Sen. César Blanco

Maddy summarySB 268 requires licensing agencies to forward complaints about healthcare practitioners to the agency that issued the practitioner's license if the complaint involves a different licensing entity. It prevents the receiving agency from taking disciplinary action unless the other agency refers the complaint back for investigation. The law applies only to complaints filed on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate effect). This change clarifies jurisdiction between licensing agencies handling healthcare practitioner complaints.

Maddy summarySB 614 amends Texas law to expand the Texas Forensic Science Commission's authority to refer specific cases to the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs. It allows the Commission to refer cases under investigation for forensic evidence issues (as defined in existing law) or dismissed cases with prior published reports covering the same forensic topic. The bill, effective September 1, 2025, creates a formal mechanism for these referrals but does not change the Commission's investigative powers or the Office's responsibilities. The bill was passed by the Texas Legislature but vetoed by the Governor on June 22, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1052 requires Texas health insurance plans to cover telemedicine, teledentistry, and telehealth services provided by out-of-state providers on the same terms as in-state services. It applies to Texas residents who primarily live in the state and receive care from providers licensed in Texas with a physical office in Texas. The law ensures equal coverage for out-of-state telehealth visits without additional cost-sharing, but only if the provider meets Texas licensing and office requirements. This bill became effective September 1, 2025, and applies to health plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 25 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to provide daily moderate or vigorous physical activity for students in prekindergarten through grade 8. Specifically, it mandates at least 30 minutes daily for grades K-5 and 30 minutes daily for at least four semesters in grades 6-8, with alternatives for scheduling challenges (e.g., 135 minutes weekly). The bill prohibits schools from restricting student participation in physical activity as punishment for academic or behavioral issues. It directly affects K-8 students and school employees responsible for implementing physical education curricula, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 22 establishes the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund to provide financial support for film and television productions filmed in Texas. It requires the Music, Film, Television, and Multimedia Office to deny grants for projects containing "inappropriate content" or portraying Texas/Texans "in a negative fashion," while also prohibiting grants for pornography, news programming, religious content, non-commercial projects, and state advertising. The bill explicitly lists ineligible project types, including political ads, sporting events, and video games used in gambling. It creates a dedicated funding mechanism for eligible productions and authorizes the Office to administer grants using money from the incentive fund or other approved sources. The law directly affects production companies seeking financial support for qualifying Texas-based film and TV projects.

Maddy summarySB 1278 would have created a legal defense for individuals prosecuted under Texas law who were victims of human trafficking (Section 20A.02) or compelled prostitution (Section 43.05). The bill would have allowed victims to claim this defense if they engaged in criminal conduct due to coercion, duress, or threats of death/serious injury to themselves or their family. It would not apply if the coercion wouldn't affect a reasonable person or if the victim was merely given an opportunity to commit the act. This defense would only apply to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 22, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2853 allows The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to charge students a fee for its student union building, with specific limits: up to $30 per student per regular semester or long summer session, and $15 for shorter summer sessions. The bill requires that annual fee increases cannot exceed 10% over the prior year's amount unless approved by a majority of students in a vote. These fees are in addition to other existing student fees and apply starting with the 2026 spring semester. The bill directly affects UTEP students who pay the fee and governs how the university can adjust it.

Maddy summaryHB 500 reassigns existing state funds to specific programs without creating new revenue. It directs $40.4 million to crime victim compensation, $104.5 million to preserve historic state buildings (transferring from prior museum funds), $300 million for space research, and $100 million for courthouse preservation grants through the Texas Historical Commission. These funds come from unspent balances in existing appropriations, not new taxes or spending. The bill affects state agencies managing these programs and directly supports crime victims, historic preservation, and state infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 971 repeals the existing definition of "rural political subdivision" in the Texas Water Code that was established by a 2023 law. This change directly affects communities seeking eligibility for the Texas Water Assistance Program, which provides funding for water infrastructure projects. The bill removes the previous definition but does not specify a new one, leaving the program's eligibility criteria unchanged until a replacement definition is enacted. This procedural update was signed into law on June 20, 2025, and took effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Texas Railroad Commission to designate individuals or entities as the operator of an orphaned oil or gas well if they submit specific documentation proving a legal right to the mineral estate, geothermal energy estate, or geologic space accessed by the well. To qualify, applicants must provide documented proof of their interest (e.g., lease agreements or deeds), a compliance certificate, and pay a $250 nonrefundable fee. It directly affects property owners, leaseholders, or geothermal developers seeking to manage or remediate abandoned wells. The bill clarifies that "geothermal energy conservation wells" are distinct from battery storage resources, focusing specifically on wells used for energy retention to support grid electricity.