Rep. Cas Garcia Hernandez

Maddy summaryHB 854 requires Texas insurance companies to pay at least 80% of the estimated cost to repair or replace damaged or lost property (including homes, belongings, or condo units) within 30 days of a valid claim, minus the policyholder's deductible. This applies to homeowner, renter, and condominium insurance policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. After repairs are completed and the deductible is paid, insurers must cover the remaining balance. The law caps payments at the actual cost to replace property with similar items, preventing overpayment. It affects all Texas residents with these insurance policies who file claims for covered property damage.

Maddy summaryHB 3134 establishes a regulatory framework for "advanced air mobility" in Texas, primarily affecting electric aircraft and vertiports (landing/takeoff sites for air taxis). The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to create an office for technical support, develop a statewide strategic plan, identify uniform planning standards for vertiports, estimate electric grid capacity needs, and provide guidebooks to local governments. It specifically applies to aircraft over 300 pounds capable of carrying passengers or cargo, focusing on electric vertical takeoff aircraft and urban air mobility infrastructure. The law aims to enable future air taxi services by standardizing planning and infrastructure requirements across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 3358 clarifies who qualifies as an "emergency service provider" under Texas law for access to critical incident stress management and crisis response services. It expands the definition to specifically include law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services providers, dispatchers, rescue service providers, and staff from district attorney offices (like attorneys and investigators). This change directly affects these professionals by ensuring they are explicitly covered under the state's support services for trauma response. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Texas law to change how blood test warrants are executed for people suspected of driving under the influence (DUI). It allows any peace officer to carry out these warrants in counties adjacent to where the warrant was issued, and permits any law enforcement officer authorized to make arrests in the execution county to perform the test. The changes apply only to warrants issued on or after September 1, 2025, with older warrants following previous rules. This directly affects law enforcement officers handling DUI cases involving blood tests.

Maddy summaryHB 4670 strengthens protections for nursing facilities in disputes with Texas health regulators. It makes dispute resolution decisions binding (preventing the commission from overturning them), prohibits the commission from retaliating against facilities that appeal decisions or file counteractions, and prevents double fines for the same violation by limiting penalties under both state and federal law. The bill directly affects nursing facilities by ensuring their good-faith appeals cannot trigger adverse commission actions and clarifies that facilities won't face duplicate penalties for the same issue. These changes apply only to violations occurring on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5064 would designate a specific segment of U.S. Highway 67 in Dallas and Ellis Counties - between its intersection with U.S. Highway 287 and Interstate 20 - as the "Eddie Bernice Johnson Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway and at intermediate locations along the route. This is a ceremonial designation with no impact on highway operations, funding, or regulations. It directly affects the geographic corridor in Dallas and Ellis Counties but does not alter existing transportation policies.

Maddy summaryHB 5134 allows individuals to petition a court for permission to take a deposition (pre-lawsuit questioning) before filing a civil lawsuit, either to preserve testimony for future use or investigate a potential claim. However, it requires that the person has already suffered or reasonably expects to suffer real financial harm from the potential claim. The bill penalizes improper requests by making violators liable for the other party's attorney fees. This law directly affects people planning civil lawsuits who seek early evidence gathering, with key provisions taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 464 establishes a grant program to help counties address illegally dumped scrap tires. The bill creates a dedicated fund (using state appropriations, federal grants, and interest) to award grants to counties for three specific purposes: prosecuting violations of existing scrap tire disposal laws, educating the public about illegal dumping, and removing existing illegally dumped tires from waterways, public rights-of-way, and public land. Counties would use these grants to directly tackle tire litter that harms the environment and public spaces. The program becomes effective September 1, 2025, following its passage on May 10, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1441 requires school district peace officers and school resource officers in Texas to complete training based on a revised model curriculum. The bill mandates specific learning objectives, including child development, de-escalation techniques, mental health crisis intervention, and trauma-informed strategies to support students' behavioral and emotional needs. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement must update the model curriculum to include these requirements, effective immediately after the bill's passage. This change directly affects all school safety personnel in Texas who undergo state-mandated training.

Maddy summaryHB 1674 would ban the production, sale, and use of certain agricultural products containing PFAS chemicals (like pesticides or crop protectants). It directly affects agricultural businesses, manufacturers, and sellers of these products. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations, treating unauthorized PFAS use as a punishable offense. The bill is currently pending in the Environmental Regulation committee after committee hearings. (Note: Full bill text is not yet available; this summary is based on the title and pending status.)