Sen. César Blanco

Maddy summaryHB 647 allows Texas driver's license holders who have had vision-correcting surgery to remove restrictions requiring corrective lenses. To qualify, license holders must submit a written statement from a licensed physician or optometrist confirming surgical correction and pay a required fee. The Texas Department of Public Safety must then mail a new license without the restriction, except for individuals required to register under Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (sex offender registry). The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and changes the process for removing this specific license restriction.

Maddy summaryHB 33, titled the "Uvalde Strong Act," requires Texas public and charter schools to comply with additional safety and operational requirements related to active shooter incidents and emergencies. It amends the Education Code to mandate adherence to existing rules covering student data systems, criminal background checks, discipline practices, health/safety protocols, bullying prevention, and staff reporting obligations. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools by expanding their compliance obligations under current safety frameworks. It does not create new rules but requires schools to follow more existing provisions related to emergency preparedness and student safety. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 2610 creates Chapter 542 in Texas law requiring businesses that handle sensitive personal information to implement reasonable cybersecurity programs. It makes businesses liable to individuals who suffer economic harm after a data breach caused by failure to follow these standards. Businesses meet the "reasonable" standard by adopting recognized frameworks like NIST, ISO 27000, or industry-specific standards (e.g., HIPAA for healthcare). The law applies specifically to breaches involving sensitive personal data and does not affect existing legal remedies available to the Attorney General.

Maddy summarySB 458 requires personal auto and residential property insurance policies in Texas to include a standardized appraisal process when policyholders and insurers disagree on the amount of a loss. The law mandates that policies contain this dispute resolution mechanism, involving qualified appraisers and an umpire to determine the loss value. An appraisal award under this process is binding on both parties, except for fraud, accident, or material mistake. This applies to most standard insurers (like capital stock or mutual companies) but excludes commercial policies and Texas Windstorm Insurance Association coverage.

Maddy summarySB 896 extends the enrollment period for newborns under employer-sponsored health benefit plans in Texas, changing the deadline from 32 days to 61 days after birth. The bill requires health plans to provide coverage until the 61st day unless the plan receives birth notice and any required additional premium by the 60th day. It prohibits plans from excluding initial newborn coverage before day 61, coverage for congenital defects, or costs for required newborn screening tests. This applies to all health benefit plans offering maternity or accident/health coverage for newborns, directly affecting newborns, their parents, and employer health insurance providers. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 2018 creates a tax credit for businesses that contribute to designated organizations, specifically allowing eligible entities to apply this credit against taxes paid under Texas's Alcoholic Beverage Code. The credit amount equals the lesser of the business's contributions to qualifying organizations or the taxes paid under the Alcoholic Beverage Code, with annual caps on total credits and contributions. Businesses must apply through the comptroller, who will determine eligibility based on existing Tax Code provisions (Sections 171.801-171.805). The credit expires on January 1, 2028, and directly affects alcohol-related businesses in Texas that pay taxes under the Alcoholic Beverage Code.

Maddy summaryHB 3153 requires facilities like residential treatment centers, juvenile detention centers, and homeless shelters to conduct criminal history checks and employment verifications for all staff, volunteers, and contractors who may have direct contact with children. It applies to the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, counties, and municipalities. The law mandates that facilities review state criminal records and verify employment for anyone potentially providing care, supervision, control, or routine interaction with children at these locations. This policy change aims to prevent physical or sexual abuse by ensuring background checks for all individuals in direct contact with children. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 923 amends Texas law governing the Medical Disclosure Panel, a body that reviews medical malpractice claims. The bill increases the panel's membership from nine to 13 members, requiring specific representation: three public members (including one with health literacy expertise), three legal experts (with patient/physician experience), and seven licensed physicians. A key new provision (f-1) mandates that for votes requiring panel action, a majority of the medical-licensed members must be present. The panel will remain administratively attached to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which will provide budget support and staff. This structural change affects how the panel operates but does not alter medical malpractice claim procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 3126 allows school entities that discontinued participation in Texas' uniform group health coverage program for active school employees after September 1, 2022, to rejoin the program under specific conditions. To re-enroll, these entities must submit written notice to the program trustee by December 31, 2025, for participation beginning September 1, 2026, and pay a risk stabilization fee on their premiums for the 2026 plan year. The bill prohibits rejoining entities from discontinuing participation before September 1, 2031, and expires on that date. This bill, signed into law on June 20, 2025, and effective September 1, 2025, directly affects school districts or entities previously enrolled in the program.

Maddy summaryHB 2193 requires the Texas Veterans Commission to study how veterans access state and federal benefits currently managed by the commission. The study must count eligible veterans by county, assess current claims benefit advisor staffing levels, identify optimal staffing locations to minimize veteran travel, and calculate implementation costs for service improvements. The commission must submit a report with findings and recommendations to state leaders by June 1, 2026. This bill does not change benefit eligibility or amounts but focuses on analyzing and potentially improving service delivery efficiency for veterans across Texas.