Rep. Diego Bernal

Maddy summaryHB 841 requires most Texas employers (with 15 or more employees) to provide paid sick leave, accumulating at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked. Employees earn up to 64 hours annually (or 48 hours for smaller employers with fewer than 15 staff) that can carry over to the next year. The bill excludes state agencies, federal entities, volunteers, and independent contractors. Employers violating the law face administrative penalties, as specified in the legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 743 prohibits Texas municipal and justice courts from jailing people for failing to pay fines or costs related to minor offenses punishable by fine only (like traffic violations). The bill requires courts to first determine if a defendant is financially unable to pay before considering confinement, and mandates that defendants jailed for unpaid fines receive credit at a rate of $150 for every 8-24 hours served. It also explicitly bans imprisonment for contempt related to such fines. This directly affects low-income defendants in municipal court cases for non-serious offenses, ending the practice of incarcerating people solely due to inability to pay.

Maddy summaryHB 828 requires background checks and recordkeeping for firearm sales at gun shows in Texas. It defines a "gun show" as an event with three or more exhibitors charging fees for display or admission, and mandates that sellers must complete a National Instant Criminal Background Check before each sale (with exceptions for peace officers and licensed handgun carriers). Sellers may charge the actual cost of the background check, and promoters must notify local law enforcement 30 days in advance of events. Violations are classified as Class A misdemeanors, affecting gun show sellers and promoters directly.

Maddy summaryHB 792 aims to expand Medicaid eligibility in specific counties under the federal Affordable Care Act, targeting low-income residents who currently fall outside coverage. The bill would adjust income thresholds and streamline enrollment for these communities, though exact county lists and implementation details are not provided in the available context. It directly affects uninsured individuals and families in designated counties who may qualify for expanded health coverage. The bill was filed in November 2024 and referred to a health committee in March 2025, but the full text is unavailable for detailed analysis. Without the complete bill language, specific provisions or timelines cannot be confirmed.

Maddy summaryHB 814 would expand Texas Medicaid eligibility to low-income adults under 65 who qualify under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), directly affecting approximately 1.5 million Texans currently ineligible for Medicaid. The bill requires the state health agency to automatically provide Medicaid coverage to all eligible applicants when federal matching funds are available, without additional state eligibility screenings. It mandates an annual report to lawmakers tracking impacts on uninsured rates, state/local health costs, and hospitals' unpaid care expenses. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, pending final legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHB 781 requires Texas public school teachers and administrators to complete civics training focused on media literacy, objective discussion of current events, and classroom simulations of democratic processes. The bill prohibits disciplinary action against teachers who use state-approved instructional materials as intended and sets rules that teachers are not compelled to discuss controversial public policy issues, though they must do so objectively if they choose to. School districts may optionally incorporate student activities related to such topics (e.g., through extra credit) without requiring them. The bill directly affects public school educators and students across Texas by shaping classroom instruction on civic education and sensitive topics.

Maddy summaryHB 729 would prohibit housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in Texas. It amends the Property Code to add definitions for "gender identity" (an individual's gender-related identity or appearance) and "sexual orientation" (actual or perceived status as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual). The bill makes it illegal for landlords, real estate agents, or housing providers to refuse to sell, rent, or negotiate housing, or to impose different terms, because of these factors. It also bans discriminatory advertisements, false claims about housing availability, or inducements related to neighborhood entry based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This would directly affect housing providers across Texas by expanding existing anti-discrimination protections under the Property Code.

Maddy summaryHJR 66 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the state legislature to temporarily exempt income-producing tangible personal property (like rental equipment or commercial machinery) from ad valorem taxes. This amendment would not immediately change tax rules but would give the legislature the authority to create such exemptions for a limited period. The bill does not specify which properties would be exempted or the exact duration, only authorizing future legislative action. This is a procedural step toward potential tax policy changes, not a direct tax law.

Maddy summaryHB 693 would change how school districts calculate average daily attendance (ADA) for full-day prekindergarten programs. This bill directly affects school districts that operate such prekindergarten programs by establishing a new method for counting attendance. The bill specifies a revised formula for ADA calculation, which may impact reporting and funding tied to attendance metrics. The exact details of the new calculation method are not provided in the available context.

Maddy summaryHJR 68 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit school district property taxes on primary homes. It would allow the Texas legislature to cap annual school taxes on a residence homestead if the property qualified as a primary home for 15 consecutive years and school taxes on it increased by at least 120% during that period. The cap would prevent future tax increases above the level paid in the 15th year, though taxes could rise if the home's value increased due to qualifying improvements (like new construction, not repairs). This would apply to homeowners and their surviving spouses, with the amendment requiring voter approval in the 2025 election.