Sen. Kelly Hancock

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas to create a property tax exemption for surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected conditions. Specifically, it would authorize the legislature to exempt all or part of the market value of a surviving spouse's primary home (homestead) from ad valorem taxes, provided the veteran died from a condition presumed service-connected under federal law and the spouse has not remarried. If a spouse moves to a new homestead, they could retain the same tax exemption amount as their previous home. The amendment requires voter approval in November 2025 and would take effect January 1, 2026, if approved.

Maddy summaryHB 2703 designates the month of July as "American Patriotism Month" in Texas, with no direct impact on individuals or specific policies. The bill requires state agencies and citizens to observe July through ceremonies and activities celebrating U.S. values, honoring historical figures (including Revolutionary War patriots, founding fathers, astronauts, civil rights leaders, and post-9/11 unity), and fostering national pride. It became law immediately upon the governor's signature on May 28, 2025, with no funding or regulatory changes. This is a symbolic designation, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 587) celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Association of Water Board Directors-Texas (AWBD-TX), which represents water district professionals across Texas. It recognizes the association's founding in 1975 and its role in supporting water district operations, education, and advocacy for over 1,000 members including utility directors, consultants, and vendors. The resolution has no legislative effect - it simply expresses the Texas Senate’s appreciation through formal congratulations and a copy for the association. This is a standard recognition resolution, not a policy change.

Maddy summarySB 2039 amends Texas traffic laws to require drivers to yield to sidewalk users - such as people operating bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or mobility devices - under the same right-of-way rules as pedestrians. The bill defines "sidewalk user" to include these devices and updates traffic code sections so drivers must stop for them in crosswalks and intersections at traffic signals. This affects all drivers navigating intersections and sidewalk users operating these devices across Texas. The law took effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2041 requires the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to consider five specific factors when selecting foster care placements for children in its conservatorship. These factors include choosing the least restrictive setting, the closest geographic location to the child's home, the placement's ability to meet the child's identified needs, the child's expressed preferences (when developmentally appropriate), and the placement's ability to support long-term stability. The bill directly affects children in foster care and DFPS decision-makers by mandating these criteria be used in placement decisions. It amends the Family Code to clarify these requirements, effective September 1, 2025. The law does not create new programs but specifies how existing placement decisions must be made.

Maddy summarySB 18 prohibits Texas municipal libraries from receiving state or public funds if they host events where a person presenting as the opposite gender (e.g., a man presenting as a woman or woman presenting as a man) reads to minors for entertainment, with the gender presentation being a primary component of the event. Libraries hosting such events would lose funding for the fiscal year following the event. The law applies only to events occurring on or after September 1, 2025, and affects municipal libraries receiving state or public funds. It directly targets funding for specific library programming involving gender presentation in children's events. The bill does not restrict library access or content generally, only funding tied to these defined events.

Maddy summarySB 2452 sets rules for compensating chief appraisers in Texas property appraisal districts. It prohibits linking their pay to increases in property values and bans using district funds to hire a general counsel. The bill requires that chief appraisers' compensation and staffing decisions be determined solely by the district's adopted budget. This affects local government officials managing property valuation for tax purposes.

Maddy summarySB 1962 restricts public school districts from seeking exemptions or waivers for specific educational requirements under Texas law. It prohibits waivers for rules covering criminal conduct, federal mandates (like special education programs), graduation standards, accountability measures, class size limits, student safety protocols, and teacher protections. The bill also establishes a new appeal process allowing schools to challenge Texas Education Agency decisions in Travis County district court. This directly affects all public schools and districts operating within Texas's accountability system by requiring strict adherence to these non-negotiable standards.

Maddy summarySB 2690 requires private companies or individuals soliciting business certification documents (like entity filings with the Texas Secretary of State) to clearly disclose they are not government entities. It mandates specific disclaimers in 18-point bold text for mail solicitations and verbal disclaimers for phone/in-person requests, stating: "THIS NOTICE IS NOT FROM A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY. BUSINESS CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTS CAN BE OBTAINED DIRECTLY FROM THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE." Violators face a $500 civil penalty per solicitation, with each separate request counted as a violation. The bill directly affects private document retrieval services and aims to prevent deceptive practices targeting businesses seeking official documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 2692) amends Texas Water Code Section 13.043(c) to clarify the process for customers to appeal water, drainage, or sewer rate changes with the Public Utility Commission of Texas. It requires appeals to be initiated by filing a petition within 90 days of a rate change or a governing body’s final decision, signed by either 10% of affected ratepayers (or 10,000 customers, whichever is fewer) or 10% of customers in a specific rate class. The change directly affects residential and business customers whose utility rates are modified, providing a clearer threshold for group appeals. The bill does not alter rate-setting authority but streamlines the eligibility criteria for filing appeals.