Rep. Candy Noble

Maddy summaryHJR 161 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to explicitly prohibit non-citizen residents from voting in Texas elections. The bill would add "persons who are not citizens of the United States" as a new category barred from voting, alongside existing restrictions for minors, those declared mentally incompetent, and convicted felons. If approved by voters in November 2025, this constitutional change would formally enshrine the current legal standard - non-citizens already cannot vote in Texas - into the state constitution. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2025 general election, with ballot language specifying the change. This is a procedural constitutional amendment, not a new voting law.

Maddy summaryHB 1813 requires Texas school districts to provide parents with a clear, easy-to-understand document explaining special education program processes, including how to participate in meetings, access legal representation, and file complaints about non-attorney representatives. It mandates that this information be included in the standard procedural safeguards notice parents receive. The bill also sets new qualifications for special education representatives and hearing officers, prohibiting conflicts of interest (like prior employment with a district) and requiring knowledge of special education laws and ethics agreements for paid representatives. This bill directly affects parents of students in special education programs, school districts, and professionals serving as representatives or hearing officers, while authorizing a fee for certain services.

Maddy summaryHB 3061 increases penalties for certain criminal offenses committed while wearing masks or disguises specifically to hide the offender's identity. It applies to offenses under Texas law covering assault, robbery, public disorder (Title 5, Chapters 28-30, or Sections 42.01/42.02). If proven, the punishment escalates to the next higher offense category, with a minimum 180-day jail term for Class A misdemeanors. Exceptions allow the penalty increase to be avoided if the disguise was for events like Halloween, proven by a preponderance of evidence.

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 3426 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to issue digital versions of driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, and personal identification certificates. These digital licenses must be accessible via smartphone apps, include all standard license information, and meet security verification standards. The bill specifies that digital licenses will be treated as legally equivalent to physical licenses under Texas law for most purposes. It also authorizes the department to charge a fee for providing this service.

Maddy summaryHB 1716 expands Medicaid counseling access in Texas by allowing recipients to select licensed marriage and family therapist associates, licensed master social workers (pursuing clinical licensure), and licensed professional counselor associates. These providers, who are working toward full licensure, must be reimbursed at 50% of the rate paid to psychiatrists or psychologists for similar services. Reimbursement is capped at 3,000 hours or the supervised practice hours required for full licensure. The bill applies to counseling services provided under Medicaid, including at federally qualified health centers.

Maddy summaryHB 645 creates a statewide program to provide co-navigation services for Texans who are deaf-blind. The Health and Human Services Commission will operate this program, reimbursing specially trained co-navigators for helping individuals safely move through environments and access information using their preferred communication methods (like American Sign Language or protactile language). The bill establishes tiered reimbursement rates based on co-navigators' training and skill level in communication modes and mobility techniques. It explicitly excludes personal care, decision-making, or formal interpreting services from the program's scope.

Maddy summarySB 2 establishes a state-funded education savings account program in Texas, allowing eligible families to use public funds for approved educational expenses. The program directly affects Texas families with children who have disabilities or who live in low-income households (at or below 500% of the federal poverty level). The comptroller administers the program, funding accounts with state money that can cover approved education costs like tuition, books, or tutoring. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 3, 2025. This creates a new state-funded option alongside public schools for participating families.

Maddy summaryHB 2865 prohibits Texas Medicaid agencies from automatically renewing a recipient's eligibility using electronic data without requiring the recipient to provide updated information. The bill bans "ex parte renewals" (automatic renewals without recipient input) and requires the state to seek a federal waiver to implement this change, with possible delay until the waiver is approved. This directly affects Medicaid recipients, who will now need to proactively submit updated information to maintain coverage, and state agencies managing Medicaid. The prohibition does not apply if federal law requires automatic renewals.

Maddy summaryHB 1503 establishes a licensing requirement for genetic counselors in Texas. The bill requires genetic counselors to obtain a state license to practice, directly affecting professionals providing genetic counseling services in the state. Key provisions define "practice of genetic counseling" (including services after referrals from physicians or self-referral) and authorize a fee for licensure. The bill creates Chapter 508 of the Occupations Code, setting up the framework for licensing, including an Advisory Board and definitions for key terms like "certifying entity."