Rep. Mihaela Pleșa

Maddy summaryHB 1730 requires the University of Houston to lead a study on how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (common in products like food packaging and firefighting gear) affect public health. The study must examine these chemicals in food and drink products, drinking water sources, and workplace materials used by firefighters and manufacturing workers. The University of Houston, working with Texas environmental agencies, must complete the study and submit a report to the legislature by December 1, 2026. The bill expires December 31, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3811, titled the "Coach Safely Act," requires youth sports associations (like school teams or community leagues) to mandate free injury prevention training for coaches and athletics personnel working with children under 15 in high-risk sports such as football, basketball, soccer, and cheerleading. The training focuses on practical steps to reduce serious injury risks during these activities. It specifically excludes athletic trainers, doctors, nurses, first responders, and other healthcare professionals with trauma training from these requirements. The bill aims to improve safety standards without adding liability to local governments or replacing existing medical staff at youth events.

Maddy summaryHB 4029 creates a supplemental retirement program for law enforcement officers already enrolled in Texas' Teacher Retirement System (TRS). It establishes "supplemental program service credit" for officers who hold a Texas law enforcement license and whose primary duty involves enforcing criminal laws. Members with at least 25 years of this qualifying service can retire regardless of age, receiving an annuity calculated using their highest five years of pay multiplied by a standard retirement factor plus an additional 0.5%. This bill directly affects current and future law enforcement officers in TRS who meet the specific service criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 3191 creates a franchise tax credit for Texas businesses that contribute to employee child-care costs and establishes an Employer Child-Care Contribution Partnership Program. The bill requires the Texas Workforce Commission to maintain a website with resources for employers on child care access, including tax credits, dependent care savings accounts, and best practices. It authorizes a state match for employer contributions to help fund high-quality child care for working parents. The bill directly affects taxable businesses making qualifying child-care contributions and their employee parents seeking affordable care. It also mandates a study on child care access and availability across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summarySB 1706 allows state agency boards to hold closed meetings specifically to discuss defense, military, or aerospace matters. It directly affects state governmental bodies (like local boards or commissions) that handle federal defense projects. The bill defines these matters as either establishing military bases/facilities in Texas or offering economic incentives tied to federal defense grants. The law amends Texas Open Meetings rules to permit this exception for those specific issues, without requiring public disclosure during deliberations. This is a procedural change, not a new policy on defense funding or facility location.

Maddy summaryHB 1142 clarifies which Texas government health benefit plans must cover mental health conditions and substance use disorders. It amends the Insurance Code to specify that the coverage requirements apply to "basic coverage plans" under Chapters 1551, 1575, 1579, and 1601 - such as state employee or public employee health plans. The bill excludes certain policy types (like accident-only or limited disease coverage) from these requirements. It also establishes enforcement mechanisms for evaluating treatment limitations in key categories like inpatient care and prescription drugs. The bill was enacted on May 14, 2025, after passing the Texas Legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 2308 establishes the Texas Commission on Border Security and Illegal Immigration as an advisory body composed of 11 members, including legislative leaders, the governor’s designee, and state agency representatives. The commission’s primary duty is to review the economic, legal, cultural, and educational impacts of illegal immigration on Texas and examine state and federal immigration laws. It will conduct this review through quarterly meetings and provide findings to the legislature, though it has no regulatory authority. The bill creates a formal structure for state-level analysis of border-related issues without implementing new enforcement policies. (Bill text: HB 2308, Chapter 330, Texas Government Code)

Maddy summaryHB 2048 establishes a refund program for beverage containers in Texas, requiring producers to fund a system where consumers receive money back for returning eligible containers. It directly affects beverage producers (who pay for the program), consumers (who return containers at redemption centers), and redemption centers (which process returns and issue refunds). The law defines eligible containers as sealed glass, metal, or plastic vessels holding drinks (excluding large containers, milk, infant formula, and medical foods), with redemption centers required to pay at least the container’s refund value. The Texas Beverage Container Recycling Consortium will manage the program under oversight by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Maddy summaryHB 1896 requires Texas public safety agencies to adopt mental health leave policies specifically for telecommunicators - emergency call center staff (like 911 operators) who handle critical public safety communications. The bill amends the Government Code to define "telecommunicator" and mandates agencies to create these leave policies by September 1, 2025. The policy would allow telecommunicators to take leave for mental health treatment without penalty, directly affecting their workplace rights. This is a policy change requiring agency action, not new funding or benefits.