Sen. Kelly Hancock

Maddy summarySB 2981 directs the Texas Commission to use interest earnings from the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan Fund to support recycling infrastructure projects that reduce emissions. If the fund earns at least $10 million in interest, $10 million is allocated; otherwise, the actual interest amount is used. This funding occurs through the Recycling Innovation Grant Program under Section 361.0155. The fund is financed by specific emissions-related tax deposits, including portions of the Transportation Code and Tax Code.

Maddy summarySB 2978 requires property insurance claimants to specify in their presuit notice the exact amount they will accept as full payment for property damage claims. If an insurer pays this amount within the required timeframe (as outlined in the Insurance Code), the claim is settled without further legal action. The bill applies only to claims where a lawsuit is filed on or after its effective date, which is September 1, 2025, unless it receives a two-thirds vote for immediate effect. This change modifies the presuit notice process to clarify settlement terms for property insurance disputes.

Maddy summarySB 2982 defines "renewable biomass" to include forest byproducts (like pre-commercial thinnings) and agricultural waste (such as crop residue, animal manure, and food waste), and "renewable chemicals" as products made from these feedstocks. The bill requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to identify third-party certification systems that track how much renewable biomass is used in production (mass balance attribution). This applies directly to chemical manufacturers in Texas producing renewable chemicals, ensuring transparency in their supply chains. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, after the commission adopts implementing rules.

Maddy summarySB 2984 requires electric cooperatives, utilities, and municipally owned utilities in Texas to submit detailed plans to the Public Utility Commission for managing and inspecting distribution poles (the poles carrying power lines). Each plan must outline the scope, staff roles, inspection processes, personnel training, and a budget, with the Commission having 180 days to approve or reject it. Utilities must submit their initial plans by January 1, 2026, and update them every three years to report compliance and costs. The bill directly affects all entities that distribute electricity to the public, aiming to standardize pole safety and maintenance practices.

Maddy summarySB 2546 creates a 10-member advisory work group to study how to fund Texas' electric transmission infrastructure development and maintenance. The group includes representatives from the Public Utility Commission, ERCOT, Texas legislature, consumer groups, renewable energy, oil/gas, and utility companies (including investor-owned, municipal, and cooperative utilities). It will examine specific funding options like utility fees, tax incentives, public-private partnerships, and legislative appropriations to ensure grid reliability, affordability, and sustainability. The work group must submit a report by December 2026, but the bill itself does not enact any funding changes - only studies potential solutions.

Maddy summarySB 2578 modifies Texas nursing facility licensing and Medicaid contracting rules to streamline processes and ensure continuity of care. It requires contracts for medical assistance to meet federal Medicare standards (not stricter), ensures uninterrupted Medicaid payments during ownership transfers if new providers meet licensing requirements, and mandates contracts be issued within 30 days of temporary license approval. The bill also requires payments to nursing facilities within 30 days of contract effective dates and sets 30-day timelines for managed care organization credentialing. These changes directly affect nursing facilities receiving Medicaid payments and their ability to transition ownership without payment disruptions.

Maddy summarySB 2691 requires Texas public school districts to include grief education in the health curriculum for students in grades 8 through 12, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates that instruction cover grade-appropriate content on the physical/emotional symptoms of grief, coping techniques for processing loss, and available resources like school support services and mental health crisis lines. The State Board of Education will develop specific knowledge and skills standards for this curriculum. This policy directly affects all Texas public high school students in those grades, integrating grief education into existing health classes without altering current curriculum structures.

Maddy summarySB 2579 creates a new criminal offense for healthcare and insurance fraud, targeting individuals or entities that make false claims to obtain payments or benefits. It authorizes civil fines of $5,500-$15,000 per violation, with higher penalties for cases involving elderly individuals, people with disabilities, or minors. The bill also requires the Office of Inspector General to coordinate fraud detection efforts with the Texas Department of Insurance and mandates audits of state/federal funds administered by healthcare providers. These provisions aim to prevent financial harm to vulnerable populations and improve accountability in healthcare funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (SR 352) recognizing April 2, 2025, as Texas Food Bank Day at the Texas State Capitol. It honors the Feeding Texas network, which operates 20 food banks serving all 254 Texas counties through partnerships with agencies like the Texas Department of Agriculture. The resolution specifically acknowledges their work distributing over 500 million pounds of surplus produce and providing nutrition assistance to low-income families. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally commends Feeding Texas for its hunger-relief efforts.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 359), not a legislative bill. It formally recognizes Halff, a Dallas-based infrastructure consulting firm, for its 75th anniversary. The resolution highlights Halff's history since 1950, its work on Texas infrastructure projects (including flood planning and the Mill Creek Tunnel), and its community initiatives. It does not create new law or affect any policies or individuals beyond expressing the Texas Senate's commendation.