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 1727 restricts probation options for certain juvenile offenders in Texas. It prohibits community supervision (probation) for teens aged 17+ who commit a felony while under the Texas Juvenile Justice Department's (TJJD) custody, in a TJJD halfway house, or in a secure juvenile facility. The bill also redefines "habitual felony conduct" to require prior felony adjudications and expands when prosecutors may refer serious juvenile cases (like murder, sexual assault, or aggravated robbery) to grand jury instead of juvenile court. These changes primarily affect teens facing felony charges during active juvenile detention or supervision. The law aims to limit probation for repeat or serious offenses committed while under state juvenile justice supervision.
Maddy summarySB 2251 creates Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 259, a local government entity to provide utility services like water, sewer, and road maintenance within a defined area. The district is granted limited eminent domain power to acquire property for utility infrastructure, authority to issue bonds for capital projects, and the ability to impose fees, taxes, and assessments on properties within its boundaries. It will be governed by a board of five elected directors, with temporary directors appointed until the first election under Section 59 of the Texas Constitution. The bill requires consent from all municipalities within the district’s proposed boundaries before creation.
Maddy summaryThis bill protects sensitive personal information of judges, court clerks, and court staff in Texas. It defines specific details to safeguard - including home addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and children's school information - and prohibits data brokers or others from improperly sharing this data. The law creates a legal right for individuals to sue if their protected information is disclosed and establishes criminal penalties for violations. These changes apply to entities collecting or storing such information for judicial branch employees.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment (SJR 18) that would ban Texas from taxing capital gains - both when assets are sold (realized) or when their value increases without being sold (unrealized) - for individuals, families, estates, or trusts. It explicitly excludes property taxes, sales taxes on goods/services, and use taxes from this prohibition. If approved by voters in the November 2025 election, the amendment would require future Texas laws to comply with this ban on capital gains taxation. The measure directly affects taxpayers who own investments or assets subject to capital gains, but does not change existing tax types like property or sales taxes.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Texas Attorney General to prosecute certain election-related crimes if local prosecutors do not act within six months. Specifically, it mandates that law enforcement agencies must send reports of suspected election law violations to both local prosecutors and the Attorney General. If a local prosecutor fails to file charges within six months, the Attorney General gains automatic authority to handle the case. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and affects how election crime cases are processed across Texas.
Maddy summarySB 3035 creates Montgomery County Water Control and Improvement District No. 7 to manage local water systems and infrastructure. The district will have limited eminent domain power to acquire land for water control projects, the authority to issue bonds for funding, and the ability to impose assessments, fees, and taxes on properties within its boundaries. It directly affects property owners in the designated district area, who will be subject to these financial obligations. The district is governed by a board of five elected directors and must serve public purposes like stormwater management, waste disposal, and road-related drainage improvements as defined in Texas law.
Maddy summarySB 1183 requires Texas electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards for recipients of financial assistance or food benefits to display the recipient's name, photograph, a fraud hotline number, and a fraud reporting website. The Department of Public Safety must provide the commission with recipient photos for card use, unless the recipient qualifies for an exemption (such as being 65+ or under 19, blind, disabled, a domestic violence victim, homeless, or issued the card in person). Exemptions also apply if the Department lacks a recipient's photo. The bill aims to deter fraud by making it easier for the public to report misuse of benefits.
Maddy summarySB 3036 creates Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 258, a new entity authorized to build and maintain infrastructure in specific areas of Montgomery County. The district gains limited power to acquire property via eminent domain, issue bonds for projects, and collect fees, assessments, and taxes from property owners within its boundaries. Its primary purpose is to fund and manage road improvements, storm drainage systems, and related infrastructure under Texas constitutional authority. The district will be governed by a five-member elected board, with temporary directors appointed until permanent members are chosen by voters. This bill directly affects property owners in the designated district territory through future financial obligations.
Maddy summarySB 28 prohibits purchasing or facilitating the purchase of state lottery tickets via telephone, internet, or mobile applications. It specifically bans individuals from buying tickets online or through apps (a Class C misdemeanor) and bans selling or arranging such purchases for compensation (a Class A misdemeanor). The bill directly affects residents attempting to access lottery games digitally and businesses or individuals offering such services. It creates new criminal penalties under Section 466.318 of the Government Code, effective September 1, 2025. The law aims to enforce existing age and location restrictions for lottery play by closing digital loopholes.