Rep. Mihaela Pleșa

Maddy summaryHB 3474 requires Texas public retirement systems with assets over $30 million to conduct regular evaluations of their investment practices and performance. Systems with assets of $100 million or more must evaluate every three years, while those with $30-$100 million in assets must evaluate every six years, unless pension liabilities reach $100 million during the cycle. The bill mandates that independent firms complete these evaluations and submit draft reports to the retirement systems for review, followed by final reports including any system responses. The law, signed by the Governor and effective September 1, 2025, applies to all qualifying public retirement systems in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 1041 amends Texas insurance law to clarify that caregivers at specific disability care facilities (such as state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, intermediate care facilities, and group homes) do not have an insurable interest in their clients' lives unless they are relatives. The bill explicitly states that non-relative staff at these facilities cannot be beneficiaries or owners of life insurance policies on their clients. This change applies to policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The law took effect immediately upon the Governor's signature on May 29, 2025, after passing both chambers unanimously.

Maddy summaryHB 431 clarifies that property owners' associations (POAs) cannot restrict the installation of solar roof tiles by explicitly including them in the legal definition of "solar energy device" under Texas Property Code. The bill amends Section 202.010(a)(2) to state that "solar roof tile" is part of the definition, aligning with existing tax code provisions. This change ensures POAs cannot impose blanket bans on solar roof tiles under their regulations, directly affecting homeowners and POAs managing residential communities. The bill is purely definitional and does not create new restrictions or requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 451 requires Texas child welfare and juvenile justice systems to screen children in state custody or under juvenile probation for risk of commercial sexual exploitation. It mandates this screening using validated tools within 45 days of a child entering state conservatorship or before juvenile case dispositions, if age-appropriate or concerns exist. The screening must be conducted by the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit under the Texas Government Code. Implementation depends on legislative funding, with the law taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 198, known as the Wade Cannon Act, requires Texas cities and counties that employ firefighters to provide free occupational cancer screenings starting in a firefighter's fifth year of service, with annual screenings thereafter. The screenings must include specific tests: urine, pulmonary function, electrocardiogram, infectious disease screening, breast cancer screening, blood tests, and chest x-rays (limited to once every five years). Political subdivisions may exempt themselves if they already offer annual occupational medical exams meeting standards set by the National Fire Protection Association and approved by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. The law takes effect June 1, 2026, directly affecting all Texas firefighters employed by local governments.

Maddy summaryHB 4 restricts Texas public school districts and campuses from obtaining exemptions or waivers for specific requirements, including graduation standards, school accountability measures under Chapters 39 and 39A, health and safety rules, and programs for special education and bilingual students. The bill explicitly prohibits waivers for federal mandates, essential knowledge/skills, class size limits (except as allowed by law), extracurricular activities, and other key areas listed in the legislation. It also changes the appeal process for challenges to the commissioner's decisions, requiring appeals to be filed in Travis County district court with specific procedural steps. This bill directly affects school districts, the Texas Education Agency, and individuals seeking to challenge educational decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas to create a property tax exemption for surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected conditions. Specifically, it would authorize the legislature to exempt all or part of the market value of a surviving spouse's primary home (homestead) from ad valorem taxes, provided the veteran died from a condition presumed service-connected under federal law and the spouse has not remarried. If a spouse moves to a new homestead, they could retain the same tax exemption amount as their previous home. The amendment requires voter approval in November 2025 and would take effect January 1, 2026, if approved.

Maddy summaryHB 1593 creates an advisory committee to study suicide prevention and peer support programs specifically for fire departments across Texas. The committee, composed of 8 members including firefighters, fire chiefs, and licensed mental health professionals, will examine existing programs, licensing requirements, and confidentiality issues. It must submit a detailed report to the governor and legislature by September 1, 2026, with recommendations on implementing such programs. This bill does not create new programs but directs a formal study to inform future policy decisions affecting Texas fire departments and their personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 2703 designates the month of July as "American Patriotism Month" in Texas, with no direct impact on individuals or specific policies. The bill requires state agencies and citizens to observe July through ceremonies and activities celebrating U.S. values, honoring historical figures (including Revolutionary War patriots, founding fathers, astronauts, civil rights leaders, and post-9/11 unity), and fostering national pride. It became law immediately upon the governor's signature on May 28, 2025, with no funding or regulatory changes. This is a symbolic designation, not a substantive policy change.

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.