Sen. Brandon Creighton

Maddy summarySB 2701 prohibits Texas municipalities from charging higher water or sewer rates to tax-exempt entities (like nonprofits or government bodies qualifying for sales or property tax exemptions) than they charge to similar non-exempt customers receiving comparable service. The bill amends the Local Government Code to require equal rate structures for these entities, preventing discriminatory pricing based on tax-exempt status. It directly affects qualifying tax-exempt organizations that use municipal water or sewer services. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2684 requires Texas taxing units (like cities or school districts) to include specific bond information on property tax bills or a separate statement. It mandates listing each outstanding bond, its maturity date, whether it will be fully paid in the current tax year, and the portion of the tax bill covering bond debt service. This directly affects property owners receiving tax bills by providing clearer details about how their taxes fund existing bond obligations. The law applies to tax bills mailed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change tax rates or bond issuance rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 2678) requires Texas public universities to deny in-state tuition rates to students who are not authorized to be present in the U.S. under federal law. It mandates that applicants submit statements about their residency timeline and purpose (e.g., establishing a permanent home), and non-citizens must provide an affidavit committing to apply for permanent residency when eligible. Existing students classified as in-state under specific provisions (e.g., parent residency) cannot be reclassified as out-of-state before the 2025-2026 academic year. The policy directly affects undocumented students and non-citizens seeking in-state tuition eligibility at Texas public colleges and universities.

Maddy summarySB 2704 requires most Texas state employees to conduct agency business only at their regular workplace during normal hours, unless specific exceptions apply. Exceptions include disaster response, medical accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, job duties requiring frequent travel, cybersecurity threats, or direct gubernatorial approval. Agencies must obtain written authorization for any exceptions and report them to the state auditor, with annual summaries required. The bill explicitly prohibits using personal residences as work locations without prior written approval from an agency leader. It applies broadly to state agencies but excludes the judicial branch.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas law to clarify what constitutes "neglect of duty" for tenured faculty at public colleges and universities. It explicitly defines neglect as repeated failure to perform core responsibilities in three areas: teaching (classroom/lab instruction), research (study/investigation), and administrative tasks. The change affects all tenured faculty at Texas public higher education institutions by establishing a specific, written standard for evaluating performance. The revised definition takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 2614) exempts medical and dental units at Texas public universities from certain requirements related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in academic courses. It specifically clarifies that DEI restrictions under the Education Code do not apply to academic instruction offered by these units. If a medical or dental unit uses state funds for prohibited academic instruction, it must correct the violation within 90 days to avoid penalties. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 academic year, directly affecting how these units structure their courses and manage state-funded programs.

Maddy summarySB 2616 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to have their Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses reviewed by the State Board of Education by December 31, 2026. The review checks if these courses comply with state law, including exam materials and instruction, and determines which schools can continue offering them. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and expires September 1, 2027. It directly affects all public schools in Texas offering AP or IB courses.

Maddy summarySB 2495 prohibits Texas voting machine manufacturers from entering into, extending, or renewing software development contracts with companies or individuals headquartered or based in China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or Venezuela. The bill directly affects voting system manufacturers seeking foreign software development services, banning such agreements for elections held on or after September 1, 2025. It amends the Election Code to add this restriction, applying only to future elections after the law's effective date. The provision does not affect existing contracts or non-software aspects of voting machine manufacturing.

Maddy summarySB 2686 establishes specific rules for paying directors and reimbursing their expenses for Conroe Municipal Management District No. 2. The bill references existing Water Code Section 49.060 to set director compensation rates and requires the district to cover necessary, reasonable expenses incurred while performing board duties. It creates a new legal chapter (Chapter 3991) within Texas special district law exclusively for this district. This bill directly affects the 10 directors of Conroe MMD No. 2 and modifies how their pay and expenses are handled under state law.

Maddy summarySB 2685 amends Texas law to clarify when landowners or residents can bypass local government consent for new political subdivisions (like water districts) in a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction. If a city fails to grant consent within 75 days of a written request, affected landowners (50%+ of land) or residents (majority of voters) may petition the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) instead. The TCEQ can approve the new district only if the city cannot reasonably provide adequate water/wastewater services at a reasonable cost using existing infrastructure or has failed to commit to building necessary facilities within 2 years (completion in 4.5 years). This bill directly affects landowners and developers seeking new service areas where local governments refuse cooperation. It streamlines the process for creating essential public services without local approval under specific, defined conditions.