Maddy summarySB 2619 modifies Texas school district governance by requiring school boards in underperforming districts (those rated "F" for two years or designated "rapidly declining" due to significant performance drops) to hold special elections for trustees before December 31 of the following year. It mandates that school boards publicly review and disclose applicants' past academic performance records when hiring a superintendent, including relative performance rankings from state evaluations. The bill also requires all school districts to post board member contact information and term dates on their websites (or submit to the Texas Education Agency if no website exists), with updates required within 30 days of membership changes. Additionally, it establishes new approval requirements for training providers for school board members, prohibiting political advocacy during training and mandating agency review of provider credentials and content.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 3061 prohibits children of state representatives, state senators, and statewide elected officials from participating in Texas' education savings account program while their parent or guardian holds that office. The bill amends the Education Code to explicitly deny eligibility to these children during their parent's term in elected office. This restriction applies beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, regardless of whether the bill receives immediate effect under Texas Constitution Section 39. The provision directly affects children of specific elected officials, not other program participants.
Maddy summarySB 825 requires the Texas state department to conduct an annual study on the economic, environmental, and financial impacts of illegal immigration within the state. The study must be completed by September 1 each year, with results submitted to the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature. The department may collaborate with universities, nonprofits, or government agencies to assist with the study. This bill directly affects state agencies responsible for data collection and reporting, with the requirement taking effect September 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 13) urges the U.S. Department of State and the International Boundary and Water Commission to ensure Mexico complies with the 1944 Treaty on shared water resources. It specifically addresses Mexico's failure to deliver the required 350,000 acre-feet of water annually (averaged over five years), with a current deficit of 984,814 acre-feet. The resolution highlights how this shortfall harms Texas water users, including municipal, agricultural, and industrial sectors in the Rio Grande Valley, impacting reservoir levels and causing economic losses like the closure of Texas' only sugar mill. As a non-binding resolution, it formally requests U.S. federal agencies to take action but does not change legal obligations.
Maddy summarySB 318 creates an "election integrity division" within the Texas Attorney General's office, directly affecting the AG's office and local election officials (political subdivisions). The division investigates alleged election fraud or violations of the Election Code using available funds, can request state law enforcement assistance, and has authority to issue administrative subpoenas compelling document production or witness testimony from local governments. The bill requires the division to operate under existing or newly appropriated funding and takes effect on September 1, 2025. This establishes a formal state-level investigative mechanism for election-related concerns.
Maddy summarySB 1185 exempts certain medical boilers used in FDA-regulated equipment (like hospital autoclaves) from Texas boiler registration and inspection requirements. It applies specifically to boilers meeting strict size and pressure limits: max 16-inch diameter, 20 square feet heating surface (or electric), 5 cubic feet volume, and 100 psi pressure. This directly affects medical facilities and equipment manufacturers using qualifying devices. The exemption became effective September 1, 2025, after the bill was signed into law.
Maddy summarySB 466 updates Texas law to clarify the definition of a "fetal death certificate" in the Health and Safety Code. It specifies that such a certificate applies to: (1) fetuses weighing 350 grams or more, or at least 20 weeks gestation (if weight is unknown), or (2) any fetus when a family member requests a certificate. This change directly affects hospitals, medical examiners, and families who experience fetal loss, ensuring consistent certification practices. The bill does not create new requirements but standardizes existing procedures for documenting fetal deaths.
Maddy summaryHJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing state taxes on property transferred after someone's death, including estate, inheritance, or gift taxes. It specifically prevents new taxes on these transfers or increases to existing taxes that were in place before January 1, 2025. Exceptions include taxes on motor vehicle gifts, certain property taxes (ad valorem), and taxes already authorized under existing law. This amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election and would affect anyone transferring property through wills, inheritances, or gifts after the amendment takes effect.
Maddy summarySB 2702 requires anyone who repairs or tests backflow prevention assemblies (devices that prevent contaminated water from flowing back into clean water systems) to hold either a state-issued license under the Water Code or a certification from a nationally recognized accrediting organization. This directly affects plumbers, technicians, and service companies performing this specific work. The bill establishes two compliance pathways for professionals and takes effect September 1, 2025. It does not change existing water safety standards but sets licensing requirements for the personnel working on these critical devices.
Maddy summarySB 1950 amends Texas unemployment benefit eligibility rules to strengthen requirements for claimants. It requires individuals to have earned wages in at least three calendar quarters (up from two) during their base period, with earnings equal to 37 times their weekly benefit amount (up from six times). The bill also mandates verified work search activities - such as submitting job applications, attending job fairs, or participating in approved training - and identity verification by the Texas Workforce Commission. These changes directly affect unemployed Texans seeking benefits, making it harder to qualify by increasing wage credit thresholds and verifying job search efforts.