Sen. Angela Paxton

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits cities, counties, and other local governments (political subdivisions) from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofit organizations that primarily represent local governments and hire lobbyists. It allows local officials to provide information to legislators, testify, or advocate for policy changes without triggering the restriction, and exempts associations representing sheriffs or law enforcement officers. Taxpayers can seek court orders to stop prohibited spending and recover public funds used in violation. The law aims to limit the use of public money for lobbying activities while preserving basic communication with lawmakers.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 6 regulates consumable hemp products (like edibles, vape liquids, and topicals containing hemp-derived cannabinoids such as CBD) by requiring businesses to obtain occupational licenses and registrations. It imposes fees for these licenses, creates criminal penalties for violations, and authorizes administrative fines for noncompliance. The law specifically applies to products intended for human ingestion, absorption, or inhalation, while excluding low-THC cannabis, research activities, and certain food ingredients like hemp seed oil. Businesses manufacturing or selling these products must comply with the new licensing and fee structure under the Health and Safety Code.

Maddy summarySB 4 is a redistricting bill that redraws the boundaries for Texas's congressional districts used in U.S. House elections. It directly affects Texas voters by determining which geographic areas elect their representatives in Congress starting with the 2026 election cycle. The bill establishes a new map for all 38 Texas congressional districts based on the latest census data, replacing the current district lines. This is a procedural change to the electoral map, not a policy affecting daily life or government programs.

Maddy summarySB 7 creates civil liability for manufacturers and providers of abortion-inducing drugs, with key exemptions for medical emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and spontaneous miscarriages. It allows private citizens to file lawsuits (qui tam actions) seeking damages against those supplying such drugs, while modifying fee-shifting rules in abortion litigation. The bill also grants the Texas attorney general expanded authority to pursue cases under the "Woman and Child Protection Act" and alters jurisdiction for related court cases. It does not restrict medical procedures covered by the specified exemptions.

Maddy summarySB 38 allows unincorporated areas located within or within 1,000 feet of a federally designated special flood hazard area (land with at least a 1% annual flood risk) to incorporate as Type C general-law municipalities. To incorporate, residents and landowners must submit a signed petition meeting specific territorial requirements and including a proposed flood preparedness ordinance. The bill mandates that newly incorporated municipalities adopt a flood preparedness ordinance within 90 days of incorporation, requiring compliance with federal flood standards, establishing a flood mitigation administrator, and tying building permits for new structures to flood regulations. This bill directly affects residents and property owners in flood-prone rural areas seeking municipal services and flood preparedness planning.

Maddy summarySB 35 amends Texas law to criminalize noncustodial parents who knowingly entice or persuade a child under 18 to leave the custody of the custodial parent or guardian. The offense is typically a Class C misdemeanor (with a $500 fine), but becomes a state jail felony if the parent has two prior convictions for this offense or if the child is enticed to leave the state. The law applies only to offenses committed after its effective date (91 days after the legislative session ends), not retroactively. This bill directly affects noncustodial parents involved in custody disputes who interfere with a child’s lawful custody arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local governments within regional transportation authorities to use up to 25% of their annual sales tax revenue for local mobility projects. It directly affects cities and counties that are part of these regional authorities, enabling them to fund sidewalks, trails, streetlights, traffic signals, and drainage improvements. Funds must be distributed with 50% provided at the start of the fiscal year and 50% reimbursed later, with unused funds required to pay down debt secured by a 1% sales tax. The bill creates a formal process for local units to allocate transportation funds while maintaining regional oversight.

Maddy summarySB 37 requires Texas public schools to provide age-appropriate, medically accurate fetal development instruction to students in grades 7 and 8 as part of the health curriculum. The bill mandates specific content, including the human reproductive process, pregnancy, infertility prevention, birth defect prevention (covering drug/alcohol effects and environmental hazards), and trimester-by-trimester fetal growth descriptions. It does not apply to other grade levels unless the State Board of Education adopts additional rules. The instruction must be integrated into the existing health curriculum framework under state education standards. This policy directly affects Texas public school districts and health educators in grades 7-8.

Maddy summarySB 9 proposes changes to Texas public school accountability systems. It requires the Texas Education Agency to create a single-click website for parents to access their child’s state assessment results immediately after testing. The bill mandates a new "instructionally supportive assessment program" focused on progress monitoring and balanced testing, replacing punitive rating systems. It also establishes a grant program for school districts to develop local accountability plans and outlines procedures for challenging TEA decisions related to school ratings. The bill directly affects parents, public schools, and the Texas Education Agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas' commissioner of state health services to issue a statewide order allowing licensed pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without a prescription. It mandates standardized protocols for pharmacists, requires patient instructions on proper use, and protects pharmacists from criminal, civil, or disciplinary liability when following the order. Pharmacists must also submit annual reports to the state on dispensing volumes. The bill directly affects Texas pharmacists and patients seeking ivermectin without a prescription.