Rep. Josey Garcia

Maddy summaryHB 3059 proposes a paid parental leave program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission. It would require employers with 50+ employees (or those voluntarily contributing under the bill) to fund the program, providing eligible employees up to 40 days of paid leave for their own childbirth or 20 days for adoption, spouse's birth, foster care, or kinship care. To qualify, employees must have worked at least 1,540 hours (or 30+ hours weekly) for the employer in the prior year. Paid leave would cover up to the lesser of the employee's average weekly wage or the state average weekly wage, with all costs borne by employers through mandated contributions. The bill is currently in committee referral.

Maddy summaryHJR 117 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow Texas lawmakers to create a property tax exemption for certain disabled veterans' primary homes. It specifically targets veterans certified with a service-connected disability rating of 60 percent or higher (or totally disabled), as well as their surviving spouses. If approved by voters in November 2025, the exemption would apply to property taxes for tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and would require the legislature to establish eligibility rules through future laws. This is a constitutional change requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.

Maddy summaryHB 2314 creates an exception to Texas' requirement that public schools maintain armed security officers on campus. It specifically exempts school districts located on federal military installations from this rule, as stated in the amended Education Code. The change takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year, applying only to schools situated on military bases.

Maddy summaryHB 1706 requires Texas public schools to include research-based educational strategies for children with autism or pervasive developmental disorders in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Specifically, IEP committees must consider all peer-reviewed, research-based strategies identified by education commissioners and document any exclusions with written justification. Schools must also provide parents with written information about these strategies in advance of IEP meetings, translating materials into the parent's primary language if needed. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and directly affects students with autism or similar disorders, their families, and school district IEP committees.

Maddy summaryHB 2058 requires hospitals with specific maternal care designations to provide supportive counseling and medical cooling devices (like specialized blankets or cradles) to parents and families following a perinatal death or stillbirth. It creates a grant program to help these hospitals cover costs for staff training on compassionate care and purchasing/maintaining cooling devices. The bill also establishes a hospital recognition program for facilities excelling in perinatal palliative care. These provisions directly affect Texas hospitals licensed under Chapter 241 that serve maternal care patients. The law aims to improve access to and quality of grief support services for families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.

Maddy summaryHB 1932 would expand property tax exemptions for certain disabled veterans in Texas by lowering the required disability rating from 100% to 60% for full homestead exemption. It directly affects disabled veterans with at least 60% service-connected disability compensation (or individual unemployability) and their surviving spouses, allowing them to exempt the full value of their primary residence from ad valorem (property) taxes. The bill amends Texas Tax Code sections to update exemption criteria and requires local tax authorities to apply this exemption automatically. It would take effect January 1, 2026, but only if a related constitutional amendment passes in the 2025 election.

Maddy summaryHB 2247 creates a specialized court program for individuals charged with family violence offenses who meet specific eligibility criteria. The bill establishes a court program integrating educational and rehabilitative services (including battering intervention programs) to help participants end abusive behavior, with courts required to dismiss cases after successful completion. Eligible participants would receive an order of nondisclosure for their criminal records, similar to a deferred adjudication dismissal. The program applies only to defendants with no prior convictions for certain violent or sexual offenses. This bill directly affects family violence defendants who qualify and courts handling these cases.

Maddy summaryHB 1966 requires the Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless to study housing needs for youth transitioning from foster care or the juvenile justice system. The study must examine homelessness risks for these youth, assess unique needs (including those who've been in both systems), evaluate state programs supporting transitions, and consult experts. The council must submit a report with findings and legislative recommendations by November 1, 2026. This bill expires December 31, 2026, and does not create new programs but mandates a policy review.

Maddy summaryHB 2362 would exempt teachers in Texas public schools and open-enrollment charter schools from paying sales and use taxes on certain educational materials they purchase. The exemption covers school supplies, books, learning tools, technology used for teaching, and other classroom items, but requires teachers to complete a new form describing how materials will be used. Teachers can claim tax-free purchases up to $500 annually for specific classroom tools (like learning aids), with the exemption form required to be available online by December 31, 2025. The policy takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies only to materials used for educational purposes in the classroom.

Maddy summaryHB 1963 requires Texas public schools to establish policies and procedures for addressing dating violence, directly affecting students, staff, and school administrators. The bill mandates disciplinary actions such as placing students in alternative education programs or expelling them for dating violence under Section 37.0052, and requires reporting certain assault or harassment incidents to law enforcement via Section 37.0151. It applies to all public schools, including charter schools, and aligns with existing education code provisions on bullying prevention, student discipline, and safety protocols. The legislation focuses on standardizing responses to dating violence through specific policy requirements rather than creating new penalties or funding mechanisms.