Rep. Mary Ann Perez

Maddy summaryHB 1772 increases penalties for drivers who disregard warning signals at railroad grade crossings. Specifically, it raises fines from $50-$200 to $100-$400 for operators who ignore a flagger’s warning at a crossing. The bill directly affects drivers who violate railroad crossing safety rules, particularly those ignoring flagger instructions. The change applies to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 316 creates a new criminal offense for tampering with motor fuel systems. It prohibits intentionally interfering with gas pump meters or unattended payment terminals, modifying these devices, or manufacturing/selling tools designed to manipulate them for unlawful purposes. The law classifies violations as second-degree felonies, with exemptions for authorized service technicians, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation staff, and law enforcement officers acting within their official duties. This bill directly affects gas station operators (by adding criminal protections) and targets individuals involved in fuel system fraud, while allowing legitimate maintenance work.

Maddy summaryHB 4905 reorganizes the Ship Channel Improvement Revolving Fund by moving it from a separate account into the state highway fund, as required under Section 56.002 of the Texas Transportation Code. The bill directs the comptroller to transfer the existing unencumbered balance of the fund to this new account in the state highway fund upon enactment. This procedural change affects how the fund is administered (by the commission) and managed within state finances, with the bill taking effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summaryHB 3134 establishes a regulatory framework for "advanced air mobility" in Texas, primarily affecting electric aircraft and vertiports (landing/takeoff sites for air taxis). The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to create an office for technical support, develop a statewide strategic plan, identify uniform planning standards for vertiports, estimate electric grid capacity needs, and provide guidebooks to local governments. It specifically applies to aircraft over 300 pounds capable of carrying passengers or cargo, focusing on electric vertical takeoff aircraft and urban air mobility infrastructure. The law aims to enable future air taxi services by standardizing planning and infrastructure requirements across the state.

Maddy summarySB 1809 creates a new criminal offense in Texas for fraudulently using, possessing, or tampering with gift cards, their packaging, or digital redemption data. It specifically targets individuals who intentionally alter physical or virtual gift cards, steal or misuse unique redemption information, or use counterfeit cards to obtain goods or services. The law directly affects fraudsters and protects cardholders, card issuers, and gift card sellers by criminalizing acts like altering card data, possessing stolen redemption codes, or knowingly using fake cards. Key provisions define "counterfeit gift cards" and prohibit actions such as tampering with packaging or transporting unactivated cards to retail stores for fraudulent purposes. This law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 1499 transfers the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center from the Occupations Code to Chapter 426 of the Government Code and establishes it within the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The bill defines key terms like "card fraud," "check fraud," and "payment fraud" to standardize how financial crime investigations are conducted across agencies. It requires the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt rules for implementing the center's operations. This legislation directly affects law enforcement agencies and financial institutions responding to fraud cases by creating a centralized hub for coordinating fraud investigations within the state.

Maddy summaryHCR 35 is a Texas concurrent resolution urging Congress to change federal tax law. It requests that spaceports be added to the list of facilities eligible for tax-exempt private activity bonds - currently available for airports, docks, and similar transportation hubs. This would allow spaceport projects in Texas (where the state ranks second nationally in spaceport locations and hosts over 2,000 aerospace businesses) to access lower-cost financing for infrastructure development. The resolution does not change state law but formally asks federal lawmakers to amend the Internal Revenue Code to support this change.

Maddy summaryHB 3319 would establish a civil service system for constable's department employees (including deputies) in Texas counties with populations over 3.3 million. Counties can create this system either through an election requested by at least 20% of employees or by a commissioners court order. If implemented, a civil service commission appointed by the constable, commissioners court, and district attorney would set rules for hiring, promotions, and employee classification. The bill also includes a provision creating a criminal offense, though specific details of the offense are not provided in the text.

Maddy summaryHB 1936 removes a specific provision requiring law enforcement to issue a citation for unauthorized use of disability parking spaces in Texas. This change directly affects individuals who park in designated disability spaces without authorization, as it eliminates the mandatory citation requirement for this offense. The bill repeals Section 681.011(f-2) of the Transportation Code, meaning officers will no longer be required to issue citations for this violation. The law applies only to offenses occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1080 allows Texas cities, counties, and other local governments to publish required public notices (like meeting schedules or public hearings) using alternative media - such as social media, free newspapers, utility bills, or homeowners' association newsletters - instead of traditional newspapers. To qualify, local governments must first hold a public meeting to prove the alternative media has greater circulation than the top local newspaper, then submit specific details (including circulation numbers) to the state comptroller. The comptroller will publish the notice on their website unless they determine the alternative method doesn’t meet the circulation standard or grant a waiver. This bill modernizes notice requirements while maintaining transparency through mandatory public input and state oversight.