Sen. Sarah Eckhardt

Maddy summarySB 2852 establishes a research-based bullying prevention pilot program for Texas public schools. It authorizes the Texas Education Agency to award grants to eligible school districts demonstrating substantial need, allowing them to implement the program at no more than three campuses per district. The program must use evidence-based strategies developed with experts in child psychology and mental health, and the agency will provide technical assistance through regional education centers. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, pending appropriation of funds.

Maddy summarySB 848 prohibits the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) from requiring local governments to pay compensation for potential or actual lost toll revenue caused by nearby nontolled roads or infrastructure. The bill directly affects local governments by preventing TxDOT from seeking monetary compensation when adjacent roads compete with toll projects. It establishes a new legal provision (Section 228.0032 of the Transportation Code) that explicitly bans such compensation demands, ensuring local governments do not bear costs from competing infrastructure. This policy change clarifies that toll project revenue losses due to non-toll roads cannot be shifted to local entities.

Maddy summarySB 2851 requires Texas public schools to notify parents or guardians when their child is involved in a bullying incident or identified as at risk of suicide. Schools must provide suicide prevention materials and information on limiting access to means of self-harm (like firearms or medication), while maintaining records of notification. These requirements apply to all public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools under amendments to Education Code Sections 37.0832 and 38.351. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year, directly affecting parents of students in these situations.

Maddy summarySB 3008 allows public school students who are children of peace officers, active-duty military personnel (including Texas National Guard), or state/federal judges to request transfers to another campus or school district within the same district or under an existing inter-district agreement. The parent making the request selects the specific campus or district, and school districts are not required to provide transportation for these transfers. This law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and amends Texas Education Code Section 25.0344 to include these public servant categories. It directly affects students of these specific public servants by providing a transfer option under defined circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds "digital reporting" as a certified method for court reporters in Texas, requiring applicants to demonstrate proficiency with digital tools and prove minimal risk of inaccuracy, bias, or data misuse. It defines digital reporting as using technology (like speech recognition) to create draft transcriptions that become verbatim records after review. The bill amends certification rules to include digital reporting alongside traditional shorthand methods, mandating documentation about technology use and risk mitigation. This directly affects court reporters seeking certification to use digital tools for transcribing court proceedings, depositions, or grand jury hearings.

Maddy summarySB 2768 expands minors' ability to consent to medical treatments, including contraception, without parental permission in specific situations (such as being 16 or older and living independently, or being a pregnant minor). It requires the child health plan to cover prescription contraceptives for children 17 or younger, with consent from the minor or their parent/guardian as defined by law. The bill also allows inmates under 18 to consent to medical, dental, psychological, and surgical care without parental involvement. These provisions aim to increase access to contraception and related reproductive health services for young people in Texas.

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.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate resolution (SR 356) honoring Carole Stewart Keeton, a pioneering Texas public servant who died in March 2025. It recognizes her historic achievements as the first woman elected mayor of Austin, first woman on the Texas Railroad Commission, and first woman Texas Comptroller, along with her dedication to education, fiscal responsibility, and community service. The resolution expresses the Texas Senate's condolences to her family and directs the Senate to adjourn in her memory. As a purely ceremonial resolution with no policy changes, it does not affect any laws or directly impact constituents.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill), passed by the Texas Senate on March 27, 2025, to recognize March 27, 2025, as "CASA Day" at the State Capitol. It honors the Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) network, which relies on volunteer advocates to support children in foster care by making court recommendations and addressing their needs. The resolution commends CASA for its work serving nearly 18,000 youth annually across 74 programs in Texas. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or alter policies - it simply expresses the Senate’s appreciation for CASA’s advocacy efforts.