Rep. Joe Moody

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a fee schedule for attorneys representing children or parents in custody cases filed by government entities (like child welfare agencies), specifically for attorneys not working for official child or parent representation offices. It requires counties to create a detailed payment system based on time spent in court and out-of-court work, plus reasonable expenses, paid from county general funds. The bill also adds safeguards: courts can remove attorneys who submit false payment claims, and attorneys can appeal payment denials to a regional judge within 60 days. This directly affects attorneys appointed in these specific government-filed cases, ensuring consistent compensation through county-administered fees rather than relying on parents' ability to pay.

Maddy summaryHB 4885 amends Texas Family Code sections to allow juvenile court records to be shared with "managed assigned counsel programs" that appoint attorneys for indigent youth in juvenile court cases. This directly affects attorneys and legal aid programs responsible for representing youth in juvenile proceedings, specifically enabling them to access records needed to determine financial need or appoint counsel. The bill adds a new disclosure exception (Family Code §58.004(b)(6)) and updates disclosure rules (§58.005(a-1)(10)) to include these programs as authorized recipients. The bill passed both chambers in May 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor on June 22, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 413 would have limited pretrial detention for defendants charged with Class B misdemeanors or more serious offenses, preventing jail stays longer than the maximum sentence they could receive if convicted. It required courts to calculate whether a defendant’s cumulative time in jail before trial exceeded the potential sentence for their offense, mandating release if it did. Exceptions included defendants undergoing competency evaluations or subject to Chapter 46B commitment orders. The bill was vetoed by the governor on June 22, 2025, and never took effect.

Maddy summaryHB 4325 amends Texas law to increase civil penalties for prohibited barratry (the act of unnecessarily promoting or instigating lawsuits). It raises the penalty for successful plaintiffs from $10,000 to $50,000 per violation, adds recovery for actual damages caused by the conduct, and includes reasonable attorney fees. The law applies only to lawsuits filed on or after September 1, 2025, with pre-existing cases governed by prior law. This directly affects parties involved in civil litigation where barratry is proven, increasing financial consequences for those engaging in the prohibited practice.

Maddy summarySB 2111 requires Texas courts to appoint lawyers for indigent defendants who have a potentially meritorious claim in post-conviction habeas corpus proceedings. It specifically covers claims of actual innocence, lesser offenses, unconstitutional convictions, or constitutional violations. The bill amends court procedures to ensure defendants with these claims receive legal representation to file or pursue habeas corpus applications. This directly affects indigent individuals seeking relief after conviction who meet the defined criteria for a "potentially meritorious claim." The bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 22, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryHB 1056 recognizes physical gold and silver coins meeting specific weight and purity standards as legal tender in Texas for debt payments, while prohibiting government markings except for identifying refiners. It authorizes the state comptroller to establish electronic payment systems backed by bullion held in depositories, allowing transactions using gold/silver-based currency. The bill explicitly states it does not replace U.S. dollars, restrict federal currency, or require businesses to accept gold/silver tender. It also permits the comptroller to set reasonable administrative fees for the system. This law applies to Texas residents and businesses using the state-administered electronic currency system, operating alongside existing federal currency.

Maddy summarySB 22 establishes the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund to provide financial support for film and television productions filmed in Texas. It requires the Music, Film, Television, and Multimedia Office to deny grants for projects containing "inappropriate content" or portraying Texas/Texans "in a negative fashion," while also prohibiting grants for pornography, news programming, religious content, non-commercial projects, and state advertising. The bill explicitly lists ineligible project types, including political ads, sporting events, and video games used in gambling. It creates a dedicated funding mechanism for eligible productions and authorizes the Office to administer grants using money from the incentive fund or other approved sources. The law directly affects production companies seeking financial support for qualifying Texas-based film and TV projects.

Maddy summaryHB 2853 allows The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to charge students a fee for its student union building, with specific limits: up to $30 per student per regular semester or long summer session, and $15 for shorter summer sessions. The bill requires that annual fee increases cannot exceed 10% over the prior year's amount unless approved by a majority of students in a vote. These fees are in addition to other existing student fees and apply starting with the 2026 spring semester. The bill directly affects UTEP students who pay the fee and governs how the university can adjust it.

Maddy summarySB 991 expands Texas' definition of "students at risk of dropping out" to include those with chronic absenteeism or truancy. It requires public school districts to collect and report data on these students' attendance patterns, including unexcused absences. This law directly affects Texas public schools and students who miss significant school days without valid reasons. The policy change focuses on improving data tracking for attendance-related risks, without mandating new interventions.

Maddy summaryHCR 9 designates the first Saturday of every month as "Small Business Saturday" in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution, which does not create new laws or funding, aims to encourage Texans to support local small businesses. It directly affects all Texas small businesses (defined as those employing fewer than 500 people) by promoting community shopping. The designation expires 10 years after the resolution's final passage, per Section 391.004(d) of the Texas Government Code.