Rep. Mihaela Pleșa

Maddy summaryHB 4960 regulates political text message campaigns by defining a "mass text message campaign" as sending texts to multiple recipients for political purposes with costs exceeding basic messaging expenses. It requires clear disclosures in such campaigns and imposes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per text message sent in violation, with each message counted as a separate violation. The law applies only to political texts distributed on or after September 1, 2025, affecting campaigns using mass texting for political advocacy. It directly impacts political campaigns, candidates, and organizations sending large-scale political texts, ensuring compliance with disclosure rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1597 requires county jailers in Texas to complete specialized training on interacting with veterans within the criminal justice system. The bill amends licensing rules to mandate that all jailers, including those already licensed, must finish this training program by August 31, 2027. The training program, developed jointly with the Texas Veterans Commission, will be integrated into existing jailer preparatory training requirements. This policy directly affects county jailers statewide, ensuring they receive targeted education to better serve veteran individuals in custody. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 349 creates legal immunity for people who enter a locked motor vehicle to remove a vulnerable individual (like a child under 7 or someone with a disability) or a domestic animal (like a pet dog or cat) from a car. To qualify for immunity, rescuers must first confirm the vehicle is locked or the person/animal cannot exit safely, reasonably believe immediate harm is occurring, notify law enforcement or 911 before entering (unless they are first responders), use only necessary force, and stay with the person/animal until help arrives. The law specifically protects ordinary citizens - not just police - from civil lawsuits when following these steps. It does not apply to livestock or cases where authorities advise against entry.

Maddy summaryHB 589 requires the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to establish an anti-trafficking unit, identify businesses in regulated industries impacted by human trafficking, and coordinate with law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations. The bill mandates TDLR to adopt rules for inspections and investigations related to human trafficking within its regulated programs. It also creates strict confidentiality protections, making victim-identifying information exempt from public disclosure under Texas law. This bill directly affects TDLR operations, businesses in regulated industries, and victims of human trafficking by adding new oversight and privacy safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 645 creates a statewide program to provide co-navigation services for Texans who are deaf-blind. The Health and Human Services Commission will operate this program, reimbursing specially trained co-navigators for helping individuals safely move through environments and access information using their preferred communication methods (like American Sign Language or protactile language). The bill establishes tiered reimbursement rates based on co-navigators' training and skill level in communication modes and mobility techniques. It explicitly excludes personal care, decision-making, or formal interpreting services from the program's scope.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas colleges, universities, and local governments to reduce electricity use by 5% annually for six years, beginning September 1, 2025. It applies to all public entities covered under the Health and Safety Code, including state agencies. Each entity must establish yearly targets to meet the 5% annual reduction goal. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 318 creates a grant program to provide financial assistance to sheriff's departments in rural Texas counties with staffing shortages. Counties qualify if they have a population of 300,000 or less and a deputy-to-resident ratio of less than 15 deputies per 10,000 residents as of January 1, 2025. The program awards $50,000 per qualified deputy position for the first year of funding and $50,000 per position annually thereafter, administered by the comptroller using state funds. Counties must apply within 30 days of their fiscal year start to receive grants for new deputy positions that meet specific criteria, such as deputies making routine traffic stops.

Maddy summaryHB 3326 requires Texas public colleges and universities to help adjunct and part-time faculty qualify for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Institutions must count part-time faculty hours at 3.35 hours per credit hour taught and designate them as full-time if they average 30 hours weekly. They must certify employment within 60 days of receiving a faculty member's application and provide annual written notice (by October 1) about PSLF eligibility to all employees. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing an occupation tax on financial firms regulated by federal agencies (like stock exchanges, brokers, and clearinghouses) or taxing their securities transactions. It directly affects entities such as stock exchanges, broker-dealers, and other registered securities market operators. The amendment explicitly allows existing taxes like sales taxes, insurance premiums, and general business taxes but blocks new state taxes targeting securities transactions or these specific firms. This is a constitutional change, not a regular law, requiring voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1887 allows adopted Texans and specific relatives (adult descendants, adult siblings, surviving spouses, or adoptive parents) to request noncertified copies of original birth certificates without a court order. To qualify, the person must have been born in Texas, make the request after turning 18, have a supplementary birth certificate issued, and provide identity proof. The state registrar will charge the same fee as for standard noncertified birth certificates. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, but the new access provisions won't apply until July 1, 2026.