Sen. Angela Paxton

Maddy summarySB 2365 would require Texas public school districts and charter schools to adopt policies banning students from using personal wireless devices (like smartphones, tablets, or laptops not issued by the school) during class time. The bill allows exceptions for devices needed for individualized education programs (IEPs), documented medical needs, or health/safety requirements. School boards must implement these policies starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects all public school students in Texas during instructional periods, with limited exceptions for specific educational or safety needs.

Maddy summarySB 609 requires all Texas independent school districts, home-rule school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools to implement and follow legally mandated policies, not just adopt them. The bill amends the Education Code to clarify that when state law requires a school entity to adopt a policy (such as for student safety or staff conduct), it must also actively implement and enforce that policy. This applies to school boards, governing bodies, and school personnel across all covered districts and charter schools. The law aims to ensure compliance with existing legal requirements through active implementation, rather than merely having policies on file.

Maddy summarySJR 12 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a parent's right to direct their child's education in Texas. It would add Section 37 to the Texas Constitution, defining "parent" broadly to include natural parents, stepparents, adoptive parents, guardians, and legal custodians. The amendment guarantees specific rights: choosing public school options, selecting alternatives like private or homeschool, accessing school materials and records (including health records), and attending school meetings - without restriction based on disability. This is a procedural bill requiring voter approval in the November 2025 election.

Maddy summarySB 2313 requires health benefit plans covering prescription contraceptive devices (like IUDs or implants) to also cover evidence-based anxiety and pain management services specifically during the insertion or removal of those devices. This applies to all health plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The law directly affects health insurers and individuals using prescription contraceptives who need support managing discomfort or anxiety during device procedures. It does not change coverage for the contraceptives themselves but adds a new requirement for related care. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, with the coverage mandate starting in 2026.

Maddy summarySB 26 establishes new requirements for Texas public school districts and charter schools regarding teacher evaluation, compensation, and support. It creates an "enhanced teacher incentive allotment" designation for schools implementing performance-based evaluation systems, requiring them to use appraisals to determine teacher designations, offer performance-linked pay (without automatic raises), and place effective teachers at high-need campuses. The bill also creates a grant program to help districts expand local teacher designation systems and provides free liability insurance and rights assistance for classroom teachers through a contracted third party. These provisions directly affect school districts, charter schools, principals, instructional staff, and all public school teachers in Texas.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a binding law) expressing Texas's support for strengthening economic ties with Israel. It urges the creation of a Texas Trade and Investment Office in Jerusalem to foster business connections, particularly with countries in the Abraham Accords or peace agreements with Israel. The resolution reaffirms Texas's existing trade relationship with Israel - where Texas ranks among top U.S. states for exports - and directs officials to share the resolution with state, federal, and Israeli leaders. It does not create new programs or allocate funding, serving only as a formal statement of support.

Maddy summarySB 2283 adds a "SPECIAL FORCES VETERAN" designation to Texas handgun carry licenses for qualifying veterans. It directly affects veterans who served at least 12 consecutive months in specific U.S. Army Special Forces roles (e.g., detachment commander, weapons sergeant) at enlisted, warrant, or commissioned officer pay grades. The bill requires license applications to include space for veterans to list qualifying service and submit proof for the designation, and it mandates that licenses display this new designation when eligibility is confirmed. This change modifies existing license forms and definitions but does not alter eligibility requirements for handgun carry licenses.

Maddy summarySB 2421 requires manufacturers of tablets and smartphones made on or after January 1, 2026, to automatically enable a filter blocking obscene material when activating a device for a minor (under 18) during setup. The filter must prevent access to obscene content through browsers or search engines controlled by the manufacturer, and parents/guardians can manage it via a password. Manufacturers violating this face civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, while non-parents bypassing the filter for a minor may face criminal charges. The law directly affects device manufacturers and aims to protect minors from obscene material on newly activated devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits most businesses in Texas from selling, offering for sale, or holding for sale obscene devices (as legally defined in the Penal Code), with exceptions for sexually oriented businesses operating under existing Chapter 102 rules. It allows county or district attorneys to sue violators in district court to stop the sale and impose civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, plus reimbursement for investigation costs. The law directly affects retail businesses selling adult-oriented products, requiring compliance with the new restrictions unless operating as a licensed sexually oriented business. The bill takes effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, or on September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires online sellers of "obscene devices" to verify that buyers are at least 18 years old before completing a sale. Sellers must use one of three methods: checking government-issued photo ID, using third-party age verification services that access public records, or using payment methods restricted to adults (with additional verification). Violating this rule is a Class A misdemeanor and may result in a $5,000 civil penalty per violation. The law applies to online sales occurring on or after September 1, 2025.