Sen. Carol Alvarado

Maddy summarySB 789 amends Texas Water Code to clarify eligibility for direct grants from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). It restricts direct grant awards to: (1) Texas or other state agencies, (2) Texas or other state universities, (3) U.S. federal agencies, or (4) nonprofits funding specific estuary projects under federal water pollution law (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.) for Texas national estuaries. The bill requires the TCEQ executive director to determine that direct awards are necessary (due to infeasible proposal solicitation) and in the state’s best interest. This change takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 794 creates a new method for selecting contractors on Texas state highway projects. It requires the Texas Department of Transportation to separately hire an engineer for design work and then select a construction manager who serves as the general contractor, assuming construction risk at a fixed price. The construction manager must provide pre-construction consultation on scheduling, pricing, and risk mitigation. This method replaces traditional procurement rules for transportation projects, with the department required to adopt selection criteria and rules for the process.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 19) formally recognizes February 4, 2025, as "Houston East End Chamber of Commerce East End Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It honors the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce for its work promoting economic development, supporting businesses, and providing scholarships in the East End community since 1991. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply commemorates the chamber's annual event at the Capitol. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not affect laws, budgets, or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 361 amends Texas Labor Code sections to prohibit employment discrimination based on "reproductive decisions," including decisions about pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical care. It directly affects employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations by banning discriminatory actions like refusal to hire, firing, or limiting opportunities due to such decisions. The bill also prohibits employment agreements that restrict an employee's reproductive choices. These changes add "reproductive decisions" to existing protected categories like race, sex, and disability under Texas anti-discrimination law. The legislation aims to expand workplace protections without specifying particular reproductive health services.

Maddy summarySB 161 requires lobbyists in Texas to submit proof of completing two specific trainings when registering: sexual harassment prevention training and ethics training, both completed within the previous two years. This applies directly to individuals registering as lobbyists under Texas law. The bill adds new requirements to the registration form (Section 305.005(f)) and creates new sections mandating these trainings every two years (Sections 305.0052 and 305.0053). The Texas Ethics Commission must adopt implementing rules by December 1, 2025, and the new requirements take effect for registrations filed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 145 would allow any qualified Texas voter to request a ballot by mail without restrictions. It removes a prior requirement that voters in the address confidentiality program (for safety reasons) must submit mail-in voting applications in person. The bill also repeals criminal penalties for soliciting or distributing mail-in voting application forms. These changes make mail-in voting more accessible and simplify the process for voters. The bill is currently in committee referral after being filed in early 2025.

Maddy summarySB 147 requires Texas counties to establish polling places on the main campuses of public institutions of higher education within their borders if those institutions enroll at least 5,000 students. Specifically, counties must designate one polling place for campuses with 5,000-9,999 students, two places for 10,000-19,999 students, and one additional place for every 10,000 students beyond 10,000. The bill applies to all public colleges and universities meeting these enrollment thresholds located in the county. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 484 requires manufacturers and retailers of portable generators sold in Texas to place clear warning labels on generators without carbon-monoxide kill switches. These labels must inform consumers about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and provide safe operation instructions. Manufacturers or retailers who fail to comply face civil lawsuits for injuries or deaths caused by the lack of warnings, including compensation for damages and legal fees. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, and applies only to incidents occurring after that date.

Maddy summarySB 146 would require Texas county voter registrars to automatically register naturalized U.S. citizens who reside in the county to vote upon receiving a certificate of naturalization. The bill establishes a system where the Texas Department of Public Safety coordinates with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to notify registrars of new naturalizations, enabling automatic voter registration without requiring separate applications. If USCIS fails to notify the state, naturalized citizens can present their certificate directly to the registrar for registration assistance. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and aims to streamline voter access for newly naturalized citizens.

Maddy summarySB 148 repeals Section 43.007(i) of the Texas Election Code, which governed how counties participate in the countywide polling place program. This change removes a specific provision related to county operations under that program. The bill would take effect immediately if passed by two-thirds vote, or on September 1, 2025, if not.