Rep. Cas Garcia Hernandez

Maddy summarySB 1079 allows Texas counties to destroy certain sensitive media devices (like data storage devices containing legally regulated information) that are classified as salvage or surplus property. The bill amends the Local Government Code to permit commissioners courts to order destruction if needed to prevent accidental data disclosure during disposal. It directly affects county governments by expanding their authority over disposal of devices holding legally protected data. The key provision overrides standard disposal procedures (Section 263.152) specifically for devices where data maintenance or disclosure is regulated by law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1593 creates an advisory committee to study suicide prevention and peer support programs specifically for fire departments across Texas. The committee, composed of 8 members including firefighters, fire chiefs, and licensed mental health professionals, will examine existing programs, licensing requirements, and confidentiality issues. It must submit a detailed report to the governor and legislature by September 1, 2026, with recommendations on implementing such programs. This bill does not create new programs but directs a formal study to inform future policy decisions affecting Texas fire departments and their personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 37 requires hospitals with maternal care designations to provide bereavement counseling options and perinatal bereavement devices (which delay tissue deterioration for up to 72 hours after pregnancy loss or infant death) to families following intrauterine fetal demise, neonatal death, or stillbirth. The Texas Department of State Health Services must establish a perinatal bereavement care initiative offering hospitals training for staff on compassionate communication and resources like devices with maintenance support. This law directly affects designated hospitals and families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss in Texas. The initiative aims to improve access to supportive care during this difficult time, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 21 amends Texas Local Government Code provisions affecting housing finance corporations that develop or manage low- and moderate-income housing. It defines qualifying residential developments as those where at least 90% of units are intended for households with adjusted gross income below state-defined moderate income levels. The bill also requires these corporations to follow open meetings and public records laws (Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code) and restricts their development to areas within the boundaries of their sponsoring local governments - unless approved by those governing bodies. These changes clarify operational rules and transparency requirements for housing finance corporations serving low- and moderate-income residents.

Maddy summarySB 578 requires certain low-income housing developments that receive tax credits under Texas' 2026 or later allocation plans to install and maintain working exterior surveillance cameras at appropriate locations throughout the property. This applies only to non-rural developments and does not affect properties receiving credits under earlier plans. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, mandating camera installation as a condition for developments receiving qualifying tax credits. The bill directly affects developers and property managers of these specific housing projects.

Maddy summarySB 1080 requires Texas licensing authorities to issue either a full occupational license or a provisional license (valid for six months) to otherwise qualified applicants who have been convicted of certain offenses, instead of automatically denying their applications. The provisional license begins on the date an applicant is released from prison if they were incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This bill directly affects individuals with criminal convictions seeking occupational licenses (such as for nursing, contracting, or other licensed professions) who meet all other qualification requirements. It aims to reduce barriers to employment by providing a temporary licensing pathway for these applicants.

Maddy summaryHB 1939 creates a 4% credit for Texas school districts that prepay attendance credit costs under the public school finance system. Specifically, districts that elect to pay for attendance credit using a specified payment method and pay the full amount by February 15 each school year receive this credit. The bill directly affects all Texas public school districts required to purchase attendance credit under Chapter 49 of the Education Code. The credit applies after other applicable reductions and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Texas law to allow peace officers to execute search warrants for blood specimens in intoxication offense cases (like DUI) across adjacent counties, rather than being restricted to the issuing county. It also permits any law enforcement officer authorized to make arrests in the executing county to carry out these warrants. The change applies only to warrants issued on or after September 1, 2025, with existing warrants governed by prior law. It directly affects law enforcement officers and individuals suspected of offenses under Penal Code sections 49.04-49.08.

Maddy summarySB 455 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (for risks wholly located in Texas) include arbitration agreements conducted in Texas under Texas law, unless both insurer and policyholder agree to change the venue after the insurer provides written notice and a premium credit for added costs. This applies to new or renewed contracts on or after January 1, 2026, affecting insurers and policyholders purchasing specialized insurance for high-risk properties in Texas. The bill ensures arbitration venues and legal interpretations remain tied to Texas, preventing out-of-state arbitration without financial compensation to policyholders. It becomes effective September 1, 2025, but the new rules apply to contracts delivered after 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1277 amends Texas Tax Code provisions governing municipal sales and use taxes used for street maintenance, establishing different expiration timelines based on specific municipal characteristics. The bill sets expiration dates at 4 years for most cities, 8 years for cities with interstate highways (population ≥150,000 and 66% voter approval), and 10 years for cities meeting other specific criteria like airport proximity or a narrow population range (11,450-11,550). It requires reauthorization elections to extend these taxes, with ballots specifying the tax rate and expiration date. The bill directly affects municipalities that currently impose such taxes, determining when their street maintenance funding must be renewed through voter approval. This is a procedural change to tax expiration rules, not a new tax or funding mechanism.