Rep. Terry Meza

Maddy summaryHB 2033 creates a grant program to help open grocery stores in Texas neighborhoods with limited access to fresh food, called "food deserts." The program, funded using money from the Texas Enterprise Fund, provides grants to small businesses that plan to open grocery stores in these areas. To qualify, applicants must show significant planned investment, local government support, and financial stability. The bill defines food deserts as areas where at least 500 people or 33% of residents live more than one mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from a grocery store, with high poverty rates or low median income. This is a policy change to address food access by supporting new grocery store development in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a substantive bill. It formally commemorates DiscoverSTEM's Innovation Day at the Texas State Capitol on March 18, 2025, recognizing the organization's work with youth (ages 10-18) in STEM education, innovation programs, and patent development. The resolution extends the Texas House of Representatives' recognition to DiscoverSTEM and its participants but does not create any new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves solely as a symbolic expression of support for the organization's educational initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 2044 amends Texas Education Code to expand student expulsion grounds for firearm-related conduct near schools. It specifically allows expulsion if a student possesses, carries, exhibits, or uses a firearm within 1,000 feet of school property - significantly expanding the previous 300-foot zone for other offenses. The bill directly affects students who violate this firearm restriction, regardless of whether the conduct occurs on or off school grounds. Other provisions in the bill address drug use, violent conduct, and computer security violations within 300 feet of schools, but the key new policy change centers on the 1,000-foot firearm possession rule.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill prohibits state and local government entities from purchasing real property or entering contracts with foreign governments or companies from China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia. It specifically bans transactions involving entities headquartered in those countries, controlled by their governments, owned by their citizens, or directly linked to them. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are exempt from these restrictions. The law applies to all real estate acquisitions and government contracts under state or local authority.

Maddy summaryHB 1406 is a procedural bill that updates election code administrative requirements for primary elections in Texas, not a preferential voting system. It modifies several Election Code sections to: (1) require county election officers to report voting methods (e.g., in-person, mail) to the secretary of state, (2) clarify contracting for election services between counties and political parties, (3) set minimum hourly rates for election staff, (4) establish scheduling rules for elections, and (5) allow counties to use countywide polling places for primary elections if political parties agree. The bill directly affects county election officials, political parties, and voters by changing election administration procedures. It does not implement ranked-choice voting or alter how voters cast ballots in primaries.

Maddy summaryHB 1473 would require Texas' Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to provide monetary assistance and support services to relatives or designated caregivers (like grandparents or family friends) caring for children under DFPS supervision. Eligible caregivers must have family incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, with assistance capped at 50% of the daily foster care rate. Support services include case management, referrals to public benefits, family counseling, and child-care expense reimbursement for children under 13 (or 18 with developmental disabilities). Assistance is limited to the first year after the initial payment, with possible six-month extensions for good cause.

Maddy summaryHB 1352 requires all Texas law enforcement agencies to adopt a written policy governing when officers may discharge firearms at moving vehicles. The policy must prohibit firing at a moving vehicle unless an officer reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to prevent unlawful deadly force - specifically when a vehicle occupant uses the vehicle itself as a weapon to strike someone. This applies to all state and local law enforcement agencies, which must implement the policy by September 1, 2025. The bill creates a clear, narrow exception to firearm discharge in moving vehicle scenarios, focusing on officer and public safety during active threats.

Maddy summaryHB 1472 requires Texas driver's license application forms and related documents to be available in Nepali, directly affecting Nepali-speaking residents applying for or renewing licenses. It mandates that the Texas Department of Public Safety provide all necessary forms (including renewal applications) in Nepali and administer an alternate written exam in Nepali for applicants unable to take the English exam. The alternate exam must mirror the standard test but use Nepali for all instructions and written materials (except highway sign text, which remains in English). The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to applications submitted on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 1409 limits how long Texas inmates can be held in administrative segregation (separate confinement) by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). It generally restricts segregation to no more than three consecutive days for most misconduct, but allows up to 10 consecutive days if the misconduct caused serious bodily injury to another person. The law applies to all inmates in TDCJ facilities on or after September 1, 2025, regardless of when their offense occurred. This bill directly affects incarcerated individuals in Texas state prisons and changes TDCJ's confinement policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1471 adds Diwali and Dashain to Texas's list of optional holidays for state employees. The bill allows state workers observing these festivals to choose one day during each celebration as an optional holiday, similar to existing options for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Good Friday. It directly affects Texas state employees who practice Hinduism or follow the Dashain tradition. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and makes no changes to employee pay or work requirements for these days.