Maddy summarySB 1842 amends Texas Education Code to allow school districts and charter schools to use credit unions (as defined) as depositories for public funds, expanding the previous requirement that funds must be held in a bank. The bill defines "credit union" to include those insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund and requires that any depository contract with a credit union meets this standard. It updates sections of the code to ensure funds are managed properly, including allowing charter schools to deposit funds into credit unions and requiring written contracts for such arrangements. This change provides school districts with more financial institution options for holding public funds while maintaining oversight requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 1751 amends Texas law to clarify which state agencies can collect licensing information about day-care employees. It specifically adds eight agencies - including the Department of State Health Services, Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, and Texas Board of Nursing - to the definition of "licensing authority." This change ensures these agencies can legally gather required licensing details for day-care staff. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects day-care employees and the listed state agencies.
Maddy summarySJR 66 proposes a constitutional amendment to dedicate specific tax revenues to Texas' water fund. It would require the state comptroller to deposit excess sales tax revenue (above $46.5 billion annually, capped at $500 million) and the first $500 million of insurance premium tax revenue into the Texas Water Fund each year. The amendment mandates that 25% of initial fund allocations and 80% of pre-2043 deposits go exclusively to the "New Water Supply for Texas Fund," which supports water infrastructure projects. This proposal expires August 31, 2043, and requires voter approval in the November 2025 election. It directly affects how Texas allocates tax revenue for water infrastructure planning and development.
Maddy summarySB 1609 establishes Texas's participation in the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, enabling physician assistants licensed in Texas to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. Under the compact, a physician assistant must be licensed in the state where the patient is located during a medical encounter, and the agreement includes mutual recognition of licenses and procedures for handling adverse actions like license suspensions. The bill authorizes a fee to cover the administrative costs of maintaining the compact. This directly affects physician assistants seeking cross-state practice, particularly benefiting military families who can maintain licensure when relocating without reapplying.
Maddy summarySB 1613 reduces the percentage of students eligible for gifted and talented program funding under Texas's Foundation School Program from 10% to 5% of a school district's average daily attendance. This change directly affects Texas public school districts receiving state funding for gifted and talented education. The bill amends the Education Code to implement this lower eligibility cap, limiting the number of students who qualify for the allotment. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis Texas concurrent resolution (SCR 28) urges Congress to propose a constitutional amendment clarifying that states and Congress may regulate money spent to influence elections, ballot measures, or campaigns - including the ability to distinguish between individual voters and entities like corporations or unions. It does not create new laws but seeks to establish constitutional authority for future campaign finance regulations. The resolution is a procedural step to encourage federal action, not a direct policy change.
Maddy summarySB 1557 creates a "General Mobility Program" allowing municipalities within regional transportation authorities to use up to 25% of local sales and use tax revenue for transportation improvements. The program funds projects like sidewalks, bike trails, streetlights, traffic signals, and drainage work related to roads. Municipalities must agree with their subregional board, submit annual project lists, and receive funds in two installments (50% upfront and 50% reimbursed by year-end). Unused funds must be applied toward paying down debt secured by a 1% sales tax rate. This bill directly affects municipalities in regional transportation authorities with subregional boards.
Maddy summarySB 1425 extends the period that qualifying cities can receive hotel tax revenue from 10 to 20 years after a new hotel opens. It requires cities to repay the state if they received more tax revenue than the state collected during the transition period (from year 10 to 20 for standard cities, or year 20 to 40 for cities meeting specific criteria under Section 351.152(46)). The bill amends Texas Tax Code sections to establish these extended entitlement periods and repayment mechanisms. This directly affects cities designated as qualifying under the tax code’s provisions for hotel and convention center projects.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SR 194) designates March 4-5, 2025, as "Hunt County Days" at the Texas State Capitol. It formally recognizes a visit by Hunt County residents and the Greenville Chamber of Commerce delegation to Austin during those dates, extending a welcome to celebrate the county’s history and contributions. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial recognition of the county’s cultural and community efforts.
Maddy summarySB 941 requires Texas child welfare and juvenile justice systems to screen children for risk of commercial sexual exploitation. Specifically, it mandates that children entering state conservatorship (foster care) receive a screening using a validated tool within 45 days, and juvenile probation departments must include this screening in risk assessments before case dispositions. Both screenings must use a tool selected by the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit under Government Code Section 772.0062. The bill affects children in state care and those under juvenile probation supervision, taking effect September 1, 2025.