Rep. Cas Garcia Hernandez

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 13) urges the U.S. Department of State and the International Boundary and Water Commission to ensure Mexico complies with the 1944 Treaty on shared water resources. It specifically addresses Mexico's failure to deliver the required 350,000 acre-feet of water annually (averaged over five years), with a current deficit of 984,814 acre-feet. The resolution highlights how this shortfall harms Texas water users, including municipal, agricultural, and industrial sectors in the Rio Grande Valley, impacting reservoir levels and causing economic losses like the closure of Texas' only sugar mill. As a non-binding resolution, it formally requests U.S. federal agencies to take action but does not change legal obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 2413 allows Texas counties to destroy "sensitive media devices" (data storage devices containing information regulated by state or federal law, like personal records) that are classified as salvage or surplus property. The bill requires county commissioners courts to approve destruction only when it prevents inadvertent disclosure of protected information during disposal. It specifically amends Local Government Code Section 263.1521 to establish this process, effective September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects county governments managing data storage devices, providing a clear procedure for secure disposal without requiring new data collection or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 3195 requires senior retirement communities (defined as residential communities with at least 20 units offering shared amenities like security or dining) to implement specific safety measures. The bill mandates that communities conduct criminal background checks on their own employees using Texas DPS records, disclose in resident contracts whether service providers (like contractors) must also undergo such checks, and maintain a written safety policy for addressing criminal activity risks to residents. These requirements apply to all qualifying communities except healthcare facilities, boarding homes, or federally regulated housing. The law aims to enhance resident safety through transparency and proactive security protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 4398 requires municipalities with over 100,000 residents to process building permits for affordable housing projects using federal low-income housing tax credits within half the usual time allowed for residential permits. It directly affects large cities and developers of projects receiving these tax credits, streamlining approval for housing aimed at lower-income residents. The bill mandates that permit decisions must be made in 50% of the standard processing time, and allows applicants to use any existing accelerated review process. This policy change, effective September 1, 2025, aims to reduce delays for qualifying housing developments.

Maddy summaryHB 4659 allows 16 specific Texas municipalities (defined by population size, location in certain counties, or geographic features like Lake Palestine) to use hotel and convention center tax revenue for related projects. The bill amends the Tax Code to permit these cities to dedicate tax money collected from hotels and conventions toward construction, expansion, or operational costs of such projects. It does not create new taxes but specifies how existing revenue from these sources may be allocated. This directly affects only the qualifying cities listed in the bill, such as those with populations over 95,000 located near specific lakes or rivers.

Maddy summaryHB 4442 would require Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to offer an elective mindfulness course for all students in middle school, junior high school, and high school. The course must teach specific techniques to enhance focus, manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and build self-awareness and compassion. High school students would be able to count this course toward their elective credit requirements for graduation. The bill would take effect for the 2026-2027 school year, unless it receives a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers, in which case it would take effect immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 2695 increases criminal penalties for drug-related offenses when a social media platform is used to facilitate the delivery of a controlled substance. It applies specifically to offenses under Health and Safety Code sections 481.112, 481.1121, 481.1123, 481.113, 481.114, 481.119, 481.120, or 481.122. If proven at trial, using social media to arrange such drug deliveries elevates the offense to the next higher penalty category, adding five years to first-degree felony sentences and doubling the maximum fine. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and only applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 1581 requires Texas public school districts to report specific data about bilingual and special language programs in their PEIMS system, including student demographics, instructional model percentages, and students not receiving specialized instruction. It mandates new training for school administrators on bilingual education and dual language immersion programs through the commissioner of education. The bill also establishes requirements for the education agency to monitor these programs, review program requirements to prioritize student needs, and provide technical assistance to districts with deficiencies. These changes apply to all districts offering such programs and take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 168 prohibits marriage for anyone under 18 in Texas, eliminating the previous exception that allowed minors to marry with a court order removing the disabilities of minority. The bill amends the Texas Family Code to require county clerks to deny marriage licenses to minors and declare any marriage entered into by a minor void. This change applies to all marriage applications filed and marriages entered into on or after September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects minors under 18 and their families by ending the ability to marry with court approval under prior law.