Sen. Kelly Hancock

Maddy summaryThis Texas Senate Resolution (SR 320) formally recognizes the opening of the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington on March 25, 2025. It expresses the Texas Senate’s gratitude to Medal of Honor recipients, specifically highlighting nine living Texas residents who have received this military honor. The resolution has no policy or funding impact - it is purely a ceremonial tribute to honor the bravery of these service members and commemorate the museum’s opening coinciding with National Medal of Honor Day.

Maddy summarySB 2451 creates a grant program for Texas local law enforcement agencies to test substances suspected of containing THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) above 0.3% concentration. Agencies must have qualified peace officers and a written agreement with state attorneys to evaluate evidence for potential prosecution before receiving funds. Grants can only pay third-party labs to conduct THC testing, not cover other costs. Recipients must report details like the number of tests, substances tested, costs, and case outcomes to the criminal justice division. The program requires annual reporting to the state and includes data aggregation by region in the division's biennial report.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 265) symbolically recognizes March 21, 2025, as World Down Syndrome Day in Texas. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or groups, as it is a ceremonial gesture acknowledging the United Nations-designated day. The resolution encourages Texans to support inclusion for people with Down syndrome, referencing medical advances and societal progress. It formally declares the Senate’s recognition of this day at the State Capitol, aligning Texas with global observances.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 285) formally recognizes the opening of the Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home in Fort Worth on March 22, 2025. The resolution names the facility in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen - World War II's first all-Black military flying unit - and acknowledges their legacy of service and breaking racial barriers. It does not create new policy or funding but commemorates the home's dedication to providing skilled nursing care, memory support, and therapeutic programs for 120 veterans. The resolution is purely ceremonial, celebrating the facility's opening and its tribute to the Airmen's historical significance.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 266) passed by the Texas Senate in March 2025 to formally congratulate the Texas Rangers baseball team for winning the 2023 Major League Baseball World Series championship. The resolution recognizes the team's playoff journey, including their victory over the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series and their five-game World Series win against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It directly honors the Rangers' players, coaches, and staff, expressing the Senate's pride in the team's historic championship after 62 seasons. As a symbolic gesture with no policy or funding impact, it has no legal effect beyond extending public recognition.

Maddy summarySB 2038 creates a new "farm winery permit" for Texas wineries producing at least 75% of their wine from locally grown grapes or fruit, bottled in-state. Permit holders can operate up to five off-premise locations to sell wine for on-site consumption and sell sealed containers to customers off-site, capped at 250,000 gallons annually. The bill authorizes a $500 annual fee per permit, with half deposited into the general revenue fund and half funding a dedicated "farm winery marketing assistance fund" for industry promotion. This bill directly affects Texas winery owners meeting specific production and sourcing criteria, expanding their sales options under defined limits. The legislation is currently pending in the State Affairs committee.

Maddy summarySB 2040 establishes the Texas Adoption Assistance Program to help adoptive parents cover adoption-related costs. It provides income-based reimbursement (ranging from 10% to 50% of expenses) for adoptive parents who adopt children under 18 who were previously in Texas foster care, reside in Texas, and meet income limits ($250,000 annual household income max). The program covers legal fees and other adoption expenses, with higher reimbursement rates for lower-income families. This directly affects adoptive parents of foster children who qualify under the specified income and residency criteria. The bill aims to encourage adoptions by reducing financial barriers for qualifying families.

Maddy summarySB 2042 modifies Texas excavation notification rules to require excavators to notify a central system 14 business days before work begins (or within 48 hours prior, excluding weekends/holidays). It defines "Class A underground facilities" as those carrying electricity, gas, oil, steam, telecom services, or other liquids, which must be marked by utility operators. The bill mandates that utility operators mark these facilities within 48 hours of notification or notify excavators in writing if they won’t mark them. This replaces prior time frames and repeals two existing sections of the Utilities Code, taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 258 is a commemorative measure honoring the late U.S. Congressman Sylvester Turner of Houston, who died on March 5, 2025. The resolution recognizes his career as a Texas state legislator, mayor of Houston, and U.S. Congressman, highlighting his dedication to public service in Houston's Acres Homes neighborhood and his work on health care, education, and community resilience. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups, as it is a symbolic tribute to his legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows student athletes at Texas public universities to earn compensation for using their name, image, or likeness (NIL) during non-team activities, such as social media posts or endorsements. It requires athletes to disclose NIL contracts to their school and prohibits agreements that conflict with team contracts, pay for athletic performance, or promote banned items like tobacco, gambling, or alcohol. The law clarifies that student athletes remain non-employees of their institutions solely due to athletic participation. It directly affects student athletes in Texas public higher education athletic programs covered by the amended Education Code.