Rep. Ramon Romero

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and establish a dedicated fund. It directs the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue fund to this new special fund starting January 1, 2026. The fund will provide grants for research, prevention programs, and treatment development related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and related disorders. The institute will oversee funding for research institutions, medical facilities, and collaborative efforts across Texas, directly benefiting residents affected by these conditions through expanded research and prevention initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 2308 establishes the Texas Commission on Border Security and Illegal Immigration as an advisory body composed of 11 members, including legislative leaders, the governor’s designee, and state agency representatives. The commission’s primary duty is to review the economic, legal, cultural, and educational impacts of illegal immigration on Texas and examine state and federal immigration laws. It will conduct this review through quarterly meetings and provide findings to the legislature, though it has no regulatory authority. The bill creates a formal structure for state-level analysis of border-related issues without implementing new enforcement policies. (Bill text: HB 2308, Chapter 330, Texas Government Code)

Maddy summaryHB 74 creates the Puerto Verde Port Authority District in Maverick County, Texas, as a special district to advance economic development in the area. The bill grants the district authority to issue bonds for infrastructure, impose fees and taxes on properties within the district, and acquire private property through limited eminent domain for port-related projects. It directly affects property owners and businesses in the designated district area by enabling the district to fund and develop port facilities, transportation infrastructure, and economic initiatives. The legislation aims to promote job growth, commerce, and community development in Maverick County under Texas Constitution provisions for special districts.

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 164 increases fines for violations of migrant housing regulations from $50 to $200 per day per person. It allows qualifying migrant agricultural workers (those living in the facility and not on H-2A visas) to sue for penalties, in addition to county attorneys or the state. The bill also prevents duplicate enforcement actions by setting specific timing rules for lawsuits. This directly affects housing facility operators and eligible workers who face violations.

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 3644 requires counties to verify and document the veteran status of inmates during transfers to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Specifically, it amends criminal procedure law to mandate that counties include a verified copy of an inmate's veteran status - determined per Government Code Section 511.009(a)(17)(A) - in standard transfer documents. This affects all inmates transferred to state prison who may qualify as veterans, ensuring their status is formally recorded. The bill does not create new benefits but standardizes existing verification into the transfer process. It directly impacts county courts, jail staff, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice during inmate intake.

Maddy summaryHB 3287 exempts trust fund requirements for residential construction projects on single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and quadruplexes. It modifies Texas Property Code to clarify that funds reserved for these specific residential improvements are not considered "trust funds" under Chapter 162. The bill also adds a provision allowing beneficiaries (like contractors or material suppliers) to recover attorney fees if they successfully sue a trustee over trust fund issues. These changes apply only to construction contracts entered into on or after September 1, 2025, with the new attorney fee rule applying to lawsuits filed after that date.

Maddy summaryHR 872 is a commemorative resolution honoring the late Texas State Representative Paul Cruz Moreno on the 94th anniversary of his birth. It recognizes his life and career, including his service as a Korean War veteran, his work on legislation for colonias and disability accessibility, his role as a founding member of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, and his legacy as the "Conscience of the House." The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it is purely ceremonial. The Texas House of Representatives adopted this resolution to posthumously honor Moreno's contributions to Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 5376, known as "Tiffany's Law," grants Texas municipalities new authority to restrict or ban specific vehicle types from using toll roads within city limits. The bill allows cities to adopt ordinances that prohibit certain vehicles (like trucks or commercial vehicles) from toll projects or restrict them to designated lanes on highways. Municipalities must still permit restricted vehicles to pass other cars or enter/exit the highway, as required by the law. This change directly affects local governments and drivers of the specified vehicle classes using toll roads in participating cities, taking effect September 1, 2025.