Sen. Carol Alvarado

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes written protocols allowing pharmacists to provide certain nonprescription drugs (like prenatal vitamins) to Medicaid recipients during pregnancy, preconception, and postpartum periods without a prescription. It requires medical directors to create protocols including pharmacy instructions, eligible recipient groups, and contraindications, with protocols expiring annually. The bill grants civil liability immunity to medical directors, healthcare providers, pharmacists, and pharmacy staff who follow these protocols correctly. It directly affects Medicaid recipients seeking pregnancy-related preventive care and healthcare providers working within Texas Medicaid.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes March 4, 2025, as Texas Southern University Day at the Texas State Capitol. It honors Texas Southern University's role as a historically Black institution founded in 1927, highlighting its educational contributions, student enrollment (approximately 8,700), and community impact. The resolution directly affects Texas Southern University and its community by extending official recognition through a formal Senate gesture, with a copy provided to the university.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 199) formally recognizes March 4, 2025, as "Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It acknowledges the fraternity's founding in 1906 as the first African American Greek-letter organization, its history of civic engagement, and notable members like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The resolution serves as a ceremonial tribute with no policy or financial impact, offering the fraternity an official copy as a symbol of the Texas Senate's recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 201) honors the late Reverend William A. Lawson, a Houston civil rights leader who died in May 2024 at age 95. It commemorates his lifelong work founding Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, connecting with Martin Luther King Jr., leading Houston's SCLC chapter for over 30 years, and advocating against racism and homelessness. The Texas Senate passed the resolution on March 4, 2025, to pay tribute to his legacy and extend condolences to his family. As a memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents.

Maddy summarySB 1179 requires facilities that store or distribute benzene or other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to install advanced emission control devices like thermal oxidizers and carbon absorption systems. It mandates continuous air quality monitoring in communities adjacent to these facilities, with real-time public data sharing, and establishes strict inspection schedules (quarterly visual checks, annual emissions testing). Facilities must immediately repair issues like leaks or damaged seals, and the commission will conduct quarterly compliance audits. Violations are punishable under Water Code penalties, with collected fines funding environmental remediation.

Maddy summarySB 1175 requires Texas towing companies to adjust certain fees and maximum charges for private property tows every odd-numbered year based on changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The bill specifically applies to fees for towing light-duty vehicles (under 10,000 lbs), medium-duty vehicles (10,000-25,000 lbs), and heavy-duty vehicles (over 25,000 lbs). Adjustments are calculated by multiplying the previous year’s fee by the CPI change percentage during the prior state fiscal biennium. The Texas Commission must publish updated fees online and set effective dates (January 1 following rule adoption), with decreases taking effect immediately but increases allowing towing companies flexibility to implement after the effective date.

Maddy summarySB 1182 bans the sale or transfer of flavored cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products with distinguishable tastes or aromas beyond tobacco, including flavors like fruit, candy, chocolate, mint, and menthol. It directly affects retailers and manufacturers selling these products in Texas. The bill creates a rebuttable presumption that a product is flavored if its marketing claims or packaging suggests non-tobacco tastes. Enforcement follows existing health code disciplinary procedures for violations. This legislation targets the specific flavors most commonly marketed to youth, aiming to reduce underage access to flavored nicotine products.

Maddy summarySB 1308 requires electric cooperatives, municipally owned utilities, and transmission/distribution utilities in the ERCOT power region to create communication plans for use during weather emergencies. The plan must establish a priority telephone hotline for critical care residential customers, critical load industrial customers, specific facilities listed in law, and customers designated as critical by the commission. It also mandates that utilities describe how they will inform these priority customers about the hotline. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1309 requires Texas electric utilities (retail providers, municipal utilities, and cooperatives) to include specific information about emergency power procedures in customer bills at least quarterly. The notice must explain how power might be cut off during emergencies (involuntary load shedding), which customers qualify as critical (e.g., healthcare facilities or essential services), and how to apply for critical status. It also provides guidance on reducing electricity use during potential outages. This applies to all retail electric customers in Texas and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1176 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to hold a public comment period for certain air permit modifications when a state legislator from the facility's area requests it. This applies only to permit changes that do not allow more pollution or introduce new types of air pollution. The commission must then follow established procedures to gather public input under this new rule. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not apply to permits filed before that date.