Sen. Lois Kolkhorst

Maddy summarySB 724 requires members of governing boards at Texas public universities to attend at least 75% of board meetings in person each year. Governing board members who miss this requirement face a $1,000 civil penalty for the first violation, and a second violation makes them ineligible for reappointment. The penalty funds must be used exclusively for student scholarships at the institution. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to all public institutions of higher education governed by such boards.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 304) formally recognizes March 20 and 21, 2025, as "Texas Federation of Republican Women Days" at the Texas State Capitol. It honors the Texas Federation of Republican Women (TFRW), a women's political organization established in 1955, for its work in educating voters, encouraging women to run for office, and supporting Republican candidates. The resolution extends a welcome to TFRW members attending their annual event at the Capitol during those dates. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding effect or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a Senate Resolution (SR 302) honoring Judge Richard Harold Meyer, Calhoun County's county judge who died November 18, 2024. The resolution expresses the Texas Senate's condolences to his family and directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It commemorates his service as a farmer, rancher, community leader, and Calhoun County judge (2019-2024), highlighting his 49-year marriage, family, and volunteer work with organizations like Hospice of South Texas and 4-H. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create policy changes or affect any specific group.

Maddy summarySB 714 requires Texas regulators and ERCOT to create new rules addressing electricity price distortions caused by federal tax credits for certain energy projects (specifically under 26 U.S.C. Section 45). The bill mandates that parties causing these distortions - like generators benefiting from tax credits - pay the associated costs (e.g., maintaining capacity during peak demand), rather than spreading them across all electricity users. It also eliminates existing pricing rules that adjust electricity costs based on reserve levels and the risk of power shortages. The rules must take effect by September 1, 2025, directly impacting Texas electricity market operations and pricing.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 265) symbolically recognizes March 21, 2025, as World Down Syndrome Day in Texas. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or groups, as it is a ceremonial gesture acknowledging the United Nations-designated day. The resolution encourages Texans to support inclusion for people with Down syndrome, referencing medical advances and societal progress. It formally declares the Senate’s recognition of this day at the State Capitol, aligning Texas with global observances.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (not a bill), designating March 17, 2025, as "Profound Autism Awareness Day" in Texas. It directly recognizes people with profound autism - a subtype involving severe intellectual disability, communication challenges, and high support needs - and their caregivers. The resolution encourages Texans to learn more about profound autism, citing CDC data showing it affects 1 in 4 autistic children and highlighting barriers like exclusion from services and underrepresentation in research. It has no policy changes or funding mechanisms, serving solely as an awareness measure.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 274), not a legislative bill. It formally recognizes Carl Idlebird, a Somerville High School band director, for his induction into the Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB) Hall of Fame. The resolution highlights his 30-year career leading the Yegua Band program, which earned numerous state competition awards, and his impact on thousands of students. It includes no policy changes, funding, or obligations - it simply commends him and provides a copy of the resolution as a gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summarySB 1949 provides a state tax refund for small Texas employers (1-50 employees) who switch from traditional group health insurance to an individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Eligible employers receive a refund equal to $400 per covered employee annually, capped at their total state business taxes paid that year. To qualify, employers must contribute at least the same annual amount per employee they previously paid for traditional group insurance (or the minimum required for any available group plan if they never had one). The refund applies to sales/use taxes or franchise tax, but excludes businesses claiming other franchise tax credits during the same period. This policy directly affects small businesses seeking cost-effective health coverage options for their employees.

Maddy summarySB 2054 requires Texas' education board to approve nursing programs offered by private colleges and for-profit schools before they can grant nursing degrees or represent credits as applicable toward licensure. It defines "nursing program" to include Associate (ADN), Bachelor (BSN), Master (MSN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. The bill mandates the board must determine that existing institutions cannot meet current nursing workforce needs, the school has adequate faculty/resources, meets public school standards, and has sufficient clinical placements. This applies directly to private and for-profit nursing programs seeking authorization in Texas. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1904 sets new timelines for residential eviction cases in Texas. It requires courts to schedule eviction trial dates between 10 and 21 days after a case is filed, and mandates that if a tenant defaults on an eviction suit, the court must issue a writ of possession immediately upon payment of fees - without requiring a bond or waiting for an appeal. Sheriffs must execute these writs within 10 business days. The bill applies only to eviction notices given on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), affecting landlords, tenants, courts, and law enforcement in residential eviction proceedings.