Sen. Sarah Eckhardt

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow specific Texas municipalities to use tax revenue generated from hotel and convention center projects for local community development. It defines eligibility for 16 types of cities based on population size, geographic location (e.g., bordering lakes, containing state parks), or proximity to landmarks like the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. The bill amends the Tax Code to expand which cities can direct these funds toward community projects without changing tax rates. It does not create new taxes or alter existing revenue streams. The bill was amended and reported favorably in committee but did not advance further.

Maddy summarySB 719 would require hospitals providing inpatient mental health services to collect and report detailed data on available psychiatric beds, including breaking down bed counts by patient age and whether beds are currently available (online) or unavailable (offline). It also mandates the Health and Human Services Commission to study statewide bed availability at facilities offering acute psychiatric treatment. This data collection aims to improve transparency about mental health facility capacity for state officials. The bill focuses on concrete reporting requirements for hospitals and a specific study on bed availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Texas counties to authorize local governments (like cities or school districts) to exempt from property tax the portion of a home's assessed value tied to rainwater harvesting or graywater systems. It directly affects homeowners who install these water systems by potentially reducing their property tax burden. The exemption would apply only to the value added by the systems themselves, not the entire property. If approved by voters, local tax assessors would implement this change through existing property tax processes.

Maddy summarySB 1633 would allow Texas counties to exempt from property tax the portion of a home's value tied to rainwater harvesting or graywater systems. Property owners installing these water conservation systems would see reduced property taxes, as the exemption applies to the specific value added by the systems, not the entire property. The exemption must be adopted by a county commissioners court and applies to all taxing entities (like cities or school districts) that tax the property. This bill requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment before it can take effect in 2026.

Maddy summarySJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead exemption for school district property taxes in Texas from $100,000 to $140,000. This change would directly reduce the taxable value of a primary residence for school taxes, lowering property tax bills for homeowners. The amendment requires voter approval in a November 2025 election to take effect for the 2025 tax year. If passed, it would provide an additional $40,000 in tax relief on primary homes for school funding purposes.

Maddy summarySB 1944 amends Texas law to change how housing tax credits are allocated to developments in the same community. It allows credits for multiple projects if they meet specific criteria: either in cities with over 2 million residents or federally declared disaster areas with municipal approval, or in "high opportunity developments" defined by low poverty rates (below 20% or regional median), higher median household incomes, and compatible zoning. The bill targets credits toward developments in areas with certain socioeconomic characteristics, such as census tracts with lower poverty and higher income levels. It directly affects developers seeking tax credits and municipalities managing housing programs.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) adopted by the Texas Senate on May 21, 2025. It formally recognizes the five students in the 13th class of the Senator Gregory Luna Legislative Scholars and Fellows Program - Ben Aguillon, Rachel Sepulveda, Leticia Sofia Torres, Christell Valdes, and Ezra Villarreal - for their service in Texas Senate offices during the 89th Legislative Session. The resolution commends their "remarkable service and excellent work" and provides them with a formal copy as a gesture of the Senate's "high regard." No new laws, funding, or policy changes are created by this resolution.

Maddy summarySB 1998 establishes a statewide pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program for medical students in Texas. The program, administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, connects students interested in pediatric subspecialties (like pediatric cardiology or oncology) with training opportunities through eligible organizations - such as tax-exempt nonprofits or accredited Texas medical schools. To participate, students must indicate a career interest in a pediatric subspecialty, and the program begins for the 2025-2026 academic year. This bill directly affects medical students at Texas medical schools pursuing specialized pediatric careers, creating a structured pathway to gain clinical experience in high-demand pediatric fields.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 783 exempts certain building regulations from state oversight, specifically clarifying that local governments cannot enforce restrictions on residential or commercial construction that conflict with pre-existing standards. It directly affects municipalities, developers, and historic preservation entities by creating nine specific exemptions, including windstorm insurance requirements, certified Dark Sky Community lighting ordinances, and buildings in historic districts (like National Register sites or Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks). Key provisions allow local ordinances for outdoor lighting to comply with international dark-sky certification standards and preserve existing historic designations without state interference. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers in May 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2549 changes rules for allocating Texas housing tax credits to developments. It allows multiple developments in the same community to receive credits even if they are closer than two miles apart, but only in cities with 750,000+ residents or federally declared disaster areas - provided the city council specifically approves. This applies only to applications submitted for the 2026 or later qualified allocation plans, not older applications. The change does not affect rehabilitation projects of existing affordable housing.