Rep. Mary González

Maddy summaryHB 1121 creates civil liability for individuals who disclose intimate visual material (such as private photos or videos) without the depicted person's consent and with intent to harm. It specifically holds AI developers liable if they fail to take reasonable precautions against creating or modifying such material (including AI-generated content) without consent. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for unlawful disclosure of intimate visual material, including cases involving AI-generated content. This law directly affects people whose private images are shared without permission and technology companies developing AI tools used to create or distribute such material.

Maddy summaryHB 1632 exempts animal food intended for domesticated pets (like dogs and cats) from Texas sales and use taxes. This directly affects pet food businesses and pet owners by reducing the cost of purchasing pet food. The bill amends the Texas Tax Code to add a specific exemption for "animal food intended for consumption by domesticated animals" under Chapter 151. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not change tax liability for purchases made before that date.

Maddy summaryHB 3024 requires Texas school districts to report specific data about their school counseling programs starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates that reports include: (1) the number of counselors at each campus, (2) the average hours counselors spend on counseling program duties versus non-counseling tasks (like assessment administration), and (3) findings on compliance with counseling policies. This directly affects all public school districts in Texas, requiring them to collect and submit this data annually. The bill focuses on transparency in counselor workload distribution without changing counseling services or standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2917 establishes the Building Better Futures Program to provide educational and occupational skills training with support services for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Texas public and private colleges. The bill requires participating institutions to have U.S. Department of Education approval for transition programs, implement selective admissions, and award certificates upon program completion. It exempts program courses from certain Education Code requirements (Sections 61.0512 and 61.822) and mandates that institutions obtain approval within three years of program selection. This directly affects eligible students (Texas residents with diagnosed disabilities) and higher education institutions seeking to offer inclusive postsecondary opportunities.

Maddy summaryHB 2938 establishes a minimum base wage for personal attendants providing Medicaid and related services under Texas' Health and Human Services Commission. It also allows family members (such as parents or spouses) to provide these services to eligible individuals, subject to federal law. The bill defines "attendant care services" as nonmedical assistance with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and health monitoring. These changes apply to Medicaid programs and related federal waiver programs, including those under Sections 1115, 1915, and 1929 of the Social Security Act. The policy takes effect April 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2717 creates a new payment for individuals wrongfully imprisoned who received compensation under Texas law before September 1, 2009. It provides an "equalizing compensation" amount calculated as the present-value sum they would have received on that date, minus what they already received. Applicants must file by September 1, 2028, with payments made within 30 days of eligibility confirmation. The program expires on September 1, 2029, and applies only to those who received prior compensation under Section 103.052.

Maddy summaryHB 2419 modifies Texas' special education funding and support under the Foundation School Program. It requires regional education service centers to provide specific training and assistance to school districts, including help for those out of compliance with special education laws. The bill also creates a $1,000 annual salary stipend for special education teachers and paraprofessionals (increasing by $150 per year of experience up to $2,500 total) and establishes a grant program to reimburse districts for employing retired special education teachers. These changes directly affect Texas school districts, special education staff, and retired educators by enhancing support and financial incentives in special education programming.

Maddy summaryHB 2420 requires all Texas public universities to appoint a Title VI coordinator by the 2025-2026 academic year. These coordinators must oversee compliance with federal civil rights law (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin), handle related complaints, provide training, and maintain records. The bill directly affects public institutions of higher education across Texas, mandating specific duties to promote equal access and address potential violations. It implements federal requirements through state-level administrative structure without altering federal law. The policy change takes effect in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Maddy summaryHB 1931 changes how the superintendent's salary is set at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI). It requires the school's board to annually establish the superintendent's salary, with a cap that the salary cannot exceed 120% of the highest-paid instructional administrator's salary at the school. This rule applies only to new or renewed employment contracts starting September 1, 2025; existing contracts remain under previous rules. The bill directly affects TSBVI's leadership and budget planning for superintendent compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 1526 requires Texas State University to conduct a study on the expected economic, agricultural, and environmental impacts of climate change in Texas, including effects like droughts and natural disasters. The study must also assess the state's preparedness to address these impacts. Texas State University must submit a final report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and all state legislators by December 1, 2026. The bill expires on January 1, 2027, and does not create new laws or funding but mandates a state-wide analysis to inform future policy decisions.