Sen. Angela Paxton

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 612), not a policy bill. It honors Barbara Leonard Hayes, a Sherman resident who passed away on April 6, 2025, at age 87, by commemorating her life and legacy. The resolution recognizes her career as an educator, flight attendant, realtor, and community volunteer; her family, including her three children and grandchildren; and her service to civic organizations. It was adopted by the Texas Senate on May 31, 2025, to extend condolences to her family and formally memorialize her contributions. As a resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 621) commending Nick Escue for his work as a legislative aide and policy specialist in State Senator Roland Gutierrez's office during the 89th Texas Legislature. It formally recognizes Escue's contributions, including supporting committees, drafting amendments, and his background as an Eagle Scout and student. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy - it serves solely as a formal expression of appreciation from the Texas Senate.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 19 authorizes the State Preservation Board to approve construction of a replica of the "National Life Monument" (a bronze sculpture depicting a mother with an unborn child in a world-shaped womb) at the Texas State Capitol Complex. The resolution specifies the monument must be placed outside historic Capitol grounds, require private funding, and comply with existing size, design, and procedural rules under Chapter 443 of the Government Code. It directly affects the State Preservation Board, which must follow statutory requirements when reviewing the project. This is a procedural resolution (not a law) that formally enables the monument's placement without creating new legal obligations.

Maddy summarySB 207 allows public school students in Texas to be excused from school for mental health care appointments with licensed professionals, provided they return to school on the same day. It directly affects public school districts, requiring them to excuse these absences under Section 25.087(b)(2) of the Education Code. The key provision mandates that students must attend the appointment and return to school the same day, with no requirement for prior parental notification beyond standard health care appointment documentation. The bill applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 695 returns Senate Bill 293 to the House of Representatives for further consideration. The resolution specifies that the Senate concurs in all House amendments except Section 23 (which the Senate ruled non-germane), and instead proposes substituting Section 20 of the Senate version - which modifies how judicial retirement annuities are calculated for judges retiring before September 1, 2025. The resolution requests the House adopt this change to finalize the bill. This procedural step resolves a disagreement over one section of the bill before it advances to final passage.

Maddy summarySB 402 allows Texas property owners to request that their ad valorem (property) tax refunds be mailed to a different address than the one listed on the appraisal roll. Property owners must submit a written request using a form provided by the comptroller before the refund is issued, and the tax collector must then send the refund to the requested address. The bill requires the form to include a warning about penalties for false statements under Texas law. This change applies only to requests filed on or after September 1, 2025, with older requests following prior rules.

Maddy summaryHB 3560 updates the definition of "facility" in Texas law to include mental health facilities and specific care providers under the employee misconduct registry. It adds new categories like facilities licensed under Chapters 555 and 577 of the Health and Safety Code, alongside existing types such as assisted living facilities, residential child-care centers, and home-based care providers under waiver programs. This change ensures all these facilities - directly affecting staff and patients in mental health and long-term care settings - are covered by the state’s employee misconduct registry. The bill amends licensing requirements for mental hospitals to include detailed application criteria for facility operators, physicians, and staff qualifications. It became law on May 29, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a split-payment option for local property taxes (ad valorem taxes) in Texas. Property owners can pay half their annual tax bill by December 1 (or by the first day of the next month if tax bills are mailed after November 30) and the remaining half by July 1 of the following year, without penalties or interest. The adjustment for mailed tax bills after November 30 ensures the first payment deadline aligns with when property owners actually receive their bills. This change applies to property taxes for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 451 requires Texas child welfare and juvenile justice systems to screen children in state custody or under juvenile probation for risk of commercial sexual exploitation. It mandates this screening using validated tools within 45 days of a child entering state conservatorship or before juvenile case dispositions, if age-appropriate or concerns exist. The screening must be conducted by the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit under the Texas Government Code. Implementation depends on legislative funding, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1844 allows property owners in annexed areas to request disannexation (removal from a city) if the municipality fails to provide water and wastewater services to those areas. The bill requires the city to act within 60 days of a valid petition; if it doesn’t, owners can sue in court to force disannexation and recover attorney fees. It specifically targets areas where service obligations under annexation agreements weren’t met, such as lack of connection to municipal water systems. The law, effective September 1, 2025, applies directly to property owners and municipalities in Texas.