Maddy summarySB 2354 allows property developers and landowners to seek independent third-party reviews of development plans and permits, or inspections of construction, if a local government regulatory authority fails to act within 15 days. It specifies that qualified reviewers must be licensed engineers, International Code Council-certified inspectors, or government employees approved for this role - excluding the applicant or their contractors. The bill requires third parties to follow the same standards as local authorities and report results to the agency within 15 days of completion. This applies to applicants seeking permits or owners needing inspections for property improvements. The bill aims to reduce delays in development approvals without changing substantive regulations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 14, titled the Regulatory Reform and Efficiency Act, creates the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office within the governor's office to streamline how state agencies develop and review regulations. The office will help agencies identify unnecessary rules, reduce costs for businesses and individuals, and establish a public online portal for searching regulatory information. This bill directly affects state agencies that create regulations and the public who interact with those regulations. The new office will operate until 2037 unless extended under the Sunset Act, with its work focused on improving regulatory efficiency and transparency.
Maddy summarySB 3032 updates the legal name and governance structure of the Sabine Pass Port Authority in Texas law. It changes the official name to "Port of Sabine Pass" throughout state code, standardizes terminology, and alters the commission's election process by extending commissioner terms from two to four years with staggered elections (two commissioners elected in even-numbered years, three in odd-numbered years). The bill directly affects the Port Authority's governing commission members and their election schedule, streamlining administrative language and term structure without creating new powers or financial obligations. These changes align the authority's legal framework with its operational identity.
Maddy summarySB 1871 requires each public school campus to designate a behavior coordinator responsible for discipline management and ensuring access to telehealth mental health services. It creates legal immunity for school staff who report safety concerns or remove students from class under specific safety protocols. The bill also clarifies that school districts cannot exempt themselves from core education requirements like curriculum standards or accountability measures. These changes directly affect school staff, students, and campus administrators in Texas public schools. The bill aims to standardize discipline procedures while improving mental health service access without altering existing accountability frameworks.
Maddy summarySB 1067 prohibits Texas public universities and their employees from soliciting or accepting gifts, grants, donations, or investments from certain foreign entities. It specifically bans these actions with governments, political parties, or companies headquartered in countries identified by U.S. intelligence as posing national security risks. The bill requires institutions or employees to return any money or valuables received in violation to the foreign source. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all public higher education institutions and their employees in Texas.
Maddy summarySB 32 would create a $25,000 property tax exemption for businesses owning or leasing tangible personal property (like equipment or tools) used to generate income. This exemption applies to each business location within a taxing unit, with property at the same location being combined to determine eligibility. Businesses leasing equipment would receive the same exemption as if they owned it. The bill affects Texas businesses that use physical assets to produce income, reducing their local property tax burden on those assets.
Maddy summarySB 707 would allow the Texas legislature to declare certain federal directives (like laws, executive orders, or agency rules) unconstitutional if they infringe on state powers under the Tenth Amendment or block Texas from protecting public health, safety, or welfare. If declared unconstitutional, the bill would prohibit state government officers and employees (including local officials and school staff) from enforcing or assisting in enforcing those directives. The process requires a concurrent resolution approved by legislative leadership (speaker or lieutenant governor) before a declaration can be made. This bill does not apply to federal directives activating Texas state military forces.
Maddy summarySB 1741 requires all Texas public universities to report foreign funding received from entities outside the U.S. annually, beginning September 2024. It prohibits institutions from accepting gifts, grants, or donations from the Chinese government or entities controlled by it. The bill also mandates that all university researchers complete annual training on identifying espionage risks, protecting intellectual property, and reporting suspicious activity. Universities must establish internal systems for staff and students to report potential espionage or theft. These requirements apply directly to every public institution of higher education in Texas.
Maddy summarySB 2942 amends Texas Education Code provisions related to charter schools and adult education programs. It grants charter schools and their employees immunity from liability similar to traditional school districts (Section 1), lowers the age limit for adult education program eligibility from 60 to 50 years old (Section 2), and clarifies that students in these programs can earn high school diplomas by passing assessments approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Section 3). The bill also modifies accountability frameworks to include career readiness metrics and streamlines approval processes for charter expansions (Sections 4-6). These changes directly affect charter schools, adult learners aged 18-50, and their educational pathways.
Maddy summaryThis is a Senate Resolution (SR 416), not a bill with policy changes. It formally recognizes 19 interns who worked for Senator Judith Zaffirini's office during Texas' 89th Legislative Session (2025). The resolution commends them for their contributions to legislative research, constituent outreach, and administrative tasks, and expresses the Senate's appreciation for their dedication. It was adopted by the Texas Senate on April 22, 2025, and includes a copy of the resolution as a token of recognition. This is purely a ceremonial gesture with no legal effect or policy impact.