Rep. Erin Gámez

Maddy summarySB 2308 establishes a Texas grant program to fund clinical trials of ibogaine with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval as a treatment for opioid use disorder, co-occurring substance use disorders, and other neurological or mental health conditions where ibogaine demonstrates efficacy. The program provides state funding to public-private partnerships conducting FDA drug development trials, targeting organizations with capacity to lead these trials and seek FDA approval. Eligible applicants must be for-profit, nonprofit, or public benefit entities capable of conducting the required trials and future research. This policy change directly supports the FDA approval process for ibogaine treatment, without authorizing its immediate use.

Maddy summaryHJR 7 proposes a constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of Texas' state sales and use tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund. It would require that this dedicated revenue be allocated exclusively to water infrastructure projects, with new rules allowing temporary suspension during declared disasters. The bill would amend the state constitution to establish this dedicated funding stream, replacing current flexible allocation methods for water fund money. This proposal was reported adversely by the Senate Finance Committee with a 14-0 vote against in May 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 1470), not a substantive bill. It formally congratulates Dr. Pastor Alvarado, a Brownsville colon and rectal surgeon retiring in 2025 after over 40 years in practice. The resolution highlights his medical expertise, leadership roles in local medical societies, and service to the Rio Grande Valley community. It has no policy impact - only serves as a formal expression of appreciation from the Texas House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 1324), not a bill with policy changes. It formally congratulates Dr. Rose M. Z. Gowen on her retirement as a Brownsville city commissioner after 16 years of service (2009-2025). The resolution highlights her work as a physician addressing community health needs, spearheading wellness initiatives like The Challenge-RGV, and co-authoring projects including the Caracara Trails network. It was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on June 1, 2025, as a gesture of recognition for her contributions to Brownsville.

Maddy summarySB 2141 allows Texas to issue specialty license plates for current or visiting state and federal judges. The plates must display "State Judge" or "U.S. Judge" unless the judge chooses to have plates without that designation. The bill defines "state judge" to include justices of the supreme court, court of criminal appeals, court of appeals, district court judges, presiding judges of administrative judicial districts, and statutory county court judges. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies directly to eligible judges seeking these specialty plates.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds invasive visual recording (Section 21.15 of the Texas Penal Code) to the list of offenses requiring mandatory sex offender registration. It directly affects individuals convicted of recording someone without consent in private areas, such as bathrooms or changing rooms. The law expands existing registration requirements by including this specific crime under the definition of "reportable conviction" in the Code of Criminal Procedure. The bill was signed into law on May 29, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3483 amends the definition of "Issuer" in Texas law to expand which entities can issue public securities (like bonds). It specifically adds qualifying home-rule municipalities, conservation districts, transit authorities, hospital authorities in large counties, and counties meeting population or debt thresholds to the list of eligible issuers. This change directly affects these local government entities by clarifying their authority to borrow funds through public securities. The bill does not create new powers but updates existing definitions to include these additional organizations under current securities law.

Maddy summaryHB 37 requires hospitals with maternal care designations to provide bereavement counseling options and perinatal bereavement devices (which delay tissue deterioration for up to 72 hours after pregnancy loss or infant death) to families following intrauterine fetal demise, neonatal death, or stillbirth. The Texas Department of State Health Services must establish a perinatal bereavement care initiative offering hospitals training for staff on compassionate communication and resources like devices with maintenance support. This law directly affects designated hospitals and families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss in Texas. The initiative aims to improve access to supportive care during this difficult time, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 21 amends Texas Local Government Code provisions affecting housing finance corporations that develop or manage low- and moderate-income housing. It defines qualifying residential developments as those where at least 90% of units are intended for households with adjusted gross income below state-defined moderate income levels. The bill also requires these corporations to follow open meetings and public records laws (Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code) and restricts their development to areas within the boundaries of their sponsoring local governments - unless approved by those governing bodies. These changes clarify operational rules and transparency requirements for housing finance corporations serving low- and moderate-income residents.

Maddy summarySB 1080 requires Texas licensing authorities to issue either a full occupational license or a provisional license (valid for six months) to otherwise qualified applicants who have been convicted of certain offenses, instead of automatically denying their applications. The provisional license begins on the date an applicant is released from prison if they were incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This bill directly affects individuals with criminal convictions seeking occupational licenses (such as for nursing, contracting, or other licensed professions) who meet all other qualification requirements. It aims to reduce barriers to employment by providing a temporary licensing pathway for these applicants.