Rep. Mihaela Pleșa

Maddy summaryHB 16 expands funding options for water infrastructure projects under the Texas Water Development Board. It allows the state water fund to provide financial assistance to local governments (political subdivisions) for specific projects like desalination plants (marine and brackish water), produced water treatment (excluding oil/gas exploration), aquifer storage, reservoirs with federal/state permits, and potable water reuse systems. The bill also clarifies that funds can be transferred to designated state water programs, including the state water implementation fund and water bank account. This directly affects communities and local agencies developing new water sources to address Texas' growing demand. The changes amend existing Water Code sections to enable these financing mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHR 481 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Dr. Richard C. Benson, president of The University of Texas at Dallas, for his leadership and contributions to the university and higher education. It recognizes his eight-year tenure, including fundraising achievements exceeding $415 million, campus development projects, and professional recognition from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The resolution has no binding policy impact - it simply expresses the Texas House of Representatives' appreciation and sends a copy to Dr. Benson as a formal gesture of respect. This is a commemorative resolution, not a legislative bill with operational provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 4343 restricts political expenditures made during and following a regular legislative session, creating a criminal offense for violations. The bill aims to limit spending on political activities by specific entities (such as legislators or lobbyists) during and after session periods, though exact definitions and scope are not detailed in the provided context. Without the full bill text, specific mechanisms like spending limits, reporting requirements, or penalty levels cannot be confirmed. The bill was filed on March 11, 2025, and referred to the State Affairs committee on April 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4289 requires Texas election authorities (such as county clerks) to make candidates' ballot applications and campaign treasurer appointment filings publicly available online within 10 business days of receipt. This applies to all election code chapters covering ballot applications (Chapters 142, 143, 144, 172, 181) and treasurer appointments (Chapter 252). The bill directly affects election offices, which must implement the online posting, and the public, who gains faster access to this information. It does not change eligibility requirements or campaign finance rules, only the timeline for public disclosure of existing filings. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4287 requires certain local governments (non-county, non-city, non-school district political subdivisions) to post specific election details on their public websites. It mandates posting election dates, candidate calls, ballot offices, filing periods, and candidate packet availability at least 150 days before an election. The bill also requires posting candidate names within 10 business days (for areas with under 10,000 voters) or 2 business days (for larger areas) after receiving applications. This applies to elections held on or after September 1, 2025, and aims to increase transparency in local election processes.

Maddy summaryHB 4340, known as the Laura Avila Act, requires social media platforms to include a clear, conspicuous warning in any paid advertisement promoting medical procedures or treatments performed outside the U.S. The warning must state that such procedures aren’t subject to Texas or U.S. safety standards, providers aren’t regulated by Texas or the U.S., and follow-up care may be difficult to obtain. It also mandates the Texas Department of State Health Services to create a public web page listing risks of medical tourism, including language barriers and lack of regulatory oversight. The law applies only to Texas residents and aims to inform consumers about potential dangers of seeking care abroad.

Maddy summaryHB 4258 would permit Texas' comptroller to invest up to $250 million from the state's economic stabilization fund in cryptocurrencies, and local governments (cities/counties) to invest up to $10 million each from their funds in cryptocurrencies. The bill defines "cryptocurrency" and "Bitcoin" for clarity and specifies that these investments must comply with the defined terms. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not require investment but only authorizes it under these limits. This bill directly affects state and local government financial management practices.

Maddy summaryHR 353 is a commemorative resolution recognizing February 25, 2025, as "University of North Texas Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It formally acknowledges the University of North Texas's contributions to education, research, and the Texas economy - including awarding 13,000 degrees annually and supporting a 480,000-alumni network. The resolution has no binding policy effects; it serves solely as a ceremonial gesture to honor UNT's history, academic programs, and community impact. This procedural resolution was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on March 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4033, the "P.A.C. Transparency and Accountability Act," requires political committees and certain individuals to report detailed campaign expenditures exceeding $100. It mandates disclosure of recipients' full names and addresses, dates, purposes, and specific details for loans over $50 - including interest rates, collateral, and guarantor information. The bill also adds new requirements for tracking electronic contributions and specifies that reports must identify candidates supported by direct campaign expenditures. This affects all Texas political committees and contributors making significant campaign-related spending.

Maddy summaryHB 4013 changes how property tax appraisal districts in Texas select their governing boards. It requires districts to divide into four single-member districts for electing directors (replacing a previous three-district system), increasing the board size to 10 members (four appointed by taxing units, four elected from districts, plus the county assessor-collector as ex-officio). The bill mandates that district boundaries must be revised after each federal census to reflect population changes, and requires directors to reside in their elected district for two years prior to taking office. This directly affects appraisal districts, their boards, and voters in those districts who elect local tax assessors.