Rep. Diego Bernal

Maddy summarySB 5 allocates over $290 million from Texas' economic stabilization fund to support disaster response and preparedness following a July 2025 flood declaration. It provides $200 million for FEMA matching funds and statewide disaster needs, $50 million for flood warning systems in 30 specific counties affected by the July flood, $24 million to improve weather forecasting accuracy, and $20 million for a swift water training facility for first responders. The funding targets local governments, emergency services, and meteorological systems to address immediate flood recovery and enhance future disaster management. The bill became effective immediately after the governor signed it on September 18, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1, the Youth CAMPER Act, requires youth camp operators to submit updated plans when altering camp boundaries, building new cabins, or renovating existing cabins that change bed counts or access points. It also mandates the state health department to establish minimum staff-to-camper ratios for overnight stays at youth camps. The bill authorizes penalties for noncompliance but does not specify penalty amounts in the provided text. This law directly affects licensed youth camps operating on a boarding or overnight basis in Texas, focusing on physical safety planning and staffing standards.

Maddy summaryHR 86 is a commemorative resolution honoring the 13 victims of the June 11-12, 2025, catastrophic flooding in San Antonio, Texas. It specifically names the victims - Esther Chung, Derwin Anderson, Martha De La Torre Rangel, Josue Pina De La Torre, Victor Manuel Macias Castro, Rudy Garza, Cristine Gonzalez, Stevie Richards, Andrew Sanchez, Matthew Tufono, Brett Riley, Carlos Valdez III, and Roseann Cobb - and expresses the Texas House of Representatives' condolences to their families. The resolution serves as a symbolic tribute to the victims' lives and the community's response to the tragedy, with no policy changes or funding mechanisms. It was adopted by the Texas House on September 2, 2025, as part of memorial efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 5 allocates $324 million in supplemental funds from Texas' economic stabilization fund for disaster relief and preparedness. It provides $200 million to match federal disaster aid and support state disaster funds, $50 million for flood warning systems and equipment in 27 counties affected by a July 2025 flood declaration, and $24 million to improve weather forecasting and flood management in the Texas Hill Country. An additional $50 million is contingent on passing related legislation about emergency communication systems. The bill directly affects local governments in designated counties and state agencies managing disaster response.

Maddy summaryHB 27 requires all Texas public high school students to complete at least one-half credit in personal financial literacy as part of their social studies graduation requirements under Education Code Section 28.025(b-1)(4). The bill directs the State Board of Education to develop a list of free, open-source curricula for these courses and allows Advanced Placement courses meeting specific standards to count toward the requirement. This policy change affects all public high school students in Texas, mandating practical financial education alongside traditional subjects like history and government. The law, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, is now effective immediately for all public school districts.

Maddy summarySB 243 increases civil penalties for violations of migrant labor housing regulations by reducing the minimum fine from $200 to $50 per person per day. It directly affects housing facility operators who fail to meet safety standards and qualifying migrant agricultural workers who live in those facilities. The bill adds a new provision allowing workers to sue for fines if they submit a complaint, live in the facility, and are not on an H-2A visa. It also specifies that enforcement actions cannot proceed while other legal processes (like inspections or relocation) are pending for the same facility. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2598 amends Texas Education Code to clarify who qualifies as a "mental health professional" for school services. It explicitly includes school psychologists (as defined in the Occupations Code) alongside other licensed providers like clinical social workers and licensed counselors. The bill also creates a task force to advise on school mental health services, requiring specific representation from parents, school administrators, and mental health professionals. This directly affects school psychologists, mental health service providers, and school districts implementing these services. The changes took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 226 allows parents or guardians of children in parental child safety placement agreements (where parents temporarily place children with others under Texas Family Code) to establish school residency using a Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) letter. This letter must confirm the child's residence address within a school district and include specific language stating it serves as proof for public school enrollment. The bill amends the Education Code (Section 25.001(c-3)) to create this new residency verification method, replacing older processes. It applies to agreements executed on or after the bill’s effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed immediately), affecting school districts, children in these agreements, and their families.

Maddy summaryHB 2894 creates a state-funded "disabled veteran assistance payment" for Texas local governments that grant property tax relief to disabled veterans and experience significant revenue loss. It specifically applies to municipalities adjacent to U.S. military installations or counties containing such installations, with eligibility based on losing at least 2% of their general fund revenue (or 10% for larger municipalities with populations between 370,000-380,000 or 83,000-84,000). Local governments meeting these thresholds can receive state aid to offset the lost tax revenue starting in the 2025 fiscal year. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not change existing tax relief policies for disabled veterans.

Maddy summaryHB 426 requires Texas Medicaid and the Child Health Plan to fully cover the cost of a custom head device (cranial remolding orthosis) for children with specific head shape conditions. It applies to children with premature skull fusion (craniosynostosis) or children aged 3 months to 18 months with a flat or asymmetrical head (plagiocephaly or brachycephaly) who have not improved after two months of non-surgical treatment and meet documented head measurement standards. The coverage must be at least as comprehensive as for other orthotic devices under Medicaid. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.