Sen. Carol Alvarado

Maddy summarySB 485 requires landlords of multiunit housing complexes (where at least one resident is elderly, disabled, or a child) to take specific steps during disasters. Landlords must implement reasonable safety precautions, train staff to assist vulnerable residents, provide clear evacuation instructions and danger alerts, and not abandon the complex unless a mandatory evacuation order is issued. Residents who suffer harm due to a landlord’s failure to meet these duties can sue for damages. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not override existing landlord responsibilities under other laws.

Maddy summarySB 163 amends Texas Education Code to change how full-day prekindergarten programs are funded under the Foundation School Program. It requires districts operating full-day preK to provide at least 32,400 minutes of annual instructional time to qualify for full average daily attendance credit (matching K-12 funding rules), instead of half-credit for half-day programs. This directly affects public school districts and charter schools offering preK programs by determining their state funding eligibility. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, aligning preK attendance calculations with K-12 standards for funding purposes.

Maddy summarySB 348 expands medical consent rights for certain minors under Texas law. It allows unmarried minors aged 16 or older who live independently (and manage their own finances) to consent to pregnancy-related care, including postpartum treatment, and contraception-related medical treatment (excluding abortion). The bill also permits minors who are parents to consent to medical care for their children, and minors in state custody facilities to consent to treatment (with specific exceptions). These provisions directly affect minors meeting the defined criteria, enabling them to make certain health decisions without parental involvement.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new constitutional right to the Texas Constitution, guaranteeing all Texas residents the right to be free from government interference in their private lives. It would amend Article I, Section 37 to state that individuals have this right "except as otherwise provided by this constitution," while explicitly preserving existing rights to access public meetings and records. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election, with the ballot phrasing "The constitutional amendment establishing the right to be free from governmental intrusion or interference into an individual's private life." This is a procedural proposal for a constitutional change, not an immediate law.

Maddy summarySB 150 prohibits discrimination in Texas public accommodations (businesses serving the public) based on race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or military veteran status. It bans refusing service, discriminatory communications, or advertising that denies equal access to these protected groups. The bill authorizes civil penalties for violations and establishes a process for individuals to file complaints with the Texas Workforce Commission. This directly affects businesses operating as public accommodations and individuals seeking services or goods.

Maddy summarySB 257 creates an exception to Texas' abortion ban for pregnancies resulting from sexual assault as defined in specific Penal Code sections (22.011, 22.021, and 25.02). It removes requirements for victims to file police reports, provide forensic evidence, or pursue prosecution to access this exception. The bill repeals Chapter 6-1/2 of the Revised Statutes, which was the main state law prohibiting most abortions. This exception applies only to cases meeting the sexual assault criteria and does not change other abortion laws or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 350 requires Texas healthcare providers to prioritize a pregnant person's health over the fetus's health when recommending medical treatments, regardless of fetal risk. It ensures pregnant individuals retain full rights to accept or refuse care after providing informed consent. Violations could result in administrative penalties similar to other licensing violations. The bill would take effect September 1, 2025, unless passed as an immediate law with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summarySJR 16 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow casino gaming at seven destination resorts in specific Texas metropolitan areas (Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and McAllen) and to create the Texas Gaming Commission for regulation. The amendment requires casinos to obtain licenses and pay taxes on gaming and sports betting, with revenue directed toward education and public safety programs. It also aims to support the horse racing industry by permitting existing horse racing betting licenses to be used for destination resort development. The proposal must be approved by Texas voters in a statewide election to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 561 creates an Office of Environmental Justice within Texas' Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to address pollution concerns in vulnerable communities. It defines "environmental justice communities" as areas where 30%+ of residents live below 200% of the federal poverty level or 50%+ are racial/ethnic minorities. The office must review permit applications for facilities within three miles of such communities, assessing cumulative pollution impacts and existing vulnerabilities like high asthma rates, cancer prevalence, limited healthcare access, and current pollution levels. This requirement applies to permits for facilities regulated under specific health and safety codes.

Maddy summarySB 489 requires businesses seeking property tax relief for school district maintenance to provide child care benefits for employees. Specifically, it mandates that applicants must either offer on-site licensed child care or pay at least 50% of employee child care costs for full-time workers at the project site. This requirement applies to businesses eligible for a property tax limitation under Texas law, directly affecting employers pursuing this tax benefit. The bill amends existing law to add this child care provision while maintaining other existing requirements like health benefits and wage standards.