Sen. Sarah Eckhardt

Maddy summarySB 338 requires construction contractors and subcontractors working on public projects to provide workers' compensation insurance for their employees. It mandates that government agencies overseeing public projects must obtain written certification from contractors and subcontractors confirming this coverage is in place. The law applies only to new construction contracts entered into on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing agreements. Coverage must meet the standards set by the government agency managing the project.

Maddy summarySB 354 would allow licensed handgun carriers to carry concealed handguns on most areas of Texas college campuses, unless the campus community votes to prohibit it. To ban concealed carry, a college must first get a majority vote from its student government to propose a ban, then hold a campus-wide referendum where a majority of students, staff, and faculty must approve the ban. The college president must establish reasonable rules about where concealed carry is permitted (but cannot generally prohibit it) and must hold referendums within 60 days of student government proposals. This bill shifts the default rule to permit concealed carry on campuses while creating a specific process for institutions to restrict it through student and staff votes.

Maddy summarySB 332 amends Texas Penal Code Section 22.011(b) to clarify what constitutes "without consent" in sexual assault cases. It adds 15 specific scenarios where consent is legally invalid, including when the victim is unconscious, mentally incapacitated, unaware of the act, or exploited due to a dependent relationship (e.g., clergy, healthcare providers, caregivers, or coaches). The bill directly affects all sexual assault prosecutions in Texas by defining clear legal standards for consent. Key provisions explicitly prohibit exploitation of trust in professional or caregiving roles and address situations involving intoxication or administered substances. This change provides a more precise legal framework for prosecutors and courts handling sexual assault cases.

Maddy summarySB 258 allows Texas voters with an unexpired driver’s license or state ID card to register to vote online through the state’s official website starting September 1, 2025. It requires applicants to verify their information, consent to using their license signature, and match details against Department of Public Safety records. If the information matches, the application is sent to the applicant’s county registrar; if not, the system directs them to submit a paper form. The bill directly affects Texas voters who hold valid driver’s licenses or state IDs, making voter registration more accessible while requiring security checks against state records.

Maddy summarySB 424 creates a legal framework for Texas to partner with private companies to build and operate high-speed rail. It requires the Texas Department of Transportation to enter a development agreement with a private entity to construct, maintain, and operate rail service reaching at least 110 mph along the I-35 corridor connecting Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. The bill directly affects state transportation authorities and future private rail operators by establishing specific requirements for such projects. It repeals an existing Transportation Code section and takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 245 restricts where retailers with consumer delivery permits can deliver alcoholic beverages. It requires deliveries to respond only to legitimate customer orders and limits delivery areas to within 50 miles of the retailer’s location, specifically within the same county, city/town, or a two-mile radius beyond municipal boundaries. This directly affects alcohol retailers holding consumer delivery permits who must comply with these geographic boundaries. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and modifies Texas’ Alcoholic Beverage Code to enforce these delivery restrictions.

Maddy summarySJR 14 proposes a constitutional amendment to give Texas citizens the direct power to propose new laws or constitutional changes through petitions, known as "initiative," and to vote on those proposals, known as "referendum." It requires petitioners to submit a $2,000 filing fee (refundable if the measure reaches the ballot), include two representative voter names, and ensure proposals cover only one subject. The Texas Legislative Council would review proposals for constitutionality and fiscal impact, requiring a fiscal note if state funds are involved, before forwarding them to the Secretary of State for public petitioning. This amendment, if approved, would directly affect Texas voters by expanding their direct role in lawmaking, while adding administrative steps for state officials handling petitions. The bill is currently in the State Affairs committee for review.

Maddy summarySB 308 repeals Texas laws that prohibited abortion, specifically repealing Chapter 170A of the Health and Safety Code and Chapter 6-1/2 of the Revised Statutes (the current state abortion ban). The bill clarifies that these changes do not legalize prohibited abortion conduct, allow lawsuits against pregnant individuals seeking abortions, or limit remedies for violations of other abortion laws. It also ensures local governments can enforce stricter abortion regulations than the state. The bill takes effect immediately if passed by a two-thirds vote in both chambers, otherwise on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 691 requires residents of Texas who acquire a firearm after January 1, 2026, and new residents entering Texas with firearms to register them with the state. Registrants must submit detailed information including personal identification, firearm specifications (model, serial number, caliber), and the firearm's source, along with a reasonable fee covering administrative costs. Failure to register is a Class C misdemeanor. The law applies to all firearm owners meeting these criteria, with rules and application forms to be implemented by December 1, 2025, and full requirements taking effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 633 makes it a criminal offense to intentionally show, use, or threaten to show/use a firearm within 1,000 feet of school property (including parking lots and other school-owned areas) or on a school bus. This law directly affects individuals near schools, such as students, parents, or visitors, who may carry or threaten firearms in these zones. Key provisions define the offense broadly to cover both actual firearm use and threats, with penalties under Texas Penal Code. The bill expands existing restrictions to include all school property boundaries and school bus routes, creating a clearer criminal standard for firearm activity near educational facilities.