Rep. Joe Moody

Maddy summaryHB 1557 requires toll project entities in Texas to offer free or discounted tolls for vehicles registered under specific veteran vehicle codes (Section 504.202 or 504.315(f)/(g)) in the Texas Transportation Code. It directly affects veterans who drive vehicles with these designated registrations. The bill mandates that toll entities establish such discount programs and limits participants to two transponders, with a hardship exception for a third. The policy change takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3704 creates a new criminal offense for notaries public who perform notarizations when the person signing a document did not personally appear before them at the time of notarization. It classifies this as a Class A misdemeanor, but elevates it to a state jail felony if the document involves real property transfer. The bill directly affects Texas notaries public by adding criminal liability for this specific violation, which was previously addressed only through administrative penalties. Key provisions define "personal appearance" as either physical presence during in-person notarizations or using approved video technology for online notarizations. This bill amends Texas Government Code sections related to notary qualifications, disciplinary actions, and criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 32 clarifies eviction procedures in Texas by updating Property Code rules. It requires landlords to give tenants at least three days' written notice before filing eviction suits for nonpayment of rent (unless a lease specifies otherwise). The bill also limits courts to deciding actual possession rights - not property title - in eviction cases and prohibits adding counterclaims or third parties to these suits. Additionally, it states only the Texas legislature can change these eviction procedures. This bill directly affects landlords, tenants, and justice courts handling eviction cases.

Maddy summaryHB 321 creates an "express lane" to streamline eligibility for child health coverage by connecting Texas SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) applications with the child health plan program. It requires the state health agency to automatically check SNAP application data to determine if a child qualifies for health coverage, avoiding delays by opening a new case for health enrollment. The bill mandates parental consent before enrolling children and provides notice via the parent’s preferred contact method. This directly affects children whose families apply for SNAP benefits and may qualify for child health coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 1044 amends Texas law to add specific religious officiants authorized to conduct marriage ceremonies, including Buddhist monks/priests, Hindu pundits, Muslim imams, and Sikh granthis. The bill expands the existing list under Family Code Section 2.202, which previously allowed Christian ministers/priests, Jewish rabbis, and judges. This change directly affects couples seeking weddings in Texas who wish to use these newly authorized religious officiants. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to ceremonies held on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 1585 restricts where housing finance corporations in Texas can operate. It limits their area of operation based on their sponsoring local government: municipal sponsors must stay within the sponsoring city's boundaries, county sponsors are limited to unincorporated county areas, and multi-sponsor corporations can only operate within all sponsoring cities' boundaries and the unincorporated areas of all sponsoring counties. The bill amends Texas Local Government Code sections to clarify these geographic boundaries for all housing finance corporations. This directly affects housing finance corporations sponsored by cities, counties, or multiple local governments across Texas.

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 2448 amends Texas criminal procedure to allow defense attorneys to waive a defendant's arraignment without requiring the defendant's physical presence in court. It permits attorneys to sign the waiver on the defendant's behalf instead of needing the defendant's signature. This directly affects criminal defendants and their attorneys in Texas courts during initial court proceedings. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1773 allows certain Texas school districts to appoint a nonvoting student trustee to their board of trustees. This position enables students to attend board meetings, participate in discussions, and provide student perspectives, but the student trustee cannot vote or count toward meeting quorums. The bill applies only to school districts not covered by existing rules (Section 11.0511 of the Education Code). It takes effect September 1, 2025, and creates a formal mechanism for student input without altering voting authority.

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.