SB 975
Eckhardt Bill Orders Heat Death Study, Report Due December 2026
Died in committee
Verdict: Smells
Why it's charged
Study, task force, commission, report
THE TEXT
…“shall conduct a study on the prevalence of heat-related deaths and the ability of counties to track those deaths.”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The only duty is to study the issue and report later. No tracking system, standard or help for counties is created now.
Study, task force, commission, reportInitial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to a study on the prevalence and tracking of heat-related deaths in this state.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Counties get no tracking system, standard or help. The study duty expires September 1, 2027.
The bill orders the Department of State Health Services to study how many people in Texas die from heat and how well counties track those deaths, working with the Dell Medical School at UT Austin. It touches the state health department, county officials and medical examiners, who may be asked to help. Nothing changes on the ground until a report with recommendations is due December 1, 2026, and the study requirement expires September 1, 2027.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Jan 29, 2025 and referred to the Senate Health & Human Services committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB975 · 2025-01-29
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to a study on the prevalence and tracking of heat-related deaths in this state.
WHAT IT DOES
Counties get no tracking system, standard or help. The study duty expires September 1, 2027.
The bill orders the Department of State Health Services to study how many people in Texas die from heat and how well counties track those deaths, working with the Dell Medical School at UT Austin. It touches the state health department, county officials and medical examiners, who may be asked to help. Nothing changes on the ground until a report with recommendations is due December 1, 2026, and the study requirement expires September 1, 2027.
CHARGES
[x] STUDY, TASK FORCE, COMMISSION, REPORTanalysis confidence 85%
THE TEXT
…“shall conduct a study on the prevalence of heat-related deaths and the ability of counties to track those deaths.”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The only duty is to study the issue and report later. No tracking system, standard or help for counties is created now.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Health & Human Services
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Jan 29, 2025
02/13/2025 S Referred to Health & Human Services
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Health & Human Services · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Education--Higher--Institutions & Programs
Health--General
Health--Other Diseases & Medical Conditions
Interim Studies
DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
STATE HEALTH SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Text
The text as introduced · 257 words
89R8087 KRM-D By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 975 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a study on the prevalence and tracking of heat-related deaths in this state. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "department" means the Department of State Health Services. (b) The department, in collaboration with the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, shall conduct a study on the prevalence of heat-related deaths and the ability of counties to track those deaths. (c) In conducting the study, the department shall: (1) determine existing resources available to counties to track heat-related deaths; (2) determine the resources necessary to assist counties in preventing, tracking, and reporting heat-related deaths; (3) identify barriers counties face in tracking and reporting heat-related deaths; and (4) gather any additional information necessary to identify factors contributing to heat-related deaths and criteria distinguishing a heat-related death from other natural causes of death. (d) The department may collaborate with medical examiners and other relevant personnel in conducting the study. (e) Not later than December 1, 2026, the department shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each standing legislative committee with primary jurisdiction over public health and safety a written report that includes: (1) a summary of the results of the study conducted under this section; and (2) any recommendations for legislative or other action. (f) This section expires September 1, 2027. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.