Rep. Josey Garcia

Maddy summaryHB 824 requires Texas public high schools to include specific civics content in their government curriculum starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates that the State Board of Education adopt standards covering the roles of elected officials (statewide, county, city), Texas voting processes and election laws, eligibility requirements for office, basic parliamentary procedures, and identifying local representatives. This directly affects all Texas public high school students and educators implementing the social studies curriculum. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1422 changes sentencing for certain sex offenses by prohibiting probation or parole for people convicted of 17 specific crimes, including continuous sexual abuse (Penal Code §21.03), sexual assault (§22.011), and trafficking (§20A.02). It applies to offenses involving child victims, aggravated cases, or those with prior sex offense convictions. The law removes eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, or parole, requiring full prison sentences for these offenses. This takes effect September 1, 2025, following gubernatorial approval on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 20 establishes Texas' Applied Sciences Pathway program, allowing high school students to earn both diplomas and industry certificates through school-college partnerships. It requires courses in 20 specific high-wage, high-growth fields like plumbing, welding, IT, and oil/gas exploration, with a focus on successful job placement rates. Partnerships must offer non-duplicative, progressive coursework leading to both diplomas and certificates in these sectors. The program begins for the 2027-2028 school year, with industries reviewed every five years to match labor market needs.

Maddy summaryHB 5308 clarifies and expands the authority of Texas' adjutant general regarding military facility management. The bill explicitly designates the adjutant general as the decision-maker for military force location, maintenance, and facility priorities across Texas. It grants the adjutant general formal authority as a "public authority" to handle all procurement, construction, renovation, repair, and maintenance of state-owned or leased military armories and facilities. This change streamlines decision-making for military infrastructure without creating new programs or funding. The bill took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1965 requires the Texas Veterans Commission to study ways to expand mental health services for veterans through its Military Veteran Peer Network. The study specifically focuses on increasing trained peer counselors in rural communities and must include recommendations for improving access to these services for veterans, service members, and their families. The commission must submit a final report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2026. This bill does not create new services but directs a review to identify potential improvements to existing mental health support for veterans.

Maddy summaryHB 2193 requires the Texas Veterans Commission to study how veterans access state and federal benefits currently managed by the commission. The study must count eligible veterans by county, assess current claims benefit advisor staffing levels, identify optimal staffing locations to minimize veteran travel, and calculate implementation costs for service improvements. The commission must submit a report with findings and recommendations to state leaders by June 1, 2026. This bill does not change benefit eligibility or amounts but focuses on analyzing and potentially improving service delivery efficiency for veterans across Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 49 limits legal liability for businesses and landowners handling oil and gas waste in Texas. It shields parties who treat or reuse this waste (e.g., for drilling operations) from tort claims related to subsequent use, unless they acted with gross negligence or failed to follow environmental rules. The law specifically protects those who generate, transport, or treat waste, including surface estate owners, but does not cover cases involving intentional misconduct or negligence. Signed into law on June 20, 2025, and effective September 1, 2025, it directly affects oil and gas operators, waste treatment facilities, and landowners managing such waste.

Maddy summaryHB 4202 updates Texas law requiring proof of identity for people acknowledging legal documents, such as property deeds. It specifies three acceptable forms of identification: (1) a witness's sworn statement if the witness is personally known to the notary or shows government ID with photo/signature; (2) the person's own government-issued ID with photo/signature; or (3) a foreign passport for residential real estate transactions. This affects notaries, attorneys, and individuals signing legal documents, ensuring clearer verification standards. The bill took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 107 establishes a statewide sickle cell disease registry under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 52B. It requires hospitals and other treatment facilities to submit patient data to the state health department, creating a centralized database of all sickle cell disease cases in Texas. The registry must include case records and additional relevant information to aid in treatment and research, with strict confidentiality protections for patients under federal privacy laws. The department will analyze the data, publish findings for medical professionals and the public, and submit annual reports to the legislature. This affects all Texas healthcare facilities treating sickle cell disease patients and ensures patient data is securely managed for medical advancement.

Maddy summaryHB 3629 prohibits individuals required to register as sex offenders under Texas law from serving on the board of trustees of an independent school district. It directly affects sex offenders who might seek or hold such board positions. The bill amends the Education Code to add explicit ineligibility language (Section 11.061(b-1)), requiring candidates to acknowledge this restriction and banning service for those on the sex offender registry. The law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 20, 2025.