Rep. Mitch Little

Maddy summaryHB 1765 restricts the use of "no-knock" entries (police entering a property without announcing their presence or authority) in Texas. It prohibits most magistrates from issuing arrest or search warrants allowing no-knock entries, except for specific judges (district court judges, certain county judges, or municipal judges who are licensed attorneys). The bill requires law enforcement agencies to submit a signed approval from a chief administrator with the warrant request and mandates officers executing such warrants to be clearly identifiable in uniform. This directly affects police departments seeking no-knock warrants and the magistrates who review those requests. The law takes effect upon passage and applies to all warrants issued after its enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 3977 creates Chapter 174A in the Texas Local Government Code to establish standardized employment rules for firefighters in certain political subdivisions (cities, counties, etc.). It defines key terms like "covered firefighter" and "employment agreement," requiring public employers to negotiate written agreements covering wages, hours, and working conditions with firefighters associations. The law preempts conflicting local ordinances or state agency rules on these matters and clarifies it does not affect existing benefits unless changed through a ratified agreement. This bill applies to most municipal fire departments but excludes those already covered by existing chapters or those serving exclusively within a municipality.

Maddy summaryHB 3231 increases criminal penalties for human trafficking in Texas by expanding the definition of the offense. The bill specifically prohibits trafficking children or disabled individuals for forced labor or services without requiring the trafficker to know the victim's age or disability status. It also broadens the offense to include trafficking that results in prohibited acts like prostitution or sexual abuse, and receiving benefits from such trafficking ventures. These changes directly affect traffickers who exploit vulnerable victims, raising penalties for these expanded scenarios under Texas law.

Maddy summaryHB 2879 protects condo owners, tenants, and their guests from penalties like fines or eviction for using justified force (including deadly force) on residential property, as defined under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9. The bill creates an "irrebuttable presumption" that force was justified if the person was acquitted, a grand jury declined to indict, or prosecutors declined to file charges for the same incident. It applies to condominiums (via Property Code Section 82.122) and leased residential properties (via Sections 92.027 and 94.258), preventing associations or landlords from taking adverse action based on legally justified force. The law overrides any conflicting terms in property declarations or leases, regardless of when they were adopted.

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 3154 creates the Wise Regional Water District to provide water and wastewater services in Wise County, Texas. It grants the district limited power to acquire private land for infrastructure (eminent domain), authority to issue bonds for funding, and the ability to charge fees to users. The bill directly affects participating governments (like cities and counties) that provide utility services within the district's boundaries, requiring them to contract with the district for infrastructure projects. The district must serve public water and wastewater needs across its defined service area, with specific rules for cost-sharing among participating entities.

Maddy summaryHB 3195 requires senior retirement communities (defined as residential communities with at least 20 units offering shared amenities like security or dining) to implement specific safety measures. The bill mandates that communities conduct criminal background checks on their own employees using Texas DPS records, disclose in resident contracts whether service providers (like contractors) must also undergo such checks, and maintain a written safety policy for addressing criminal activity risks to residents. These requirements apply to all qualifying communities except healthcare facilities, boarding homes, or federally regulated housing. The law aims to enhance resident safety through transparency and proactive security protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 370 amends Texas law to restrict eligibility for funding from the Events Trust Fund. It prohibits funding for events that allow biological males to compete in sports designated for female athletes. The bill defines "biological male" using official birth certificates or government records stating biological sex, requiring statements entered near birth or corrected for clerical errors. This applies only to events seeking trust fund support and does not affect biological males serving as coaches or support staff. The policy change directly affects sports events applying for state funding under the Events Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 1228 allows homeowners to immediately begin emergency repairs on damaged residential buildings if the repairs protect public safety, prevent further damage, or preserve structural integrity. Homeowners must apply for an emergency permit within three business days of starting repairs or when the municipality/county can accept the application. The bill requires cities and counties to permit these immediate repairs and prohibits them from blocking such work. If a local government violates this law, homeowners can sue for damages and recover attorney fees. This directly affects homeowners needing urgent repairs and local governments managing building permits.

Maddy summaryHB 170 creates civil immunity for individuals who use or threaten to use force or deadly force that is justified under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 (e.g., self-defense or defense of others). It protects such individuals from civil lawsuits seeking damages for personal injury or death resulting from their justified actions. The bill also requires courts to award defendants who win immunity claims reasonable attorney fees, court costs, and related expenses. It repeals Section 9.06 of the Penal Code and applies only to cases occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.