Rep. Mary González

Maddy summaryHB 2275 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (specialized policies for high-risk or hard-to-place coverage) containing arbitration agreements must specify that any arbitration occurs in Texas and follows Texas law. It mandates that both the arbitration process and contract interpretation be governed by Texas statutes, applying only to contracts delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Existing contracts before that date remain subject to prior law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects insurers writing surplus lines policies in Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 1268 creates the Texas Technology and Innovation Program to help Texas businesses access federal funding for technology development. The program matches or supplements money businesses receive through federal small business innovation programs (like those under 15 U.S.C. § 638), specifically targeting eligible Texas-based companies. To qualify, businesses must be organized in Texas, maintain a Texas headquarters or facility, employ most workers in Texas, and already qualify for federal funding without concurrent state support. The bill outlines application requirements, including certification of eligibility and documentation of federal funding stages (like "phase zero" or "phase one" of federal processes).

Maddy summaryHB 1437 creates a state task force to address pollinator health, directly affecting Texas agricultural stakeholders, environmental groups, and public land management. The task force - appointed by the governor with members representing universities, nurseries, agriculture, pollinator protection, pesticide applicators, master gardeners, beekeepers, and wildlife experts - will study ways to incentivize pollinator habitat development, evaluate successful public education models from other states, analyze data collection methods for pollinator populations, and identify strategies to prevent habitat loss. The task force must submit a final report with recommendations to agriculture committees by October 1, 2026. This bill establishes a structured process for gathering stakeholder input and developing policy options, without mandating specific actions.

Maddy summaryHCR 113 designates El Paso as Texas' official "Boot Capital" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. The resolution recognizes El Paso's historical role in Western boot manufacturing, citing century-old companies like Lucchese and Tony Lama, and its cultural significance to Texas' identity. It does not create new laws or funding but formally honors the city's heritage through symbolic recognition. The designation remains in effect until the 10th anniversary of the resolution's passage. This is a non-binding ceremonial resolution affecting only El Paso's official designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Texas licensing authorities to issue provisional occupational licenses for six months to applicants with criminal convictions who are otherwise qualified for the license, unless they have specific serious convictions listed in the Occupations Code. The provisional license begins upon the applicant's release from incarceration if they were imprisoned. It applies to most occupational licensing fields (like healthcare or trades) but excludes applicants convicted of offenses under Section 53.021(a). The bill provides a pathway for certain applicants to obtain licenses without full revocation of eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 333 amends Texas law to explicitly include the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribe among tribes authorized to commission peace officers. The bill adds the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo to Article 2A.003(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, allowing its tribal council to employ and commission peace officers who can enforce state law within the tribe's reservation. This change directly affects the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo by expanding its existing authority to employ tribal peace officers. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter existing enforcement powers for other tribes like the Alabama-Coushatta or Kickapoo Traditional Tribe.

Maddy summaryHB 1277 requires the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to annually study all plant disease and pest outbreaks in Texas, tracking their duration, resolution methods, and relevant details. The service must publish yearly reports online by January 1 and submit a comprehensive policy recommendations report by January 1, 2028. This bill directly affects Texas agricultural producers and the Extension Service, which will conduct the studies and reporting. The law expires January 31, 2028, and passed the Texas Legislature on May 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1781 establishes the Texas Livestock and Rodeo Education and Continuation Grant Program to provide funding for educational initiatives related to livestock and rodeos. The program is administered by a newly created board appointed by the governor, requiring members to have specific experience in rodeos or county fairs and to represent different regions of Texas. Funding comes from a dedicated fund that can receive state appropriations, gifts, or interest earnings, but cannot be used for general state purposes. This bill directly affects Texas organizations like rodeo associations, county fairs, 4-H programs, and Future Farmers of America (FFA) that may apply for these grants.

Maddy summaryHB 1269 creates a grant program administered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to fund research on plant disease and pest prevention. It provides grants to researchers at Texas institutions of higher education who meet specific eligibility requirements, including letters of support from their institution, local community representatives, and a state elected official. The program limits grants to 20 per year, prioritizes statewide regional diversity, and requires funds to be distributed by September 1 annually. Funding comes from gifts, grants, interest, and legislative appropriations deposited into a dedicated fund, with the bill taking effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2777 would prohibit the death penalty for defendants found to have had "severe mental illness" (defined as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with active psychotic symptoms impairing judgment or understanding of wrongfulness) at the time of a capital offense. The bill requires defendants to file a 30-day notice before trial to present evidence of this condition, which they must prove by "clear and convincing evidence." If notice is not filed, such evidence becomes inadmissible unless the court finds "good cause" for the delay. The law would directly affect defendants in Texas capital cases who qualify under this mental health definition, altering sentencing eligibility.