Sen. Sarah Eckhardt

Maddy summarySB 763 amends Texas law to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to conduct a protectiveness review of standard permits for permanent concrete plants (performing wet, dry, or central mixing) at least once every six years. The review must assess air pollutant background concentrations, and if permits are updated, facilities get a reasonable transition period to comply. The bill also mandates that new permit applications include detailed plot plans showing property lines, emission points, benchmark locations, and setback compliance. This directly affects concrete plants operating specific batching methods, requiring updated application standards and regular permit reviews to ensure environmental protection.

Maddy summarySB 1574 creates a "Centers of Excellence" program administered by the Texas Judicial Council to recognize judges and justices who excel in community service and judicial representation. The program identifies eligible judges from appellate courts, district courts, county courts, justice courts, and municipal courts based on two key criteria: court governance (including access, fairness, and case management) and compliance with statutory requirements for reporting, security, fees, and fraud prevention. Judges may apply for recognition using forms prescribed by the council. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to recognitions granted under this program after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 621 prevents property owners' associations from banning residents from inviting governmental officials or political candidates to meetings in common areas. Associations may still enforce standard meeting rules like fees, occupancy limits, or reservation requirements for these gatherings. The law does not apply to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) associations. This bill, effective September 1, 2025, directly affects homeowners' associations and residents in Texas communities.

Maddy summarySB 835, known as Trey's Law, invalidates any nondisclosure or confidentiality agreement that prevents someone from disclosing an act of sexual abuse. The law directly affects survivors of sexual abuse who may have signed such agreements, making those specific clauses unenforceable. Key provisions state that agreements cannot prohibit disclosure of sexual abuse details (defined using existing Texas Penal Code and Family Code offenses), though other settlement terms like payment amounts remain valid. This change applies to all agreements entered into before, on, or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5323 creates the Texas Energy Waste Advisory Committee to coordinate state efforts in reducing energy waste and improving efficiency across key agencies. The committee, composed of seven ex officio members from agencies like the Public Utility Commission, ERCOT's independent operator, comptroller, and environmental quality commission, will meet quarterly to review programs and make recommendations. It specifically targets reducing electricity demand during high-risk hours in the ERCOT power region to enhance grid reliability. The committee will provide input to state agencies including the State Energy Conservation Office and Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1105 exempts paramedics employed by Texas cities, counties, or other local governments from tuition and laboratory fees at public colleges when enrolled in emergency medical services courses. This applies only to students maintaining satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate, and does not cover security deposits, additional fees for residents, or graduate-level surcharges. The exemption excludes distance education courses where more than 20% of enrollment exceeds the institution's designated limit. The bill, signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025, became effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 2761 amends Texas Penal Code sections to clarify that in trafficking cases involving children or disabled individuals, defendants cannot claim the victim "lacked mental capacity" or "did not complete prostitution" as a defense. It specifically targets prosecutions under Sections 20A.02(a)(7)-(8) (trafficking for prostitution) and 43.01 (prostitution), directly affecting prosecutors and defendants in these cases. The law removes two common defense arguments, ensuring traffickers cannot avoid accountability based on the victim’s mental state or whether prostitution was completed. This change applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025). The bill does not create new crimes but strengthens prosecution pathways for vulnerable victims.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 34) requires the Texas A&M Forest Service and West Texas A&M University to jointly study wildfire risks across the state, focusing on combustible material buildup ("fuel loading") in different zones and assessing economic impacts like property loss and mitigation costs. It authorizes an increase in insurance assessments on certain insurers to fund the Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Fund, directly supporting volunteer fire departments. The study will identify high-risk areas and evaluate whether wildfire mitigation investments protect property value. The law, signed by the governor in June 2025, becomes effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2601 creates a state program to compensate agricultural landowners and lessees for property damage caused by border-related criminal activities. It defines "border crime" as specific offenses involving transnational criminal activity (like drug trafficking or illegal border crossings) under Texas law. The attorney general will administer compensation for physical damage, debris, pollutants, or soil contamination, including costs to restore agricultural use. Insurance companies cannot factor such claims into rate-setting for policies delivered or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2781 restricts registered lobbyists (those required to register under Chapter 305, Government Code) from using political contributions they received to fund other political activities. Specifically, it prohibits lobbyists from making political contributions or expenditures to other candidates, officeholders, or committees using funds they received as candidates, from specific-purpose committees supporting them, or from committees that received funds from those sources within the previous two years. Violators face civil penalties of up to twice the amount of the prohibited contribution or expenditure. The law applies only to violations occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.