Sen. Sarah Eckhardt

Maddy summarySB 360 amends Texas Health and Safety Code §166.033 to add an optional pregnancy-specific section to advance directive forms. It allows pregnant individuals of child-bearing age to specify preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment during pregnancy, separate from standard end-of-life directives. The section is optional, does not affect the validity of the overall directive if left blank, and must be completed only by those who choose to address pregnancy-related treatment decisions. This change provides a formal mechanism for pregnant people to communicate their medical preferences in advance.

Maddy summarySB 634 allows local taxing units (like cities or counties) to create a fixed-dollar exemption for homeowners' primary residences, requiring a minimum $5,000 exemption per household. This exemption, adopted annually before July 1, applies to the appraised value of a homestead and stacks with existing exemptions under Texas law. The bill ensures this new exemption does not reduce state school funding calculations, as it explicitly excludes these fixed-dollar amounts when determining taxable property values for education funding under the Foundation School Program. Homeowners in communities that adopt this exemption will see reduced property taxes on their primary residence.

Maddy summarySB 351 requires Texas' Child Health Plan (CHIP) to cover FDA-approved birth control drugs, supplies, or devices for enrolled children. It explicitly excludes coverage for abortion-inducing drugs or devices. For children under 18, the plan may only cover birth control if a parent, guardian, or the child (with legal authority) provides written consent. The bill directly affects CHIP-enrolled minors seeking preventive reproductive health care. It does not change coverage for prenatal care or reproductive health treatments related to medical conditions.

Maddy summarySB 526 requires Texas state agencies to use green stormwater infrastructure - such as rain gardens, permeable pavement, and bioswales - in the construction of all new state buildings, including projects previously exempt from certain building regulations. The law mandates these features to absorb rainwater, reduce flooding risks, and protect water quality by managing runoff. It applies only to new building projects where bidding or solicitation begins on or after September 1, 2025, leaving pre-existing projects unaffected. This policy change directly affects state agencies planning new construction, altering their standard building requirements.

Maddy summarySB 342 allows Texas municipalities and independent school districts to adopt preferential voting (ranked-choice voting) for nonpartisan local elections, such as city council or school board positions. It requires local governing bodies to approve the system by majority vote and specifies that voters rank candidates from most to least preferred. The bill eliminates primaries and runoff elections for these offices, instead using a vote-reassignment process to determine a majority winner if no candidate receives over 50% of first-choice votes. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to nonpartisan elections for local municipal or school district officers.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill requires voters to present specific forms of identification at polling places, with options for those who lack standard photo ID. Voters without photo identification can still cast ballots by providing two non-photo forms of ID or one non-photo ID plus a signed declaration explaining why they cannot obtain the required photo ID. The declaration process includes a statement that the voter faces a reasonable impediment to getting proper identification and carries penalties for false information. Additionally, the bill clarifies documentation requirements for voters seeking disability exemptions from ID rules, requiring proof from the Social Security Administration or Veterans Affairs.

Maddy summarySB 364 expands tuition and fee exemptions at Texas public colleges and universities for former foster youth who were under the conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). It allows students to qualify if they were under DFPS care on specific dates (such as before their 18th birthday, during high school graduation, or when placed for adoption) and enroll as undergraduates or in dual credit courses by their 25th birthday. The bill amends Education Code Section 54.366 to include these eligibility criteria, directly benefiting students transitioning from foster care. The exemption applies to tuition and fees for the 2025 fall semester and beyond.

Maddy summarySB 169 requires Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) facilities to maintain indoor temperatures between 65°F and 85°F. This directly affects all TDCJ-operated correctional facilities and the inmates housed within them. The bill establishes a specific temperature range standard and delays full compliance until September 1, 2026, though the law takes effect on September 1, 2025. The legislation provides clear, measurable requirements without specifying enforcement mechanisms or exemptions beyond the implementation timeline.

Maddy summarySB 164 repeals nine existing Texas laws that required courts, law enforcement, and local officials to determine the immigration status of victims, witnesses, and certain detained or incarcerated individuals in criminal cases. Specifically, it removes provisions from the Code of Criminal Procedure and Government Code that mandated checks on whether these individuals were "lawfully present" in the U.S. The bill’s key change is eliminating these verification requirements, which affects how courts handle cases involving immigration status. This is a procedural repeal bill with no new requirements; it simply removes outdated legal mechanisms. The bill is currently pending in the State Affairs committee.

Maddy summarySB 340 requires Texas landlords to provide applicants with printed notice of their screening criteria - including criminal history, rental history, income, credit, and application accuracy - before accepting an application fee. It mandates that this notice also state applicants may submit evidence regarding inaccuracies in criminal history, rehabilitation, or other mitigating factors. Landlords who violate these requirements face liability of $500 plus attorney fees, while those failing to refund fees in bad faith face $100 plus three times the fee retained. The law applies only to rental applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025.