Rep. Mihaela Pleșa

Maddy summarySB 650 requires retailers selling alcohol to verify customer age by scanning driver's licenses or ID cards with electronically readable information. It applies to all retail alcohol sales except on-premises sales at package stores. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, but businesses have until September 1, 2027, to comply, with no penalties for violations before that date. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission must adopt implementing rules by September 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 149, the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, regulates how businesses use artificial intelligence systems that capture or store biometric data (like fingerprints or facial scans). It requires companies to obtain explicit consent before using biometric data for commercial AI purposes, unless the data was publicly shared by the individual themselves. The law exempts financial institutions retaining voiceprints, AI training data, and systems used for security, fraud prevention, or investigating illegal activity. Violations result in civil penalties, and the law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 413 would have limited pretrial detention for defendants charged with Class B misdemeanors or more serious offenses, preventing jail stays longer than the maximum sentence they could receive if convicted. It required courts to calculate whether a defendant’s cumulative time in jail before trial exceeded the potential sentence for their offense, mandating release if it did. Exceptions included defendants undergoing competency evaluations or subject to Chapter 46B commitment orders. The bill was vetoed by the governor on June 22, 2025, and never took effect.

Maddy summaryHCR 127 is a symbolic concurrent resolution expressing the Texas Legislature's support for strengthening Texas-Taiwan relations. It highlights Texas-Taiwan trade reaching $25.5 billion in 2024, commends Governor Abbott for establishing the Texas Taiwan Office, and celebrates the 46th anniversary of the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act and Texas-Taiwan sister-state relationship. The resolution has no legal effect but formally acknowledges this partnership through diplomatic channels like the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston. It is a non-binding expression of support, not a policy change.

Maddy summarySB 991 expands Texas' definition of "students at risk of dropping out" to include those with chronic absenteeism or truancy. It requires public school districts to collect and report data on these students' attendance patterns, including unexcused absences. This law directly affects Texas public schools and students who miss significant school days without valid reasons. The policy change focuses on improving data tracking for attendance-related risks, without mandating new interventions.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 90) expresses Texas' support for strengthening economic ties with Israel and proposes establishing a Texas Trade and Investment Office in Jerusalem. It does not create new laws or offices but formally endorses expanding trade, technology, and cultural collaboration between Texas and Israel, noting Texas as a top U.S. state for exports to Israel. The resolution specifically supports the U.S.-Israel bilateral trade agreement and a proposed Texas office to coordinate with countries in the Abraham Accords or peace treaties with Israel. It directs Texas officials to share the resolution with the U.S. President, Israeli Ambassador, and Texas Consul General. As a symbolic gesture, it has no binding effect but reflects legislative sentiment.

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 2434 allows certain Texas state employees in the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERST) to purchase service credit for periods before their most recent hire date. It requires the retirement system to reset an employee’s official hire date to the earliest month they purchase credit, rather than using their current hire date. The bill also mandates that the retirement system calculate the required deposit amount without causing financial loss to the system. This change applies to employees purchasing service credit for prior employment periods and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 47 amends Texas law to strengthen protections for victims of sexual assault and related offenses. It updates the definition of "victim" to explicitly include minors under 17 and cases involving family violence. Key provisions require law enforcement to provide safety protections, mandate judges to consider victim safety when setting bail, and ensure victims receive timely information about court proceedings and forensic exam costs. For sexual assault victims, the bill specifically guarantees notification about payment for forensic medical exams and related medical care within 30 days of the assault. These changes directly affect victims, their families, and the criminal justice system handling such cases.