Rep. Josey Garcia

Maddy summaryHB 3125 requires the Texas Workforce Commission to create a geothermal energy workforce education and training initiative. The bill directs the Commission, working with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and educational institutions (including colleges, career schools, and public technical institutes), to develop customized training programs for geothermal energy jobs. Key provisions include establishing curriculum standards for degrees/certificates, identifying funding for training programs, and promoting school-industry partnerships for apprenticeships. This initiative directly affects Texas students seeking geothermal energy careers, educational institutions offering relevant programs, and employers in the geothermal sector.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided context, no substantive bill text or summary is available for HB 2433. The bill title indicates it relates to hotel occupancy tax collection by accommodations intermediaries (like online booking platforms), but the actual provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are not described in the materials provided. The "Bill Text" section states it is "not currently available" and directs users to a PDF that is also unavailable. Without the full text or a substantive summary, a factual description of the bill's policy changes cannot be generated.

Maddy summaryHB 4392 prohibits Texas insurance companies from denying coverage, limiting benefits, or charging higher rates to individuals solely because they are widowed or their marital status reflects a spouse's death. It applies to new insurance policies issued on or after September 1, 2025, but does not affect existing policies in force before that date. The law requires insurers to treat widowed people the same as married individuals for rate and coverage purposes. This change updates the Texas Insurance Code to eliminate marital status discrimination following spousal loss.

Maddy summaryThis Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1389 creates a grant program for Texas high school and middle school Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs to provide military funeral honors for veterans. The bill requires the Texas Commission on Military Affairs to establish this program, allowing JROTCs to receive funding after applying with details about training and spending plans. JROTC programs must partner with community organizations like ROTC units, Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, or honor guards to learn how to perform military funeral honors, which include military rites at veterans' funerals. To qualify, JROTCs must submit applications outlining their training sources and plans for using grant funds, including for equipment like air rifles if needed. The program aims to connect schools with veterans' families to offer these honors in communities across Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 4660 establishes that space flight activities in Texas fall under both federal and state jurisdiction, prohibiting counties, municipalities, or other local entities from banning or regulating these activities (except as specified in Section 61.132 of the Natural Resources Code). The bill specifically applies to counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico with FAA-approved spaceports and smaller municipalities (under 150,000 population) that have beach access plans. It requires advance notice to local governments for launch dates between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (to the municipality) or 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. (to the commissioners court), and allows temporary beach closures near launch sites for public safety during those dates. The bill does not create new regulations but clarifies local governments' limited authority over space flight activities near coastal areas.

Maddy summaryHB 3482 requires the Lower Colorado River Authority to conduct environmental studies before issuing permits for new quarries or mines located within specific zones: four miles of Authority-owned lakes, four miles of state park entrances, or two miles of state-licensed youth camps. This bill directly affects quarry and mine operators seeking permits in those designated areas, mandating confirmation that operations won’t harm protected resources. The law applies only to permit applications filed on or after September 1, 2025, with pre-existing applications governed by prior law. It creates a new procedural requirement for environmental review, not a broad policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 5618 creates a franchise tax credit for Texas businesses that cover employee expenses related to organ donation or provide paid leave for donation recovery. Specifically, it allows credits for costs like medical bills or recovery time if an employee donates an organ or recovers from donation within five years. The credit amount equals the lesser of the total covered expenses/leave value or the business’s franchise tax due after other credits. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, applying only to reports due after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 5626 would require private employers in Texas to provide employees with up to 90 working days of unpaid leave per year for organ or bone marrow donation or for receiving an organ or bone marrow transplant. It applies to employees (excluding independent contractors and public employers) who must give written notice to their employer before taking leave. The leave must be taken concurrently with any leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The law would take effect on September 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 5636 requires Texas public school districts to report specific high school performance data through the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) annually. It mandates districts to track and report: (1) students enrolled in the foundation high school program, (2) students pursuing the distinguished level of achievement, (3) students in endorsement programs, and (4) students who earned performance acknowledgments. The bill directly affects school districts and state education officials who manage student data reporting. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year, adding standardized reporting for existing high school achievement metrics without changing graduation requirements.