Sen. Sarah Eckhardt

Maddy summarySB 25 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to provide daily moderate or vigorous physical activity for students in prekindergarten through grade 8. Specifically, it mandates at least 30 minutes daily for grades K-5 and 30 minutes daily for at least four semesters in grades 6-8, with alternatives for scheduling challenges (e.g., 135 minutes weekly). The bill prohibits schools from restricting student participation in physical activity as punishment for academic or behavioral issues. It directly affects K-8 students and school employees responsible for implementing physical education curricula, effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1253 allows cities and counties in Texas to offer credits against water and wastewater impact fees for developers who build qualifying water conservation or reuse projects. These credits apply to facilities that reduce per-unit water use, decrease wastewater infrastructure needs, or improve stormwater management beyond standard requirements. The bill requires local governments to establish fair procedures for calculating and approving these credits. It directly affects builders and developers constructing eligible water-saving infrastructure, while political subdivisions implement the credit system. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 974 removes a restriction preventing school district teachers from serving on appraisal review boards, which are local bodies that handle property tax disputes. It amends Texas Tax Code Section 6.412(c) to explicitly state that teachers employed by school districts are eligible for these boards. The bill also creates a criminal offense related to violations of the new eligibility rules (though specific details are not provided in the text). As of June 22, 2025, the bill was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 1816 defines "miniature vehicle" as a small, self-propelled vehicle with four or more tires that complies with federal law and isn't classified as a golf cart, neighborhood electric vehicle, or street rod. The bill requires these vehicles to be titled and registered as motor vehicles under Texas Transportation Code, similar to standard cars. Owners may operate them on public highways only if registered/titled and capable of complying with traffic laws. The law took effect immediately after Governor's signature on June 20, 2025, applying to all miniature vehicles meeting the defined criteria.

Maddy summaryHCR 129 is a ceremonial resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of Austin Oaks Church, founded in 1925 by Swedish immigrants as the Swedish Evangelical Free Church of Austin. It recognizes the church's history, including its relocation to southwest Austin in 2002 and adoption of its current name in 2014, as well as its current ministries and leadership. The resolution formally honors the congregation's century of service and sends an official copy to the church as a symbol of respect from the Texas Legislature. This resolution has no binding policy effect and is purely symbolic.

Maddy summarySB 1804 requires courts to order defendants convicted of trafficking or prostitution-related offenses (under Texas Penal Code Chapters 20A or 43) to pay restitution for victims' tattoo removal costs incurred through force, fraud, or coercion. It amends Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to explicitly include "reasonable and necessary costs of tattoo removal" as a covered expense under mandatory restitution. This applies to all victims of these specific crimes, not limited to minors. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 260 increases funding for school safety in Texas public schools under the Foundation School Program. It raises the per-student allotment from $10 to $20 per student in average daily attendance and doubles the campus safety allotment from $15,000 to $30,000 per school campus. These changes apply to all Texas public school districts and take effect September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects school funding formulas by increasing state support for safety resources at both the student and campus levels. The policy change provides additional state funds specifically designated for school safety measures.

Maddy summaryHB 27 requires all Texas public high school students to complete at least one-half credit in personal financial literacy as part of their social studies graduation requirements under Education Code Section 28.025(b-1)(4). The bill directs the State Board of Education to develop a list of free, open-source curricula for these courses and allows Advanced Placement courses meeting specific standards to count toward the requirement. This policy change affects all public high school students in Texas, mandating practical financial education alongside traditional subjects like history and government. The law, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, is now effective immediately for all public school districts.

Maddy summarySB 7 requires the Texas Water Development Board to coordinate planning for water infrastructure projects to maximize use of existing utility corridors and minimize land acquisition through eminent domain. It mandates the Board to develop standardized specifications for water infrastructure, ensure different water systems can connect and operate together, and recommend building extra capacity during construction to accommodate future projects. The bill directly affects water project developers, utilities, and local governments working with the Board on infrastructure planning and financing. Key provisions include creating interconnectivity standards and facilitating collaboration between project sponsors and transportation/utility entities.

Maddy summaryHB 2802 amends Texas law to adjust population thresholds for firefighter retirement systems in certain cities, expanding eligibility to cover municipalities with populations of 450,000 to 500,000 (previously 950,000 to 1,050,000). The bill updates definitions and administrative rules for retirement funds, including terms like "actuarial accrued liability" and "amortization period," to align with revised funding calculations. These changes directly affect firefighters in qualifying cities by modifying how their retirement contributions and benefits are calculated and administered under state law. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after receiving final approval in June 2025.