Sen. César Blanco

Maddy summarySB 2609 allows child-care providers already operating under Texas Rising Star Program's four-star rating to temporarily apply that rating to a new facility opened by the same provider in the same city, postal code, or county. The new facility retains the four-star rating for up to six months after opening, during which the provider must obtain an initial permit, undergo a full facility assessment, and demonstrate efforts to meet certification requirements. The bill waives standard licensing history requirements for this temporary rating period. This process applies only to new facilities opened by existing Texas Rising Star Program participants and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2699 sets the minimum quality standards for gasoline and gasoline-ethanol blends sold in Texas to align with the most recent nationally recognized ASTM petroleum standards, including ASTM D4814 for gasoline. It establishes measurement tolerances for fuel dispensers based on NIST Handbook 44 and includes specific exceptions, such as a 1.0 psi vapor pressure waiver for ethanol blends (except in certain counties during May-October) and flexibility for regional volatility adjustments. This affects fuel retailers, distributors, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which will enforce compliance through testing and sampling. The bill repeals outdated sections and takes effect on September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate implementation.

Maddy summarySB 2602 requires certain Texas municipal housing authorities to follow competitive procurement procedures when spending above the federal simplified acquisition threshold (currently $100,000 under 48 C.F.R. §2.101). It directly affects municipal housing authorities covered under Section 392.0162 of the Local Government Code. The bill mandates competitive bidding for purchases exceeding this threshold, aligning their procurement rules with federal standards for larger expenditures. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to purchases made on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 2752 creates new regulations for fantasy sports contests in Texas by requiring operators to obtain a business license from the Texas Lottery Commission. The bill imposes a tax on "adjusted gross fantasy contest receipts" (entry fees collected from Texas participants minus prizes paid out), authorizes licensing fees, and sets administrative penalties for violations. It directly affects companies operating fantasy contests like DraftKings or FanDuel within Texas, not participants or traditional sports betting. The law defines fantasy contests as skill-based games where outcomes depend on real athlete statistics, not team or individual game results.

Maddy summarySB 2698 allows the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to access criminal history records for specific purposes: hiring applicants, verifying employees with access to critical infrastructure or confidential commission data, and vetting contractors needing access to sensitive information. The bill authorizes the PUC to obtain these records directly from the FBI or Texas criminal justice agencies, subject to strict confidentiality rules. It prohibits the PUC from disclosing this information except under court order or with the individual’s consent, and requires destruction of the records after use. The bill amends Government Code Section 411.14031 and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2606 increases the tax credit for rehabilitating certified historic structures in Texas from 25% to 35% of eligible costs when the project occurs in a designated "distressed area." A distressed area is defined as a census tract with a poverty rate ≥40%, median family income ≤40% of HUD's area median, or unemployment ≥2.5x the national average. This bill amends Texas Tax Code Sections 172.101 and 172.106 to create this higher credit rate specifically for properties in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. The change applies only to tax reports due on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2697 amends Texas Business Organizations Code Section 11.254 to clarify procedures for businesses whose corporate privileges were forfeited under the Tax Code for failing to file reports or pay taxes. It requires these businesses to follow Tax Code procedures to revive their privileges and reinstate their certificate of formation, ensuring they are treated as if they continued in existence without interruption from the forfeiture date. The bill specifies that revival or reinstatement does not affect the personal liability of business officers during the forfeiture period. This procedural update directly affects Texas business entities facing tax-related forfeiture of their legal status.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Texas homeowners and businesses with rooftop solar or small wind systems outside the ERCOT grid get compensated for excess electricity they generate. It requires utilities to first offset the owner's own electricity consumption with their renewable generation, then credit any surplus electricity to their bill. This applies specifically to owners using a single-meter connection method, ensuring they receive full value for their renewable energy production without needing separate metering. The policy directly affects renewable energy producers in non-ERCOT areas, streamlining their billing and compensation.

Maddy summarySB 422 creates a specific "construction grants" category under Texas library funding, allowing the State Library and Archives Commission to award grants for building new public libraries or improving existing ones. These grants directly affect Texas public libraries seeking state funding for physical infrastructure projects. The bill clarifies that construction grants may cover new construction, rehabilitation, or renovation of library buildings and associated costs, but explicitly prohibits using state funds for site acquisition, building purchases, or past debts. This policy change takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all public libraries eligible for state library grants.

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.