Sen. César Blanco

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas tax code to allow registered securities market operators (such as stock exchanges) to exclude specific "transaction rebate payments" from their taxable revenue. These payments incentivize brokers or dealers to provide market liquidity during securities transactions. The exclusion applies only to payments meeting federal definitions under SEC/CFTC regulation, as defined in the bill. The change takes effect for tax returns filed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 1528) allows the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to reimburse current or former employees for personal property lost or damaged by a client during work duties. It requires the department to use existing resources (no new funding) to cover such losses, such as a personal item damaged during a home visit. The policy applies specifically to DFPS employees whose personal belongings are affected by clients they serve. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (SB 1101) adds new criminal offenses related to smuggling people. It makes it illegal to transport individuals while hiding from police, help others enter the U.S. illegally by concealing them, or guide groups onto protected lands (like parks or cultural sites) without the owner's consent. The law specifically targets smuggling tactics involving evasion of law enforcement or unauthorized use of protected areas. It applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2926 transfers administration of certain veterans' mental health programs from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to the Texas Veterans Commission. It creates a new grant program to fund community mental health programs providing services to veterans and their families, requiring grant recipients to contribute non-state funds matching 25% to 100% of the grant amount based on the county's population size. Programs serving counties under 100,000 population must match 25% of the grant, those in 100,000-250,000 population must match 50%, and those in 250,000+ population must match 100%. The bill directly affects community mental health programs seeking state funding for veteran mental health services, with funds disbursed directly to providers by the Texas Veterans Commission.

Maddy summarySB 209 establishes the Texas Technology and Innovation Program to help Texas businesses access federal innovation funding. The program matches or supplements money from federal small business innovation programs (like SBIR/STTR) for eligible Texas businesses. To qualify, businesses must be based in Texas (with a state headquarters, manufacturing facility, or majority of employees residing here), meet federal program requirements, and not receive similar funding from other state programs. The Texas office will administer the program, requiring businesses to apply with proof of federal program eligibility and other documentation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 506) is a symbolic gesture by the Texas Senate to recognize May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month. It formally acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States and Texas, including their roles in the Texas Revolution, community founding, and cultural enrichment. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it serves only as a ceremonial acknowledgment by the Texas Senate. It directly affects the state legislature's official recognition of this observance. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 8, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 640 requires the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to include specific data on youth in its conservatorship who attempt suicide in its annual public report. The bill mandates that DFPS report the number of such suicide attempts, along with related statistics on mental health services and placements, as part of its existing annual transparency reporting. This data must be published electronically by August 1 each year for public access. The bill directly affects youth under DFPS conservatorship and the department itself, which must collect and disclose this information.

Maddy summarySB 636 would require certain state-run health benefit plans to provide mental health and substance use disorder coverage at the same level as physical health care. It specifically applies to basic coverage plans under Chapters 1551, 1575, 1579, and 1601 of the Texas Insurance Code, directly affecting state employees and other enrollees in these plans. The bill amends insurance code sections to mandate parity, ensuring these services aren't subject to stricter limits than physical health care. Key provisions clarify which plans must comply and exclude certain policy types like short-term travel or accident-only coverage. The bill was reported adversely by the Health & Human Services Committee in April 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2605 creates a new "asset commission" for certain municipal housing authorities in Texas, specifically those operating in counties with 800,000+ population on the international border or municipalities with 600,000+ population within such counties. The commission, composed of five members with strict qualifications (e.g., licensed real estate brokers with 5+ years in multifamily housing, CPAs, or executives managing 5,000+ housing units), must approve major financial decisions for the housing authority. Members face strict conflict-of-interest rules prohibiting ties to the housing authority or local government, and must disclose any financial interests. The bill establishes compensation for members and removal procedures for misconduct, but does not change housing policies or funding.

Maddy summarySB 2608 expands eligibility for Texas low-income housing tax credits to include specific "at-risk" housing developments. It defines these as projects that have received federal housing assistance (like Section 8 or HUD subsidies) and are nearing the end of affordability requirements or mortgage terms, or those planning to rehabilitate housing units previously receiving federal Section 9 assistance. The bill applies only to tax credit applications submitted during the 2026 or later allocation cycles, not earlier ones. This change directly affects developers seeking tax credits and public housing authorities managing qualifying properties.