Rep. Josey Garcia

Maddy summaryHB 5628 amends Texas Family Code Section 153.002 to explicitly state that "the best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration" for courts deciding custody, access, or conservatorship in cases involving parents and children. It specifically clarifies that this standard applies when government entities (like child protective services) file lawsuits under Subtitle E of the Family Code. The bill does not create new rules but reaffirms an existing legal principle for family courts handling cases involving state agencies. It directly affects judges, parents, and children in custody disputes where government agencies are parties. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5642 requires real estate license holders (like agents and brokers) to provide written notice to home buyers about transfer on death deeds during initial discussions about purchasing specific residential properties. The notice must explain what these deeds are, their benefits, how they interact with wills, and the risks of dying without one or a deed. It also clarifies how buyers can execute such deeds at closing and the title company's role in the process. This applies to single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, quadraplexes, and condo units. The notice must be delivered in writing via mail, email, or in person and include specific required content.

Maddy summaryHB 4458 establishes a temporary Texas Veterans Achieving Self-Reliance Pilot Program to provide free assistance to service members and veterans who separated from military service within the past year (including active/reserve U.S. forces or Texas military forces), plus their spouses and dependents. The program requires the Texas Veterans Commission to fund qualified veterans service organizations to deliver key services like job training, housing assistance, mental health care, and career education. Organizations must demonstrate prior experience serving veterans in Texas and access to military bases to provide these no-cost services. The pilot aims to improve post-military transition outcomes through targeted support, with implementation pending legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHB 463 automatically expunges arrest records for individuals charged with certain controlled substance offenses when their case is dismissed under specific conditions. It directly affects defendants whose charges are dismissed due to completion of court programs (veterans, mental health, or pretrial intervention), lab results showing no controlled substance was present, or dismissal due to lack of probable cause. The bill requires courts to issue expungement orders within 30 days of dismissal in cases where lab analysis confirms no controlled substance was found, and prohibits courts from charging fees for this process. This policy change removes barriers to clearing records for eligible individuals without requiring additional court petitions.

Maddy summaryHB 3618 requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to create policies governing searches of female inmates. It mandates that searches involving unclothed female inmates must be conducted by a female officer when available, and if a male officer must conduct such a search, they must submit a written report within 72 hours. The bill also limits visual body cavity searches (a visual inspection of genital or anal areas with clothing removed) to only "exigent circumstances" like immediate security threats - not routine program access like education or rehabilitation. These policies apply directly to female inmates in TDCJ facilities and must be adopted by September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4896 requires Texas water agencies to submit biennial reports on brackish groundwater desalination projects to state leadership, detailing progress, challenges, and funding needs. It establishes specific criteria for designating "brackish groundwater production zones," mandating salt content under 1,000 mg/L, natural separation from other aquifers, and exclusion of protected areas like the Edwards Aquifer. The bill also directs agencies to evaluate the state's role in supporting large-scale desalination development. This directly affects water providers and regions planning to use brackish groundwater to reduce fresh water consumption.

Maddy summaryHB 1675, known as "Mona's Law," allows perpetual care cemeteries in Texas to inter cremated remains of companion pets with human remains in specific ways. The bill permits pet remains to be buried in the same casket during human interment, placed in a separate adjacent grave, or stored in a columbarium beside human remains, while requiring cemeteries to include pet information on memorials. It defines "pet" as a domestic companion animal (excluding livestock) and prohibits euthanizing pets solely for burial with humans. The law applies to all perpetual care cemeteries in Texas and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3240 establishes the Texas Geothermal Energy Production Policy Council within the state commission to study and recommend policies for geothermal energy development. The council, composed of commission leadership, a University of Texas geology director, and up to 11 industry representatives, will analyze geothermal industry growth, tax incentives, and federal partnerships to develop a state oversight plan. It must make legislative recommendations by 2032, when the council expires. This bill directly affects geothermal energy developers and state regulators by creating a structured process for policy development, without imposing new regulations or funding. The council's work is intended to inform future state oversight of geothermal production, transportation, and storage.

Maddy summaryHB 1644 exempts individuals from certain drug law penalties when using, possessing, delivering, or manufacturing equipment that tests for fentanyl, its derivatives, or xylazine. It directly affects harm reduction organizations, first responders, and public health workers who use testing kits to identify these substances in communities. The bill adds a new exception (Section 481.125(j)) to Texas' Health and Safety Code, clarifying that testing equipment for these specific drugs is not subject to criminal penalties under existing law. The exemption applies only to equipment testing for fentanyl, alpha-methylfentanyl, or xylazine, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1967 requires the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) to create a plan modernizing post-adjudication secure facilities, specifically mandating that all living quarters for children committed to these facilities include restrooms and running water. The plan must be submitted to the legislature by June 1, 2026, along with estimated implementation costs. This bill directly affects TJJD operations and the 1,500+ youth currently housed in Texas’s secure juvenile correctional facilities. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and expires September 1, 2026, with no changes to facility construction or staffing.