Rep. Erin Gámez

Maddy summaryHB 2161 requires Texas law enforcement to report specific information to the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) within one business day when a person is placed in emergency detention under Chapter 573 of the Health and Safety Code. The bill defines "federal prohibited person information" to include individuals released from such detention who are federally barred from firearm possession under federal law. This applies directly to people recently released from emergency mental health detention under Chapter 573 who face federal firearm restrictions. The key mechanism mandates peace officers to immediately notify the Texas Department of Public Safety, which then forwards the data to the FBI for NICS inclusion.

Maddy summaryHB 1932 would expand property tax exemptions for certain disabled veterans in Texas by lowering the required disability rating from 100% to 60% for full homestead exemption. It directly affects disabled veterans with at least 60% service-connected disability compensation (or individual unemployability) and their surviving spouses, allowing them to exempt the full value of their primary residence from ad valorem (property) taxes. The bill amends Texas Tax Code sections to update exemption criteria and requires local tax authorities to apply this exemption automatically. It would take effect January 1, 2026, but only if a related constitutional amendment passes in the 2025 election.

Maddy summaryHB 1432 prevents homeowner associations (HOAs) from banning or restricting specific water- and eco-friendly landscaping practices in their rules. It directly affects HOAs and homeowners by prohibiting restrictions on composting vegetation, installing rain barrels or rainwater systems, using efficient drip irrigation, and choosing drought-resistant or water-conserving turf instead of traditional grass. The bill allows HOAs to still regulate details like composting device placement, rain barrel color, or gravel use, but not the core conservation practices themselves. This changes how HOAs can enforce landscaping rules to support water conservation.

Maddy summaryHB 1467 requires Texas assisted living facilities to maintain and file health and safety plans with the state, including emergency power plans for 72-hour outages to support medical equipment. It creates a statewide database for emergency response agencies to access these plans, while allowing fines for facilities that fail to submit required plans or comply with rules. The bill directly affects licensed assisted living facilities across Texas and ensures their emergency plans are coordinated with local emergency management. Key provisions include mandating emergency generators with sufficient fuel and protecting resident data in the database.

Maddy summaryHB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia and related disorders. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and other eligible organizations for research into dementia causes, prevention strategies, treatments, and symptom mitigation. It establishes oversight committees to manage grants, ensure compliance, and requires annual public reports detailing funded projects and recipients. The institute is set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless extended under Texas Sunset Act procedures.

Maddy summaryHJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. The bill would transfer $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026, for research, prevention, and treatment of dementia and related disorders. The institute would award grants to Texas research institutions, medical facilities, and collaboratives to develop treatments, prevention programs, and address access to care. This initiative directly affects Texans living with dementia and their families, as well as researchers and healthcare providers in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1114 amends Texas public school accountability rules to specify three domains of performance metrics schools must use. It requires districts and campuses to measure student achievement through standardized test results (like STAAR), college readiness benchmarks (such as TSI scores), and additional high school indicators like dual credit completion, advanced placement success, industry certifications, and military enlistment. The bill directly affects all Texas public schools and their accountability ratings under state law. These changes would update how schools are evaluated based on concrete student outcomes rather than previous metrics.

Maddy summaryHB 1138 amends Texas law to clarify that municipalities and counties may regulate or prohibit firearms on library premises. It directly affects local governments (cities/counties) and library patrons, particularly those carrying firearms. The key provision allows local authorities to ban firearms in libraries but explicitly exempts licensed carry permit holders under Texas Penal Code §46.15 or Occupations Code §1702. This bill clarifies existing local authority without creating new restrictions, focusing on library-specific rules while preserving legal carry rights for permitted individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 1125 prohibits governmental agencies from including settlement agreement terms that prevent disclosing factual information about sexual assault or sex discrimination claims (e.g., harassment or unlawful employment practices) between the agency and an employee. It specifically bans non-disclosure clauses for factual details unless the employee requests them, making such terms void and unenforceable. However, the bill allows settlements to keep the payment amount confidential. This applies only to agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025, and covers claims involving sexual assault (per Penal Code §22.011/22.021) or sex-based employment violations (per Labor Code §21.055). The law aims to ensure transparency in settlements while protecting employee privacy regarding settlement sums.

Maddy summaryHB 749 requires food service establishments in Texas serving shrimp imported from outside the U.S. to provide customers with a notice about the shrimp's origin. This notice must be displayed either on menus or in a visible area of the establishment. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, but businesses have until March 1, 2026, to comply. It directly affects restaurants and food venues serving imported shrimp, mandating transparency about the shrimp's import source without altering import regulations.