Rep. Erin Gámez

Maddy summaryHCR 9 designates the first Saturday of every month as "Small Business Saturday" in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution, which does not create new laws or funding, aims to encourage Texans to support local small businesses. It directly affects all Texas small businesses (defined as those employing fewer than 500 people) by promoting community shopping. The designation expires 10 years after the resolution's final passage, per Section 391.004(d) of the Texas Government Code.

Maddy summaryHCR 98 is a Texas concurrent resolution urging Congress to improve coordination between federal, state, and local authorities in deploying Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) for border security. It highlights that current federal law restricts C-UAS operations to four departments (Homeland Security, Justice, Defense, Energy), preventing states from conducting drone detection or mitigation despite border threats. The resolution requests Congress establish joint training, information-sharing protocols, and funding mechanisms to enable state/local participation in C-UAS efforts, referencing FBI support and related federal proposals like H.R.8610. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but formally advocates for enhanced federal-state collaboration.

Maddy summaryHB 27 requires all Texas public high school students to complete at least one-half credit in personal financial literacy as part of their social studies graduation requirements under Education Code Section 28.025(b-1)(4). The bill directs the State Board of Education to develop a list of free, open-source curricula for these courses and allows Advanced Placement courses meeting specific standards to count toward the requirement. This policy change affects all public high school students in Texas, mandating practical financial education alongside traditional subjects like history and government. The law, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, is now effective immediately for all public school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 43 amends Texas law to update the definition of "agricultural business" in the Agriculture Code, explicitly including rural recreational businesses (like hiking or fishing on farmland) and nonprofit land conservation groups. It also revises the composition of the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority's board, requiring the governor to appoint nine members with specific representation: two young farmers/ranchers, two representatives from rural entities (chambers, trade associations), and others with agricultural lending expertise. These changes directly affect entities applying for the Authority's loan and grant programs, such as farmers, ranchers, rural tourism businesses, and conservation nonprofits. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, after passing both chambers unanimously.

Maddy summaryHB 2402 sets new rules for how Texas Medicaid pays for medical services. It requires that fees, charges, or rates for Medicaid-covered benefits must match the "usual and customary" rates in the local community, unless federal law restricts them. The bill also explicitly excludes fees from monthly membership discount programs when determining payments. This directly affects healthcare providers who accept Medicaid by changing how they are reimbursed, and beneficiaries who receive covered services through Medicaid. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1875 requires the Texas General Land Office, working with the Texas Veterans Commission, to study access barriers veterans face when seeking burial plots in state veterans cemeteries and identify ways to improve cemetery operations (including locations, maintenance, and other needs). The study must be completed by April 1, 2026, with a final report submitted to legislative leaders and committees. This bill directly affects Texas veterans seeking burial services and the state’s veterans cemeteries, though it does not create new laws - only directing a study to inform future action. The bill took effect September 1, 2025, and expires September 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 3016 restricts when rental companies can void damage waivers for rental vehicles. It prohibits voiding waivers unless damage results from intentional harm, unauthorized use (including by drivers under the influence, committing crimes, or using the vehicle for commercial purposes like carrying passengers for hire), or if the renter provided fraudulent information or failed to report a theft properly. The law applies only to rental agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing agreements. This directly affects renters who might otherwise face unexpected charges and rental companies operating in Texas.

Maddy summarySB 1353 creates a new regulatory framework specifically for pilots serving in Cameron County's navigation district, replacing standard statewide pilot licensing rules. The bill establishes a local pilot board (composed of Cameron County navigation commissioners) with exclusive authority over pilotage in the county's ports and waterways, including setting pilotage rates. It sets detailed qualifications for branch pilots, requiring U.S. citizenship, 30 months of relevant experience, local residency, and specific navigational skills. The law directly affects pilots seeking licenses, vessel operators using Cameron County ports, and the pilot board itself, governing how pilots are licensed, regulated, and compensated within this single county's jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryHB 1481 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt written policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day on school property or at school events. Exceptions allow device use for students with documented medical needs, individualized education plans (IEPs), or health/safety protocols. Schools may implement either a full device ban or a secure storage system for devices during school hours, and must return confiscated devices or dispose of them after providing parents 90 days' written notice. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 3680 modifies subdivision plat requirements in specific Texas counties (defined under Section 232.022) by creating exceptions for certain pre-existing land developments. It allows utility providers to connect land to water, sewer, or other services without a municipal plat certificate if the land meets strict criteria, such as having a completed foundation built before specified dates (1995, 1999, or 2005) and adequate sewer services installed. The bill authorizes counties to charge a fee for processing these exceptions and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance, while creating a criminal offense for willful violations. This directly affects landowners, utility providers, and municipal authorities in the designated counties, streamlining connections for older developments that predate current plat requirements.