Rep. Mary Ann Perez

Maddy summaryHB 3063 allows Texas municipalities with populations of 1.9 million or more (like Houston) to treat violations of parking rules on single-family residential property (e.g., front/side yards in residential areas) as civil offenses instead of criminal violations. It authorizes cities to impose civil fines through administrative hearings for these specific parking violations, rather than using criminal penalties. The bill applies only to residential parking offenses in large cities and does not affect parking enforcement in public areas or smaller municipalities. It takes effect September 1, 2025. This changes enforcement from criminal to civil penalties for a narrow category of residential parking violations.

Maddy summaryHB 1738 repeals the criminal penalty for homosexual conduct (previously codified in Section 21.06 of the Penal Code). It simultaneously amends health education requirements in Texas schools to mandate that materials for minors include the statement that "homosexual conduct is not an acceptable lifestyle," while incorrectly referencing the repealed law. The bill affects public school health curricula for students under 18, requiring this specific language to be included in sexual education programs. The legislation passed the Texas legislature on May 16, 2025, and would take effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summaryHB 3726 amends Texas Transportation Code to clarify when drivers cannot pass certain vehicles on highways. It prohibits passing stationary or slow-moving vehicles displaying specific safety signals, including emergency vehicles, tow trucks, highway maintenance crews, utility service vehicles, municipal waste transporters, toll project vehicles, and vehicles using hazard lamps on the shoulder. The bill directly affects drivers navigating Texas highways by expanding the types of vehicles protected from passing maneuvers. Key provisions define seven vehicle categories that must be treated as stationary obstacles under traffic law, requiring drivers to yield. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 2983 sets specific fee limits for vehicle storage facilities in Texas, including a $20 impoundment fee, $20-$35 daily storage fees (based on vehicle size), and a $50 cap on notification fees. It requires annual adjustments to these fees each odd-numbered year based on the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation. The bill directly affects vehicle storage facilities (both private and government-operated) and vehicle owners who pay these fees. The bill failed to pass on May 15, 2025, after failing to advance to engrossment.

Maddy summaryHB 4337 updates regulations for pilots operating in Harris County ports, directly affecting Harris County port pilots and the board of pilot commissioners. It clarifies that a "Harris County port" includes areas in Harris or Chambers County connected to the Houston Ship Channel. The bill tightens conflict-of-interest rules for board members (prohibiting business interests that could affect their duties) and changes pilot certification rules, extending the renewal period from three to four years and requiring reappointment by a branch pilot for renewal. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3920 requires the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to create rules recognizing career and technology education (CTE) programs. These programs include high school CTE courses and similar offerings from colleges or private schools. The rules must specify how program completion credits toward licensing, define who can teach these programs, and set standards for classroom hours, practical training (including on-the-job credit), and ensure college programs don’t impose stricter requirements than high school programs. The bill affects CTE students seeking licenses in regulated fields and aims to standardize recognition across educational settings.

Maddy summaryHB 3365 amends Texas law to establish new requirements for contracts between the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and private vendors providing license plate services. The bill mandates that vendor contracts must include quarterly financial reporting, allow electronic systems compatible with DMV's registration system, and permit vendors to offer premium specialty license plates and home delivery (with an additional fee) for customers whose delivery address matches their vehicle's registered address. It also clarifies that vendors may recover standard county fees for handling specialty plates. The law directly affects the DMV, private vendors, and Texas vehicle owners purchasing specialty plates or using home delivery. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4524 establishes a Texas Airport Investment Partnership Program to provide below-market interest rate loans for infrastructure at general aviation airports. It directly affects eligible local entities like counties, municipalities, and airport authorities by funding projects such as runways, hangars, and safety improvements (excluding commercial carrier services). Key provisions include $10 million maximum loans for general aviation projects, a 10% non-state funding requirement, and a 20-year repayment term. The bill also prohibits loans to projects involving entities affiliated with China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.

Maddy summaryHB 178 requires Texas public school districts to include "ethnic studies, world geography, or world history" as one of the three required social studies credits for high school students, alongside existing mandates for U.S. history, government, and economics. It directly affects all Texas public school students in grades K-12 by modifying the social studies curriculum structure under the foundation high school program. The bill adds ethnic studies as a specific, mandatory option for fulfilling the social studies credit requirement, while maintaining other existing subject requirements. This change applies to all Texas public school districts offering grades K-12.