Sen. Sarah Eckhardt

Maddy summarySB 1366 requires all Texas driver education and driving safety courses to include specific information about construction and maintenance work zones starting September 1, 2026. The curriculum must cover the dangers of violating traffic rules in these zones and the penalties for such violations under Texas law. This affects all licensed driver education providers and courses offered in Texas. The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation must adopt the required rules by May 1, 2026, to implement the changes. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, but the new curriculum requirement applies to courses held on or after September 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 867 amends Texas law to require housing finance corporations to follow open meetings and open records laws (Chapters 551 and 552 of the Government Code). This directly affects housing finance corporations by mandating public transparency in their meetings and records. The key provision adds Section 394.0045 to the Local Government Code, applying standard public accountability rules to these entities. The bill does not create a new fee, as its title suggests, but instead modifies governance requirements for existing housing finance corporations. These changes ensure greater public access to the operations of entities managing affordable housing programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Texas pet stores from selling dogs or cats, with limited exceptions for showcasing animals for adoption through qualified animal control agencies or nonprofit rescue organizations. Pet stores may only host these organizations if they meet strict criteria, such as not breeding animals, not receiving payment for animals, and having no ties to breeders or animal brokers. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $500 per day for each animal sold in violation. The law applies only to animals obtained by pet stores on or after the effective date.

Maddy summarySB 384 allows hunters and anglers to voluntarily donate $1, $5, $10, or $20 to the Operation Game Thief Fund when applying for a Texas hunting or fishing license. The bill requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to include donation options on license applications and its website. Funds collected must be deposited into the Operation Game Thief Fund within 14 days of receipt, after deducting reasonable administrative costs. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects all applicants for these licenses.

Maddy summarySB 897 amends Texas law to adjust matching fund requirements for community mental health programs supporting veterans and their families. It requires grant recipients to provide non-state funds equal to 25%, 50%, or 75% of the grant amount, based on the population of the county(ies) served: 25% for counties under 100,000 residents, 50% for 100,000-249,999 residents, and 75% for 250,000+ residents. These changes apply only to grants awarded on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing grants unaffected. The bill was signed into law on May 15, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1520 establishes the Bicentennial Trail, a network of hike and bike trails connecting the Alamo to the Texas State Capitol, with additional connections to Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, Comal Springs, and San Antonio Springs. The Texas Land Office must coordinate the trail's development by January 1, 2036, working with local governments, nonprofits, and the Parks and Wildlife Department to acquire property through voluntary means (not eminent domain). The Parks and Wildlife Department will maintain all state-acquired property used for the trail, which can only be used for recreation, environmental stewardship, and preserving Texas' historical and cultural heritage. The bill expires September 1, 2037.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 480) recognizing Dr. Bhavana Mocherla for participating in the Texas Legislature's Physician of the Day program on May 14, 2025. The resolution commends her service as a physician volunteering at the Capitol health clinic during the legislative session, highlighting her medical background and community involvement. It does not create any new law or policy, but formally honors her contribution. The resolution was adopted by the Texas Senate on May 14, 2025, and includes a copy for Dr. Mocherla as a gesture of recognition.

Maddy summarySB 2310 requires Texas public colleges and universities to clearly display certificate and degree program requirements online. It mandates institutions to make all program details - including course prerequisites, non-course requirements, and transfer criteria - uniformly accessible on their student websites, general websites, and department websites. The bill affects all public higher education institutions in Texas, directly benefiting students by providing transparent, consistent information about program demands. Institutions must comply by the 2026-2027 academic year, following rules adopted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board by January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 481 requires nursing and assisted living facilities in Texas to create and maintain emergency preparedness plans focused on resident safety during crises. The bill mandates facilities to install emergency generators with 96 hours of fuel, carbon monoxide detectors, and procedures to maintain indoor temperatures between 71°F and 81°F during power outages. It also requires facilities to develop protocols for safely relocating residents if temperatures become unsafe and to communicate with families during emergencies. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission must review and approve each facility’s plan, with license revocation possible for noncompliance. This directly affects all nursing and assisted living facilities operating in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 1145 allows the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to issue permits for applying treated wastewater from oil and gas operations onto land, directly affecting oil and gas companies seeking to reuse this water. The bill requires TCEQ to establish standards preventing pollution of surface and groundwater during land application. It creates a new permitting process for "produced water" (wastewater from extraction) that has been treated for beneficial use, replacing previous requirements under the Railroad Commission. The law applies only to permits filed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.