Rep. Candy Noble

Maddy summaryHB 5138 shifts responsibility for prosecuting election-related crimes from local prosecutors to the Texas Attorney General's office. It requires law enforcement agencies to report election law violations to the Attorney General and mandates that local prosecutors cooperate with the AG’s office. The bill creates new provisions in the Government Code (Subchapter D) and amends the Election Code to give the Attorney General sole authority to prosecute such offenses, effective September 1, 2026. This directly affects local law enforcement, county prosecutors, and the Attorney General’s office by centralizing prosecution authority for election crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 1041 amends Texas insurance law to clarify that caregivers at specific disability care facilities (such as state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, intermediate care facilities, and group homes) do not have an insurable interest in their clients' lives unless they are relatives. The bill explicitly states that non-relative staff at these facilities cannot be beneficiaries or owners of life insurance policies on their clients. This change applies to policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The law took effect immediately upon the Governor's signature on May 29, 2025, after passing both chambers unanimously.

Maddy summaryHB 142 streamlines how Texas' Medicaid Inspector General reviews claims and recovers overpayments. It allows the Inspector General to directly contract with qualified experts for claim reviews without competitive bidding when no bids are received, and clarifies that the office may share certain oversight information with state, federal, or local agencies. The bill directly affects Medicaid providers (through revised eligibility checks) and the Health and Human Services Commission's Inspector General office (by changing its review processes). Key provisions include simplified contracting for expert reviews and expanded information-sharing authority for oversight purposes, all while maintaining compliance with federal Medicaid requirements. The bill became law on May 29, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2029 modifies Texas vehicle safety inspection fees for travel trailers by requiring a $7.50 annual fee during registration or renewal. This applies directly to owners of registered travel trailers, semitrailers, and similar vehicles. The bill replaces previous fee structures by adding this specific charge to the standard registration process, as outlined in amended Section 548.510 of the Texas Transportation Code. The change takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature, which occurred on May 29, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3307 modifies renewal requirements for property tax arbitrators in Texas. It requires arbitrators who serve in appeals of appraisal review board decisions to complete eight hours of continuing education in arbitration or dispute resolution every two years. Approved sources include universities, real estate associations, or legal associations offering continuing education. The bill also mandates completing a revised state-approved training program on property tax law if updates occur after an arbitrator is added to the registry. This directly affects current and future arbitrators seeking to renew their status with the state tax office.

Maddy summaryHB 4 restricts Texas public school districts and campuses from obtaining exemptions or waivers for specific requirements, including graduation standards, school accountability measures under Chapters 39 and 39A, health and safety rules, and programs for special education and bilingual students. The bill explicitly prohibits waivers for federal mandates, essential knowledge/skills, class size limits (except as allowed by law), extracurricular activities, and other key areas listed in the legislation. It also changes the appeal process for challenges to the commissioner's decisions, requiring appeals to be filed in Travis County district court with specific procedural steps. This bill directly affects school districts, the Texas Education Agency, and individuals seeking to challenge educational decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 21 amends Texas Local Government Code provisions affecting housing finance corporations that develop or manage low- and moderate-income housing. It defines qualifying residential developments as those where at least 90% of units are intended for households with adjusted gross income below state-defined moderate income levels. The bill also requires these corporations to follow open meetings and public records laws (Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code) and restricts their development to areas within the boundaries of their sponsoring local governments - unless approved by those governing bodies. These changes clarify operational rules and transparency requirements for housing finance corporations serving low- and moderate-income residents.

Maddy summaryHB 30 modifies how Texas local taxing units (like counties and cities, excluding school districts) calculate property tax rates after a declared disaster. If a disaster is officially recognized by the governor or president and at least one property owner receives a tax exemption, the taxing unit can use a new "disaster relief rate" calculation. This rate divides the unit's documented disaster costs (for debris removal and essential assistance) by the current taxable property value. The new calculation method applies until either property values exceed their pre-disaster level or three years after the disaster, whichever comes first.

Maddy summaryHB 3225 requires municipal public libraries in Texas to restrict minors (under 18) from accessing sexually explicit materials in sections designated for younger audiences. Libraries must remove such materials from "minor's sections" and obtain legal guardian consent before allowing minors to check out or view these materials. The bill imposes civil penalties for violations, including fines. It directly affects municipal public libraries, minors, and their guardians by changing how libraries manage content access in designated youth areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas judges to deny bail to individuals classified as "illegal aliens" charged with felony offenses, if a judge determines probable cause exists. It defines "illegal alien" as someone who entered the U.S. without inspection or violated nonimmigrant visa terms. The amendment would automatically deny bail pending trial for such individuals, without requiring additional proof of flight risk or danger. If approved by voters in 2025, it would become part of the Texas Constitution. (Note: This is a procedural proposal requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.)