Sen. Carol Alvarado

Maddy summarySB 708 amends Texas law to clarify the definition of "closing" for certain private activity bonds, specifically affecting issuers of bonds for qualified residential rental projects. The bill states that "closing" includes delivery of a bond in exchange for a partial payment (at least 10% of the required amount), but explicitly excludes cases where bond proceeds depend on obtaining credit enhancement (like additional financial backing). This change directly impacts local governments and developers using these bonds for affordable housing projects by defining when bond issuance is considered complete. The law aims to provide clear administrative guidance without altering the underlying bond program's requirements.

Maddy summarySB 787 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to report the number of student deaths occurring on each campus to the state through the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS). Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, schools must include this data in their annual reports, alongside other existing metrics like enrollment and attendance. The bill adds this specific reporting requirement to the Education Code without changing school safety protocols or investigation procedures. It ensures consistent statewide data collection on campus fatalities for accountability purposes.

Maddy summarySB 796 allows one 90-day extension for construction deadlines on concrete batch plants (facilities mixing concrete) under existing standard permits. It requires the executive director to notify local state senators and representatives when an extension request is made. The bill also mandates the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to adopt implementing rules by September 1, 2026. This law applies only to new permit applications filed on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), not to older applications.

Maddy summarySB 723 makes tier two chemical safety reports - lists of hazardous chemicals held by local governments - confidential by default under Texas public records law. It directly affects cities, counties, and other political subdivisions that maintain these reports. Local governments may only share such information with the public if either the state commission has already made it public or they disclose only the general class of dangerous goods (using a standard U.S. Department of Transportation classification). The bill prevents routine public access to detailed chemical lists while allowing limited disclosure under strict conditions. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 788 requires Texas school commissioners to take specific actions when a campus receives an "unacceptable" performance rating for five consecutive years. It mandates that the commissioner must appoint a board of managers, close the campus, or implement other authorized interventions (per Section 39A.002), replacing the previous discretionary "may" with a binding "shall." This directly affects school districts with persistently low-performing campuses, accelerating accountability measures. The bill takes effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote or September 1, 2025, if not.

Maddy summarySB 793 extends the prohibition on firearm possession for individuals convicted of certain family violence misdemeanors under Texas law. It applies specifically to those convicted of offenses involving family or household members (as defined in Texas Family Code sections 71.0021(b), 71.003, or 71.005) and prohibits firearm possession until the fifth anniversary of either their release from jail or completion of community supervision. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not apply to offenses committed before that date. This change directly affects people with prior family violence misdemeanor convictions who seek to legally possess firearms after their release.

Maddy summarySB 791 clarifies that public consumption of alcohol is prohibited in any location considered a "public place," including unlicensed or unpermitted premises like parks, streets, or private property open to the public. It expands the definition of "public place" under Texas' Alcoholic Beverage Code to cover all such areas, directly affecting individuals consuming alcohol in public spaces. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date, leaving pre-existing law in effect for prior violations.

Maddy summarySB 722 establishes a state grant program to fund mobile stroke units at designated stroke facilities in Texas. It provides financial assistance for capital costs like specialized vehicles, mobile CT scanners, and medical equipment needed to operate these units, which diagnose and treat stroke patients outside hospitals. Only stroke facilities with top-level (Level 1) state certification can apply for grants, and recipients must report annually on health outcomes. The program aims to improve stroke care access and outcomes by increasing mobile unit availability across the state.

Maddy summarySB 786 allows Texas school districts to use state career and technology education funds to reimburse private employers for paying students in 11th or 12th grade for work-based learning internships. The bill directly affects school districts, private employers, and career/tech students by creating a reimbursement system for paid internships that align with district education goals. Key provisions require internships to pay at least minimum wage, serve public education purposes, and allow districts to maintain oversight through contracts with community-based organizations. This policy change enables districts to expand hands-on career training opportunities using existing funding streams, with internships counting toward required practicum hours.

Maddy summarySB 792 amends Texas Penal Code Section 22.011(b) to clarify when sexual assault occurs "without consent." It adds 11 specific circumstances where consent is invalid, including when a victim is unconscious, physically unable to resist, intoxicated, or withdraws consent, and when perpetrators exploit power imbalances (e.g., as mental health providers, clergy, or facility employees). The bill directly affects prosecutors, courts, and defendants in sexual assault cases by defining clearer legal standards for consent. This change aims to strengthen prosecution standards for non-consensual sexual acts under Texas law.