Sen. Sarah Eckhardt

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 125) passed by the Texas Senate to honor Archbishop Joe Steve Vásquez. It formally recognizes his appointment as Archbishop of Galveston-Houston by Pope Francis, highlighting his 15 years of service as Bishop of Austin and his background as a native Texan. The resolution expresses the Senate's commendation for his "exemplary spiritual leadership" and extends best wishes for his new role. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create any policy changes or affect any laws or individuals.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution formally welcomes Tonkawa Tribal Nation Chief Martin to the Texas Capitol during his visit. It acknowledges the tribe's historical relationship with Texas through ceremonial recognition. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or affect policies.

Maddy summarySB 853 exempts brewpubs from paying the mixed beverage tax on malt beverages they produce and serve on their own premises. It applies only when the brewpub both makes the malt beverages under its license and sells them at the same location, not to other beer sales. Brewpubs must maintain records to prove eligibility for the exemption and provide them to tax authorities upon request. The exemption takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not change tax liability for sales before that date.

Maddy summarySB 975 requires the Texas Department of State Health Services, in partnership with the Dell Medical School at UT Austin, to study how common heat-related deaths are in Texas and how well counties track them. The study must examine existing county resources for tracking these deaths, identify needed support, and pinpoint barriers counties face. It also aims to clarify how to distinguish heat-related deaths from other causes. The department must submit a final report with findings and recommendations to state leaders by December 1, 2026, and the bill expires on September 1, 2027. This is a study bill with no direct new requirements or funding for counties.

Maddy summarySB 979 requires every Texas polling place to serve as a voter registration agency. Election officials must offer registration forms to all eligible voters present at the polls who are not already registered, using the state's official form. The bill removes the requirement for polling places to provide declination forms (for those who refuse registration) and mandates that officials notify unregistered voters they cannot vote in the current election. This directly affects voters who arrive at polling locations without prior registration but are otherwise eligible to vote. The bill makes voter registration an automatic, on-site option at all polling places during election hours.

Maddy summarySB 977 creates a program allowing Texas voters to complete registration applications online through the state's official website. It requires applicants with a Texas driver's license or ID card to affirm the accuracy of their information and consent to use their license signature; those without such ID must provide a digital signature. The bill mandates security measures, including verifying identity through the state's electronic portal and displaying voter fraud information prominently on the registration site. The system will function as equivalent to mail-in applications, with rules to ensure accuracy and integrity, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 887 allows Texas municipalities to use impact fees collected from new developments for roadway safety improvements (like crosswalks or traffic signals), rather than general infrastructure. It requires cities to confirm in their capital improvement plans that the project doesn’t need additional road capacity but specifically addresses safety needs, and that a transportation study for the development shows no need for more capacity. This bill directly affects cities collecting impact fees and developers paying those fees, as it creates a new pathway for directing funds toward safety. The law amends Texas Local Government Code sections 395.012(f) and adds section 395.0121, effective September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.

Maddy summarySR 98 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing Senator Judith Zaffirini on her birthday. It honors her service as Dean of the Texas Senate - the longest-serving and highest-ranking member - and acknowledges her historic role as the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas Senate. The resolution celebrates her 38 years of legislative service, including over 72,000 consecutive votes since 1987, and her work on health care, education, and family support. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is purely a tribute with no legislative action required.

Maddy summarySB 981 amends Texas law to update school bus replacement grant programs, requiring at least 75% of funds to support electric school buses or diesel-to-electric conversions. It expands grant eligibility to private companies leasing buses to school districts and prioritizes projects that reduce diesel exhaust, especially particulate matter. The bill sets specific replacement criteria, such as requiring diesel buses to be model year 2006 or earlier for combustion engine replacements or at least nine years old with 200,000 miles for electric conversions. Additionally, it reduces the maximum term for school bus contracts from 15 to 10 years.

Maddy summarySB 978 repeals a specific exception in Texas law that previously allowed certain employer actions to unlawfully prevent employees from voting. It removes Section 276.004(b) of the Election Code, which had created a legal loophole enabling employers to interfere with voting rights in some circumstances. The bill directly affects employees whose voting rights may have been restricted by employers and employers who could have faced legal consequences under the repealed exception. The change takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses occurring on or after that date.