Rep. Mary González

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 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 summaryHB 421 creates new rules for deep fake generators (websites/apps that let users create AI-generated images/videos). It requires age verification before making explicit deep fakes (depicting real people in sexual or intimate acts), bans creation for anyone under 18, and mandates written consent from people 18+ depicted. Victims or their guardians can sue generators for damages, including mental anguish, attorney fees, and punitive damages. The law directly affects deep fake platforms and individuals whose images are used without consent, particularly minors and those targeted with non-consensual explicit content. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 552 requires the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to study how to fairly appraise land used for beekeeping for property tax purposes. The study will examine regional differences in pollination, bee colony numbers, and the value of honey or other bee-produced products. This research, due by August 2026, will help determine future tax appraisal standards for beekeeping operations across Texas, directly affecting landowners who raise or keep bees.

Maddy summaryHB 271 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to prepare a report by September 1, 2026, on enrollment and success rates for students with disabilities in Texas colleges and universities. The report must identify enrollment numbers, barriers to access, supportive institutional policies, accessibility of disability services, availability of information about educational rights, and potential policy recommendations. This bill directly affects students with disabilities and public/private higher education institutions, which must provide requested data to the Board. The report requirement expires September 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 125 creates the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine as a new academic unit within Tarleton State University. The bill establishes that the college will operate under the oversight of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, offer osteopathic medicine degrees under Tarleton's authority, and partner with public or private teaching hospitals. This legislation directly affects Tarleton State University students seeking osteopathic medicine degrees and expands Texas' network of medical education institutions. The bill amends Texas Education Code to formally include the new college in the state's list of authorized medical and dental programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1276 requires the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to study how Texas identifies, reports, and responds to plant disease or pest outbreaks. The study will examine current systems for detecting outbreaks and containing them, including how the state is notified. By December 1, 2026, the service must submit a report with recommendations to improve these systems to the governor, legislature, and agriculture commissioner. The bill expires September 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 499 requires social media platforms operating in Texas to display a mandatory warning label on their landing page each time a user opens the platform. The warning must address the association between minors' social media usage and significant mental health issues, and users must verify they understand it before accessing the platform. Social media platforms must comply by April 1, 2026, after the Health and Human Services Commission adopts rules for the warning's content and format. The bill directly affects all social media platforms operating in Texas that serve minors, with no exemption for platforms meeting the deadline. It creates a new requirement for user verification but does not restrict platform content or functionality.

Maddy summaryHB 4591 amends Texas law governing fire and police pension funds by requiring board approval for changes to contribution rates, with a qualified actuary verifying that adjustments are financially sound. It specifies that cities or towns may deduct 1% to 6% of firefighter and policeman wages for pension funds, but adjustments outside this range require actuarial approval based on the fund’s financial status. The bill directly affects local pension boards, fire/police departments, and their members by adding a new review step for contribution changes. It does not alter benefit amounts but ensures proposed changes are backed by actuarial analysis before implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 4568 establishes rules for Texas's film and television incentive program, affecting production companies seeking state funding. It prohibits grants for projects including pornography, news programming, political ads, religious content, or state commercials, while requiring content reviews before and after production to ensure compliance with "standards of decency." The bill defines the "Texas moving image industry incentive fund" and mandates that the state office review proposed and final project content to prevent ineligible uses. These provisions aim to direct state funding toward eligible entertainment projects that align with Texas values, without changing existing funding levels.