Sen. Sarah Eckhardt

Maddy summarySB 67 amends Texas law to clarify and expand the Texas Division of Emergency Management's (TDEM) authority to declare a local state of disaster for cities or counties. It requires TDEM to monitor for conditions requiring such a declaration (e.g., imminent harm to residents) and first attempt to notify local officials. If local leadership does not respond within a reasonable time, TDEM's administrative head may declare the disaster without waiting for local approval. This change aims to accelerate emergency responses during crises when local officials are unavailable, while specifying that declarations expire once the governor or local leaders become available.

Maddy summaryTexas SB 51 modifies abortion regulations by adding a new exception for pregnancies involving a "lethal fetal anomaly or diagnosis," requiring two physicians (a treating physician and one specializing in obstetrics/gynecology) to confirm the abortion is medically necessary. It establishes rules for "infant supportive palliative care" for infants born with lethal anomalies and mandates a multidisciplinary ethics committee review for abortions after 24 weeks based on this exception. The bill clarifies that existing abortion prohibitions still apply except for this specific medical exception, while explicitly stating that the law does not repeal other abortion-related statutes. It directly affects physicians performing abortions, patients with diagnosed fetal anomalies, and medical ethics committees.

Maddy summarySJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment to create an independent redistricting commission that would draw district boundaries for Texas's U.S. House, Texas Senate, and Texas House of Representatives elections. Currently, the Texas legislature draws these district lines, but this amendment would transfer that responsibility to the commission. The commission would have sole authority to establish and adjust district maps for these three elected bodies after each census, removing the legislature's direct role in redistricting. The amendment requires voter approval to become part of the Texas Constitution.

Maddy summarySB 25 allows Texas residents to voluntarily opt into local emergency warning systems through their driver's license applications. When applying for or renewing a driver's license, individuals can choose to share their contact information (phone, email, address) with their city or county to receive emergency alerts, with an option to receive alerts in both English and Spanish. Residents can later opt out by submitting a written request or text message to their local government. The bill creates a standardized process for municipalities and counties to contract with the Texas Department of Public Safety to access this voluntarily provided contact data. It directly affects Texas residents who use driver's license services and local governments operating emergency warning systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would restrict when the Texas legislature can redraw election districts for both the Texas state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives. It would require redistricting to occur only during specific, defined timeframes: when the legislature is constitutionally required to act, or within a 120-day window after the federal census is released. Exceptions allow redistricting within one year if courts invalidate districts, but not during periods when the Legislative Redistricting Board has exclusive authority. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2026 election to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 34 creates a new exception to Texas abortion restrictions for pregnancies resulting from sexual assault, as defined in specific Penal Code sections (including aggravated sexual assault and offenses under Section 25.02). It specifies that patients do not need to file police reports, provide forensic evidence, or have the alleged assault prosecuted to access this exception. The bill also repeals Chapter 6-1/2, a law regulating abortion in Texas. These changes directly affect individuals seeking abortion care in cases of sexual assault and clarify that the exception does not alter other abortion laws or allow lawsuits against patients.

Maddy summarySB 33 adds specific exceptions to Texas abortion restrictions for certain medical conditions. It allows abortions when a physician determines they are necessary due to a lethal fetal anomaly or a life-limiting diagnosis where the fetus cannot survive outside the womb without extraordinary medical interventions. The bill also requires physicians performing abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy (or when the age is unknown but likely 20+ weeks) to use the method most likely to allow fetal survival, per medical judgment. These changes apply to physicians following the specified medical exceptions, not to general abortion access.

Maddy summarySB 973 prohibits Texas property tax offices (appraisal districts) from posting certain residential property information online, specifically interior photos, detailed floor plans, or records showing specific interior features. It allows posting of aerial photos showing multiple buildings, street-level exterior photos, and field records showing only building outlines, general landscape features, and basic property dimensions. The law directly affects residential property owners by restricting how detailed property data can be shared publicly online. This is a concrete policy change limiting public access to specific types of property assessment information.

Maddy summaryHB 2421 sets a deadline for the Save Historic Muny District to secure land preservation for the Lions Municipal Golf Course or face dissolution. The bill requires the district to enter into an agreement with the landowner by May 31, 2027, to purchase the land or preserve it as a public golf course or parkland. If no such agreement is in place by that date, the district must dissolve under Section 3988.0901 of the Local Government Code. This directly affects the district’s operations and its relationship with the city regarding the historic golf course property.

Maddy summarySB 2111 requires Texas courts to appoint lawyers for indigent defendants who have a potentially meritorious claim in post-conviction habeas corpus proceedings. It specifically covers claims of actual innocence, lesser offenses, unconstitutional convictions, or constitutional violations. The bill amends court procedures to ensure defendants with these claims receive legal representation to file or pursue habeas corpus applications. This directly affects indigent individuals seeking relief after conviction who meet the defined criteria for a "potentially meritorious claim." The bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 22, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.