transition purposes does not qualify as a "valid medical purpose" and would still result in ineligibility. This bill directly affects high school athletes participating in UIL-sanctioned sports who use prescription steroids.

Maddy summarySB 2703 prevents municipalities and counties from treating condominium developments differently than other similar property types under local zoning, building codes, or subdivision regulations. It specifically clarifies that condo declarations are not considered "subdivisions" under Texas Local Government Code Chapters 212, 232, or 242, and prohibits local governments from requiring subdivision plats for condo creation or modifications. This bill directly affects condo developers, owners, and local governments by eliminating additional approval steps for condos that were previously treated as subdivisions. The changes apply only to new condo declarations recorded on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing condos governed by prior law.

Maddy summarySB 570 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt attendance policies aimed at preventing truancy. These policies must inform students and parents about attendance benefits, describe consequences like academic impacts and potential truancy court referrals, and mandate schools to notify parents about absences via email/text or mail. Schools must also hold meetings with parents when students risk truancy and provide referrals to support services for students struggling to attend. The policy takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 2799 increases criminal penalties for reckless driving in Texas based on the severity of injuries caused. If a driver causes bodily injury through reckless driving, the offense becomes a state jail felony; if serious bodily injury occurs, it becomes a third-degree felony. The bill amends Texas Transportation Code Section 545.401 to establish these tiered penalties, which apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. This directly affects drivers whose reckless driving results in injury to others, raising potential jail time and fines beyond the current misdemeanor penalties.