Sen. Charles Schwertner

Maddy summarySB 842 creates legal immunity for ringside physicians working at combative sports events (like boxing or MMA) in Texas, protecting them from civil lawsuits for actions taken within their professional duties. This applies to all such physicians at these events, except when their conduct involves gross negligence. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor’s signature, which occurred on May 24, 2025. It does not change medical standards but limits civil liability for routine professional actions during events. The bill directly affects physicians employed at these events by reducing their exposure to lawsuits over standard medical care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires government agencies with eminent domain authority (like cities or utility companies) to send property owners certified mail copies of all appraisals used to value their land within the past 10 years when making an initial offer to buy it. If they fail to disclose these appraisals, they must pay the owner's reasonable attorney fees incurred during the acquisition process. The rule applies only to new acquisition offers made on or after September 1, 2025, not to deals finalized before that date. It directly affects property owners receiving such offers and aims to increase transparency in eminent domain proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 616 allows specific aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects to operate in a defined area of the Edwards Aquifer in Williamson County east of Interstate 35. It amends water code rules to permit ASR injection wells that transect the aquifer in this location, while maintaining general restrictions on such projects elsewhere. The bill directly affects water management practices for municipal and agricultural entities in Williamson County seeking to store water underground. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality must adopt implementing rules by March 1, 2026, to administer this exception. This policy change specifically modifies permitting for water storage projects in one geographic area without altering broader aquifer protections.

Maddy summarySJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Texas school district property tax exemptions for elderly or disabled homeowners. Currently, the exemption for these residents is $10,000; this bill would raise it to $60,000 of a home's market value. The amendment would allow the legislature to adjust this exemption amount, with provisions ensuring eligible individuals (65+ or disabled) cannot receive both the basic exemption and this enhanced benefit. It directly affects Texas homeowners aged 65 or older or with disabilities who own their primary residence. The bill requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 3069 requires Texas' Public Utility Commission to establish new criteria for approving certain transmission projects in the ERCOT power grid that aren't needed for reliability. It mandates a 10-year cost-benefit analysis comparing project costs to estimated congestion savings for electricity consumers, applying a 3% discount to savings after year 5. The bill directly affects utility companies seeking transmission project approvals and Texas electricity consumers who bear associated costs. This policy change modifies how the Commission evaluates projects, focusing on long-term consumer savings rather than just grid reliability.

Maddy summarySJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead exemption for school district property taxes in Texas from $100,000 to $140,000. This change would directly reduce the taxable value of a primary residence for school taxes, lowering property tax bills for homeowners. The amendment requires voter approval in a November 2025 election to take effect for the 2025 tax year. If passed, it would provide an additional $40,000 in tax relief on primary homes for school funding purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal rights for individuals to control the digital replication of their voice or visual likeness. It defines a "digital replica" as a realistic computer-generated representation not based on existing performances (excluding standard music sampling or remixing). Individuals can sue if their likeness is used without consent, and the law authorizes a fee for certain digital replication services. The law applies to both living and deceased individuals, protecting their identity from unauthorized digital use.

Maddy summarySB 27 modifies Texas education law to protect public school educators' rights and provide financial support. It requires salary reductions for unpaid leave to be calculated using annual salary divided by expected workdays (affecting teachers, counselors, and librarians), waives certification exam fees for first-time applicants in special education and bilingual programs, and prevents sanctions against educators who leave probationary contracts after the 45th day before school starts due to serious illness or spouse relocation. The bill directly impacts educators seeking certification and those on probationary contracts, while also directing the Texas Education Agency to cover exam fees for qualifying applicants. These changes aim to reduce financial barriers and provide clearer protections for educators during employment transitions.

Maddy summarySB 1877 expands the Office of Public Utility Counsel's (OPUC) authority to access specific electricity market data from the Public Utility Commission, the ERCOT-certified organization, and electric utilities. The bill directly affects residential and small commercial electricity consumers by giving OPUC new data on reliability, generation resource adequacy, transmission planning, and system resiliency to better advocate for them. Key provisions require utilities and regulators to provide this data upon OPUC request, strengthening its ability to represent consumer interests in rate cases and disputes. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill would replace Texas' single Insurance Commissioner position with a three-member Commission. It requires the governor to appoint three members with specific expertise in insurance regulation, administration, and consumer advocacy. The Commission would serve as the department's governing body, with a presiding officer appointed by the governor for a two-year term. These changes would directly affect how the Texas Department of Insurance is administered and regulated.