Sen. Charles Schwertner

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 295) honors Russell Irvin deCordova, a Texas cattle industry leader and cutting horse breeder who died March 16, 2024. It commemorates his life, contributions to livestock and horse breeding, and his role as a respected businessman and family man. The resolution extends condolences to his family and directs the Texas Senate to formally record its tribute upon adjournment. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is a commemorative resolution.

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 summarySB 542 prevents homeowners' associations (HOAs) from fining residents for discolored or brown lawns during official residential watering restrictions imposed by municipalities or water suppliers to conserve water during droughts. The bill specifically prohibits HOAs from charging fines for this violation during the active restriction period and for a reasonable time afterward. It amends Texas Property Code to add this limitation, ensuring residents aren't penalized for unavoidable lawn discoloration due to mandated water conservation. This directly affects homeowners in HOAs subject to water restrictions and HOAs enforcing landscaping rules.

Maddy summarySB 1889 requires Texas public school districts to report annual vision screening data for students by grade, campus, gender, race, ethnicity, and disadvantage status through the PEIMS system, with results posted online by May 31. It creates a matching grant program to help school districts cover costs for glasses or contact lenses for eligible students who have vision disorders, are educationally disadvantaged, and lack vision coverage in their health plans. School districts must contribute non-state funds to match the grants. The bill, currently referred to the Education K-16 committee, would establish these reporting and funding mechanisms if enacted.

Maddy summarySB 1881 clarifies that the Secretary of State and Texas legislators who don't normally live in Travis County may use political contributions to cover rent, utilities, and other reasonable housing expenses for a residence in Travis County - provided these payments aren't prohibited elsewhere in the law. The bill explicitly states this does not count as "personal use" of funds under election code provisions. It directly affects the Secretary of State and out-of-county legislators who maintain a Travis County residence for official duties. This is a clarification of existing law, not a new policy change, and applies to housing expenses connected to public office duties.

Maddy summarySB 1880 creates a new 512th Judicial District specifically for Williamson County, Texas. This bill establishes the district's boundaries (limited to Williamson County) and sets its effective date as September 1, 2025, without altering existing court operations or adding new responsibilities.

Maddy summarySB 2025 requires electric utilities, cooperatives, and municipally owned utilities operating in designated wildfire risk areas to submit detailed wildfire mitigation plans to the Public Utility Commission. These plans must include vegetation management, facility inspection procedures, wildfire response protocols, and community outreach strategies. The bill allows utilities to self-insure against certain wildfire-related liabilities (like property damage or personal injury) if approved by the Commission, provided it's cost-effective or commercial insurance is unavailable. Utilities that follow an approved mitigation plan are shielded from liability for wildfires caused by their facilities, unless they acted intentionally, recklessly, or with gross negligence. The Commission must review and approve these plans within 60 days.

Maddy summarySB 1876 allows the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) to hire experts like consultants, accountants, or attorneys to represent the commission in regional electricity proceedings involving specific utilities. The bill requires the electric utility involved in such proceedings to pay the PUC's reasonable costs (capped at $1.5 million annually), with these costs recoverable by the utility through a special rider on customer bills. This applies to matters like utility relationships with regional transmission organizations, operational coordination agreements, or rate-impacting issues. The bill creates a formal process for cost recovery while setting limits on utility expenses and requiring attorney general consultation for certain hires.

Maddy summarySB 2872 requires that contracts between individuals and municipalities or water utility districts for reserving water or sewer service connections must include a specified expiration date. This bill directly affects homeowners, developers, and water districts that sell connection reservations for new construction or development. The key provision adds Section 49.2131 to the Utilities Code, mandating that such agreements clearly state when the reservation term ends. The legislation focuses on creating transparency in these contracts without altering connection calculation methods or service standards.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 258 is a commemorative measure honoring the late U.S. Congressman Sylvester Turner of Houston, who died on March 5, 2025. The resolution recognizes his career as a Texas state legislator, mayor of Houston, and U.S. Congressman, highlighting his dedication to public service in Houston's Acres Homes neighborhood and his work on health care, education, and community resilience. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups, as it is a symbolic tribute to his legacy.