Rep. Armando Walle

Maddy summaryHB 2783 requires certain Texas counties to automatically enroll eligible county employees in the county’s deferred compensation plan (a retirement savings program) unless the employee opts out. Employees would contribute 3% of their pay automatically through payroll deductions to a default investment option chosen by the plan administrator, replacing the previous requirement for employees to actively consent. This applies to counties that choose to adopt the automatic enrollment policy through a commissioners court order, and counties must inform new employees about their participation options and responsibilities. Employees can later adjust their contribution amount, switch investment options, or opt out entirely through the county’s designated process.

Maddy summaryHB 2777 would prohibit the death penalty for defendants found to have had "severe mental illness" (defined as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with active psychotic symptoms impairing judgment or understanding of wrongfulness) at the time of a capital offense. The bill requires defendants to file a 30-day notice before trial to present evidence of this condition, which they must prove by "clear and convincing evidence." If notice is not filed, such evidence becomes inadmissible unless the court finds "good cause" for the delay. The law would directly affect defendants in Texas capital cases who qualify under this mental health definition, altering sentencing eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 2214 modifies Texas Property Code to clarify notice requirements for tenants in floodplain leased dwellings. It exempts short-term leases (under 30 days) and temporary residential arrangements tied to property sales (max 90 days) from mandatory floodplain notices. Landlords must provide written notices via lease addendum, separate document, or lease paragraph - signed by both parties - before lease execution. The changes apply only to leases entered into or renewed on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Texas to join the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, enabling occupational therapists licensed in Texas to practice in other participating states without obtaining new licenses. It establishes mutual recognition of licenses across states to improve public access to therapy services, particularly benefiting military families relocating between states and patients in border communities. The bill authorizes fees related to Texas's participation in the compact. This creates a framework for interstate practice while preserving each state's regulatory authority over licensure standards.

Maddy summaryHB 5380 would require counties to establish park land dedication standards for new residential subdivisions and authorize counties to collect a fee to fund park development. This bill directly affects counties (as local governments setting requirements) and subdivision developers (who would need to comply with park land provisions). The key mechanisms include mandating counties to define specific park land requirements for new housing projects and allowing them to impose a dedicated fee to cover park-related costs. The bill is currently pending in the Land & Resource Management committee after committee hearings in May 2025. (Note: Specific fee amounts or park size requirements are not detailed in the provided context.)

Maddy summaryHB 618 requires certain health benefit plans covering Texas governmental employees and retirees to include coverage for outpatient in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. It applies specifically to basic coverage plans under Chapters 1551, 1575, 1579, and 1601 of the state code. The bill mandates coverage for IVF when the patient and their spouse have at least five years of infertility history or specific medical conditions like endometriosis, tubal blockage, or oligospermia. Plans must cover IVF to the same extent as other pregnancy-related treatments, but only if the procedure uses the spouse's sperm. This policy change directly affects government employees, retirees, and their health insurers under these specific plan types.

Maddy summaryHB 421 creates new rules for deep fake generators (websites/apps that let users create AI-generated images/videos). It requires age verification before making explicit deep fakes (depicting real people in sexual or intimate acts), bans creation for anyone under 18, and mandates written consent from people 18+ depicted. Victims or their guardians can sue generators for damages, including mental anguish, attorney fees, and punitive damages. The law directly affects deep fake platforms and individuals whose images are used without consent, particularly minors and those targeted with non-consensual explicit content. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 660 sets specific caseload limits for Texas child and adult protective services staff and child-care licensing personnel, aiming to improve service quality. It requires caseworkers handling child protective investigations to manage no more than 15 cases at a time, family safety services workers no more than 10 cases, and adult protective services specialists no more than 22 cases. The bill also establishes call processing goals for the state's abuse hotline, mandating average hold times under 5 minutes and call abandonment rates below 25%. These requirements will apply to the Department of Family and Protective Services and related agencies, with progress reports due to lawmakers by December 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2614 regulates the practice of motor vehicle booting (placing devices on cars to prevent movement) in Texas. It requires booting companies to place a clear notice on vehicles at least 30 minutes before booting, including removal fees, contact details, and how to file complaints. The bill restricts booting to a facility's regular operating hours, with exceptions for residential properties, healthcare facilities, and government-owned land. Local authorities must create enforceable rules that include complaint procedures and penalties for booting companies violating these standards.

Maddy summaryHB 5290 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to transfer six specific parcels of state-owned land in Houston (totaling about 4.7 acres near downtown) to the University of Houston by December 31, 2025. The university must use the property solely for purposes benefiting the public interest of Texas, and ownership automatically reverts to the DOT if it’s used for any other purpose. The bill specifies the exact legal descriptions of each parcel, including locations along Milam Street and Interstate 10. This transfer is a direct property conveyance with no financial obligation to the university, focusing solely on land ownership change under defined public-use conditions.