Rep. Mihaela Pleșa

Maddy summaryHB 2341 creates a new system for awarding time credits to defendants confined in state jail facilities for felony offenses. Instead of "good conduct time," it allows defendants who actively participate in approved educational, vocational, treatment, or work programs to earn time off their sentence. The credit equals one day of sentence reduction for each day spent in these programs, but cannot exceed 20% of the original sentence and is denied for defendants with disciplinary issues. This change applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, replacing previous provisions (Articles 42.0199 and 42A.559(g)).

Maddy summaryHB 1203 creates a new "Office of Food System Security and Resiliency" within the Texas Department of Agriculture to coordinate state efforts ensuring reliable food access and preventing disruptions in Texas' food supply chain. The office will work with local governments, schools, and food industry professionals to develop regional food security plans, promote local agricultural production (farm-to-store/table), and expand food access points by connecting producers with retailers and communities. It must submit annual recommendations to the legislature by December 1 of even-numbered years and manage the existing Texas Food System Security and Resiliency Planning Council. The office must be established by December 31, 2025, and the law takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas farmers, food distributors, local governments, and residents seeking stable food access.

Maddy summaryHB 1819 amends Texas law to adjust matching grant requirements for community mental health programs serving veterans and their families. It requires grantees to provide local or private funds equal to 25% (for counties under 100,000 population), 50% (100,000-250,000), or 100% (250,000+ population) of the grant amount, depending on the county size where services are provided. The changes apply only to grants awarded on or after September 1, 2025, and require new state funding for implementation - otherwise, the Health and Human Services Commission may use existing funds but isn’t obligated to act. This bill directly affects community mental health programs seeking state grants to support veteran mental health services.

Maddy summaryHB 2618 requires 15 major Texas state agencies - including the Department of Transportation, Public Utility Commission, Texas Division of Emergency Management, and Texas Water Development Board - to develop and publish severe weather adaptation plans every even-numbered year. Each plan must include a vulnerability assessment, specific operational steps for severe weather, budget impact analysis for 2/5/10 years, funding sources, and a statewide monitoring strategy based on current climate science. The bill mandates consultation with the Houston Advanced Research Center and Texas State Climatologist during plan development. This procedural law focuses on preparing state agencies for increased severe weather impacts, not on direct funding or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 502 expands confidentiality protections for victims of specific offenses by redefining "victim" in Texas law to include individuals harmed by stalking, secret filming (invasive visual recording), or certain sexual assaults (indecent assault). The bill ensures that identifying information about these victims - such as names, addresses, or photos - cannot be disclosed publicly without consent, directly affecting those who experience these crimes. Key provisions clarify that the confidentiality rules apply to victims of these offenses and to anyone involved in the same criminal incident. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1686 protects victims of sexual assault, sex trafficking, or related offenses by restricting how evidence from their forensic medical exams can be used. The bill prohibits using such evidence to investigate or prosecute the victim for any offense they allegedly committed, and requires courts to seal all related property or material after legal proceedings conclude. Access to sealed materials is limited to the state attorney, defense attorneys, and experts qualified by the defendant, following specific legal procedures. These provisions aim to prevent retraumatization and ensure victim privacy during legal processes.

Maddy summaryHB 972 creates a property tax exemption for non-homestead properties serving as the primary residence of an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability. The exemption applies only when the disabled adult is related to the property owner or trustee within the third degree of consanguinity (e.g., cousin, niece/nephew). It provides a tax reduction equal to the standard homestead exemption amount under Section 11.13(b) of the Texas Tax Code. This exemption does not apply to properties already covered by homestead exemptions and excludes existing homestead-qualified properties. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, pending voter approval of a related constitutional amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 3240 establishes the Texas Geothermal Energy Production Policy Council within the state commission to study and recommend policies for geothermal energy development. The council, composed of commission leadership, a University of Texas geology director, and up to 11 industry representatives, will analyze geothermal industry growth, tax incentives, and federal partnerships to develop a state oversight plan. It must make legislative recommendations by 2032, when the council expires. This bill directly affects geothermal energy developers and state regulators by creating a structured process for policy development, without imposing new regulations or funding. The council's work is intended to inform future state oversight of geothermal production, transportation, and storage.

Maddy summaryHB 2249 establishes the Texas Teacher Recruitment Scholarship Program to support future educators. It provides up to $40,000 in annual scholarships ($10,000 per year for four years) to eligible Texas college students enrolled in teacher preparation programs at public or private Texas institutions. To qualify, students must be nominated by their university, agree to complete teacher certification, graduate within five years, and commit to teaching for four years in a Texas public school or charter school. The program limits new scholarships to 2% of Texas's current teacher workforce annually and allows unused funds to repay student loans if recipients earn degrees early. This directly affects prospective teachers seeking financial support for education and requiring service in Texas schools.

Maddy summaryHB 36, the Sharon Radebaugh Family Violence Protection Act, requires courts to mandate GPS tracking devices for high-risk defendants charged with family violence offenses as a condition of bond. The bill also establishes that defendants may be charged a fee to cover the cost of the GPS monitoring system and requires courts to collect data on bond conditions in family violence and certain other criminal cases. This directly affects defendants facing family violence charges (who may wear GPS devices), victims (who may receive related resources), and courts (which must track bond conditions). The law aims to enhance victim safety through stricter offender monitoring and data collection, without specifying new victim services beyond the data collection requirement.