Sen. Brandon Creighton

Maddy summarySB 762 would prohibit Texas public schools from displaying most flags on school property, allowing only specific exceptions like the U.S. flag, Texas state flag, historical flags (per Texas Historical Commission), military flags, tribal flags, and school-authorized flags. Schools violating this rule must remedy the issue within 10 business days of a parent's written notice, or face a $500 daily civil penalty. The bill directly affects public elementary and secondary schools, requiring them to comply with these display restrictions. It creates a process where parents can report violations and schools must address them within a strict timeframe to avoid fines.

Maddy summarySB 2365 would require Texas public school districts and charter schools to adopt policies banning students from using personal wireless devices (like smartphones, tablets, or laptops not issued by the school) during class time. The bill allows exceptions for devices needed for individualized education programs (IEPs), documented medical needs, or health/safety requirements. School boards must implement these policies starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects all public school students in Texas during instructional periods, with limited exceptions for specific educational or safety needs.

Maddy summarySJR 12 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a parent's right to direct their child's education in Texas. It would add Section 37 to the Texas Constitution, defining "parent" broadly to include natural parents, stepparents, adoptive parents, guardians, and legal custodians. The amendment guarantees specific rights: choosing public school options, selecting alternatives like private or homeschool, accessing school materials and records (including health records), and attending school meetings - without restriction based on disability. This is a procedural bill requiring voter approval in the November 2025 election.

Maddy summarySJR 81 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to exempt up to $25,000 of the market value of tangible personal property (like business equipment or vehicles) from property taxes when the property is used to generate income. This would directly affect business owners and individuals who use such property for income-producing activities, such as rental properties or commercial operations. If approved by voters, the amendment would amend the Texas Constitution to authorize this specific tax exemption, requiring legislative action to implement. The bill must be voted on by Texas voters in November 2025 to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 3013 modifies Texas financial disclosure rules by requiring the Texas Ethics Commission to remove home addresses from public financial statements before releasing them. It directly affects state officers, candidates for office, state party chairs, judges, and members of the Texas Civil Commitment Office governing board. The bill adds a new requirement that trustees of blind trusts must sign a sworn statement confirming they haven't improperly disclosed trust details and that the trust complies with the law. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, and aims to protect the privacy of specific public officials' home addresses while maintaining transparency around financial disclosures.

Maddy summarySB 3014 modifies Texas Ethics Commission rules to allow filers to correct obvious typographical errors in registrations or reports without penalty. The bill requires the Commission to adopt rules specifying which errors qualify as technical/clerical (like typos) and the process for correction, such as filing an amended document. It also clarifies that the Commission cannot impose fines for these simple errors and adjusts penalty structures for late filings (e.g., a $500 base penalty for late statements, with potential increases for delays over 30 days). This directly affects individuals and entities required to file financial disclosures with the Commission under Texas law.

Maddy summarySB 1909 requires Texas public universities to adopt policies prohibiting antisemitism-motivated violence or speech intended to incite immediate violence against Jewish individuals or communities. It mandates disciplinary actions, including student expulsion or disbanding student organizations, for violations. Institutions must submit annual compliance reports to the legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before spending funds for the next fiscal year. The policy takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year, with the reporting requirement applying to funds starting September 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2815 requires Texas colleges and universities undergoing a merger or name change to give enrolled students the choice of receiving a diploma with either the new institution's name or the former name. This applies specifically to students enrolled at the time of the name change, directly affecting their official academic documentation. The bill mandates this option starting with the 2025-2026 academic year, effective September 1, 2025. The provision ensures students have a clear choice regarding the name appearing on their diploma following institutional changes.

Maddy summarySCR 39 is a Texas Senate Concurrent Resolution expressing the state's position on border security. It criticizes the federal government's border policies, noting Texas spent $11 billion on its own border security efforts (Operation Lone Star) due to perceived federal inaction. The resolution formally urges the federal government to take immediate action, including increased resources and reimbursement for Texas's costs, and requests that it be entered into the Congressional Record. This is a non-binding expression of state position, not a law creating new policy.

Maddy summarySB 26 establishes new requirements for Texas public school districts and charter schools regarding teacher evaluation, compensation, and support. It creates an "enhanced teacher incentive allotment" designation for schools implementing performance-based evaluation systems, requiring them to use appraisals to determine teacher designations, offer performance-linked pay (without automatic raises), and place effective teachers at high-need campuses. The bill also creates a grant program to help districts expand local teacher designation systems and provides free liability insurance and rights assistance for classroom teachers through a contracted third party. These provisions directly affect school districts, charter schools, principals, instructional staff, and all public school teachers in Texas.