Sen. Carol Alvarado

Maddy summarySB 43 exempts certain local water management districts from needing permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to build or maintain small dams and reservoirs. Specifically, it applies to "qualified local sponsors" (like districts created under Texas Constitution Article III or XVI) operating dams with normal storage under 200 acre-feet for erosion, floodwater, and sediment control. The bill allows these entities to construct, maintain, and divert water for repairs without TCEQ permits, while ensuring the exemption continues even if their federal USDA agreement ends. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality must adopt implementing rules by April 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Texas law regarding death investigations by allowing justices of the peace to skip inquests for deaths resulting from natural disasters, provided clear evidence shows the death was caused by disaster-related injuries and not unlawful acts. It directly affects local courts and families seeking death investigations in disaster-impacted areas. The key provision requires justices to verify disaster causation through clear evidence before waiving the inquest, with similar rules applying to autopsy certifications. The bill expires April 1, 2027, and applies to deaths occurring in the justice's county.

Maddy summarySB 72 repeals a provision (Section 247.073(j)) that would have allowed local governments in Texas to create their own emergency preparedness rules for assisted living facilities. The bill prevents cities or counties from setting separate requirements for these facilities' emergency plans, shifting authority entirely to the state. This directly affects assisted living facilities and local governments that previously could have established their own emergency protocols. The repeal takes effect on September 1, 2025, as specified in the original provision it replaces.

Maddy summarySB 53 establishes a regulatory framework for hemp-derived consumable products (including edibles and beverages) and the hemp-derived cannabinoids they contain. It requires businesses to obtain occupational licenses and permits, pay associated fees, and comply with new standards, with criminal penalties for violations and civil penalties authorized for non-compliance. The bill also imposes taxes on these products and sets a January 1, 2027, effective date for regulations overseen by a new state agency. This applies directly to businesses producing, selling, or distributing hemp-based consumable products in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 54 establishes comprehensive regulations for cannabis in Texas, creating new rules for businesses that cultivate, sell, or transport cannabis products. It requires occupational licenses for cannabis businesses, imposes taxes on cannabis products, and creates a process to expunge certain past cannabis-related records from criminal files. The bill also defines cannabis and cannabis beverages (excluding hemp products), sets restrictions on cannabis beverages (like no alcohol or caffeine), and creates new criminal penalties for violations. This legislation directly affects cannabis businesses, consumers, and individuals with prior convictions for decriminalized cannabis offenses.

Maddy summarySB 50 requires public schools in Texas to include evidence-based contraception instruction as part of human sexuality education starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates that this instruction must be based on guidelines from federal agencies or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, covering the real-world effectiveness and proper use of contraceptive methods like condoms, oral contraceptives, and long-acting reversible contraceptives. It does not change existing requirements emphasizing abstinence as the preferred choice for unmarried students. The law applies to all public school courses covering human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, or HIV/AIDS education.

Maddy summaryTexas SB 51 modifies abortion regulations by adding a new exception for pregnancies involving a "lethal fetal anomaly or diagnosis," requiring two physicians (a treating physician and one specializing in obstetrics/gynecology) to confirm the abortion is medically necessary. It establishes rules for "infant supportive palliative care" for infants born with lethal anomalies and mandates a multidisciplinary ethics committee review for abortions after 24 weeks based on this exception. The bill clarifies that existing abortion prohibitions still apply except for this specific medical exception, while explicitly stating that the law does not repeal other abortion-related statutes. It directly affects physicians performing abortions, patients with diagnosed fetal anomalies, and medical ethics committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would restrict when the Texas legislature can redraw election districts for both the Texas state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives. It would require redistricting to occur only during specific, defined timeframes: when the legislature is constitutionally required to act, or within a 120-day window after the federal census is released. Exceptions allow redistricting within one year if courts invalidate districts, but not during periods when the Legislative Redistricting Board has exclusive authority. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2026 election to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 34 creates a new exception to Texas abortion restrictions for pregnancies resulting from sexual assault, as defined in specific Penal Code sections (including aggravated sexual assault and offenses under Section 25.02). It specifies that patients do not need to file police reports, provide forensic evidence, or have the alleged assault prosecuted to access this exception. The bill also repeals Chapter 6-1/2, a law regulating abortion in Texas. These changes directly affect individuals seeking abortion care in cases of sexual assault and clarify that the exception does not alter other abortion laws or allow lawsuits against patients.

Maddy summarySB 26 creates a Texas state program to provide disaster recovery loans for small and micro-businesses affected by declared disasters. It establishes a dedicated recovery fund in the state budget and authorizes the state bank to offer zero-interest loans to community development financial institutions (CDFIs). These CDFIs then make interest-bearing loans to qualifying small businesses (20-100 employees) and micro-businesses that struggle to access capital after disasters. The bill requires at least 50% of program funds to support micro-businesses, with specific definitions and administration rules outlined in amended sections of the Texas Government Code.