Sen. Angela Paxton

Maddy summarySB 985 allows Texas counties to combine election precincts under specific conditions to avoid excessive election costs. It permits combining precincts with fewer than 500 registered voters (for counties under 1.2 million population) or between 500-750 voters (for counties with 250,000+ population), with a maximum of 10,000 voters per combined precinct. The bill requires that precinct combinations must not dilute voting strength or discourage participation by protected groups under federal Voting Rights Act. This applies to counties not using the countywide polling place program, primarily affecting local election officials and county commissioners courts.

Maddy summarySB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia causes, prevention, and treatment. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and research groups to expand dementia-related studies and create jobs. It establishes three committees to oversee funding and research priorities, with the program set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless renewed under Texas law. The bill directly affects Texas research institutions receiving grants and aims to improve dementia health outcomes for state residents. This legislation became law after being signed by the Governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2311 requires certain residential facilities licensed by Texas' Health and Human Services Commission to include specific components in their operational plans. These facilities, which care for children (like group homes), must now detail community engagement efforts with local law enforcement and resources, educational arrangements for children (including school partnerships), trauma-informed strategies for absences, suicide prevention protocols, and staff qualification details. The bill mandates written agreements with schools and summaries of community interactions to improve transparency and care coordination. These requirements apply to new applicants and existing operations updating their plans, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2000, titled "Audrii's Law," amends Texas law to require sex offender registration for individuals convicted of certain child grooming offenses. Specifically, it adds Section 43.021 (Solicitation of Prostitution) of the Penal Code to the list of offenses triggering registration, but only when the offense is punishable as a second-degree felony. This change directly affects people convicted of soliciting minors for sexual purposes under this specific statute. The law expands existing registration requirements to cover these grooming-related acts, aligning them with other serious sexual offenses. It became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 24, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 511 prohibits state and local government employees from distributing voter registration forms to people who did not request them. It also bans using public funds to help others distribute such forms. Political parties and candidates may still distribute these forms unsolicited, but government employees violating these rules face a Class A misdemeanor charge. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2880, titled the Women and Child Protection Act, creates a new legal framework for regulating abortion-inducing drugs in Texas. It authorizes private civil lawsuits against individuals or entities that distribute abortion-inducing drugs for elective abortions, while explicitly exempting internet service providers, search engines, and cloud service providers from liability. The bill defines key terms like "elective abortion" (an abortion not performed in response to a medical emergency) and "abortion-inducing drug" to clarify the scope of liability. It establishes Chapter 171A in the Health and Safety Code to enforce these provisions and harmonize related laws. The legislation directly affects distributors of abortion-inducing drugs and those providing information about them online, with potential civil liability for violating its provisions.

Maddy summarySB 2794 amends Texas Penal Code sections to clarify the criminal offense of interfering with child custody. It specifically targets noncustodial parents who knowingly entice or persuade a child under 18 to leave the custody of the custodial parent or guardian. The bill establishes a Class C misdemeanor penalty ($500 fine) for first offenses, but elevates it to a state jail felony if the person has two prior convictions under this law or entices the child to leave the state. This bill applies only to offenses occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1731 establishes Texas' participation in the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, allowing PAs licensed in Texas to practice in other participating states without additional licensing. The bill authorizes a fee to cover administrative costs of the compact and creates a system for mutual recognition of licenses. Key provisions require PAs to follow the laws of the state where the patient is located during care, and states participating in the compact retain authority to take adverse action against a PA's license. This directly affects physician assistants seeking to practice across state lines, including military families who can now more easily obtain licenses based on an existing good-standing license.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (SR 530) honoring Gerald Todd Wimpee, a Texas resident who advocated for disability rights and worked 27 years at a Papa John's location (noting him as the company's longest-serving Texas employee). The resolution expresses the Texas Senate's condolences to his family and recognizes his life, including his work with Berry Family Services and his career in retail. It does not create any new laws or policies, but formally pays tribute to his memory and advocacy.

Maddy summarySJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Texas school district property tax exemptions for elderly or disabled homeowners. Currently, the exemption for these residents is $10,000; this bill would raise it to $60,000 of a home's market value. The amendment would allow the legislature to adjust this exemption amount, with provisions ensuring eligible individuals (65+ or disabled) cannot receive both the basic exemption and this enhanced benefit. It directly affects Texas homeowners aged 65 or older or with disabilities who own their primary residence. The bill requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.