Rep. Nicole Collier

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal defense for individuals charged with possessing certain consumable hemp products containing marijuana or controlled substances. It applies only if the product: (1) is labeled as a legally authorized hemp product, (2) contains hemp-derived substances within legal limits (not other drugs), and (3) was bought from a retailer the person reasonably believed was authorized to sell such products. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not apply to offenses committed before that date. It directly affects consumers of hemp-derived products who meet all three conditions, providing a defense against possession charges under specific circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Texas counties to exclude the value of new or substantially remodeled homes when appraising older residence homesteads (over 30 years old) located in or near tax increment financing (TIF) reinvestment zones. It directly affects homeowners in these TIF zones whose older properties might otherwise face higher tax assessments due to nearby new construction. The key provision enables county appraisers to disregard the value of newer homes in the same neighborhood when determining the tax value of qualifying older homes. If approved by voters in 2025, this would permit the legislature to create specific rules for this appraisal method through general law.

Maddy summaryHB 90 modifies how property taxes are assessed for older homes in specific areas. It allows chief appraisers to exclude the value of newer or substantially remodeled homes in the same neighborhood when determining the tax value of a residence homestead over 30 years old located in or near a tax increment financing (TIF) zone. This applies only to properties in TIF zones or within two miles of them, aiming to ensure older homes aren’t unfairly valued higher due to nearby renovations. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 2510 requires that individuals providing personal assistance services to assisted living facility residents must hold a state-issued license, and it creates criminal penalties for doing so without one. The bill also mandates that assisted living facilities operate under a valid license, with similar penalties for operating without authorization. Violations are classified as a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, escalating to a third-degree felony for repeat violations. This law directly affects service providers and facility operators in Texas, taking effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2402 sets new rules for how Texas Medicaid pays for medical services. It requires that fees, charges, or rates for Medicaid-covered benefits must match the "usual and customary" rates in the local community, unless federal law restricts them. The bill also explicitly excludes fees from monthly membership discount programs when determining payments. This directly affects healthcare providers who accept Medicaid by changing how they are reimbursed, and beneficiaries who receive covered services through Medicaid. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1105 exempts paramedics employed by Texas cities, counties, or other local governments from tuition and laboratory fees at public colleges when enrolled in emergency medical services courses. This applies only to students maintaining satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate, and does not cover security deposits, additional fees for residents, or graduate-level surcharges. The exemption excludes distance education courses where more than 20% of enrollment exceeds the institution's designated limit. The bill, signed into law by the governor on June 20, 2025, became effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 1639 directs the Texas Department of State Health Services, in collaboration with the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, to study whether female firefighters in Texas have higher rates of certain cancers (like breast and ovarian cancer) compared to other women in the state. The study will use existing cancer registry data and readily available sources, requiring a report with findings and recommendations to be submitted to the legislature by September 1, 2026. The bill does not create new laws or funding but mandates this specific analysis to assess potential health risks. The study is required to be made publicly available online by the agencies involved.

Maddy summaryHB 4361 requires Texas public institutions of higher education to establish standardized emergency notification procedures that comply with the federal Jeanne Clery Act. It mandates that institutions, in consultation with students, faculty, and staff, adopt clear protocols for timely emergency alerts through required systems. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board must adopt these rules promptly after the bill's effective date. The law took effect immediately on June 20, 2025, after being signed by the Governor. This directly affects all public colleges and universities in Texas, ensuring consistent emergency communication practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires vision insurance companies to create online applications for optometrists and therapeutic optometrists to join their plans. It mandates that insurers provide contracts within 10 business days of receiving a complete application and make credentialing decisions within 30 days. The bill ensures all applicants face identical application requirements and processing timelines, prohibiting insurers from considering extra information beyond the submitted application. It also requires insurers to include approved providers in their plans within 20 business days of contract acceptance. The law applies to all vision care plans serving Texas residents.

Maddy summaryHB 3073 amends Texas law to clarify when sexual assault occurs without consent, directly affecting all individuals involved in sexual assault prosecutions across the state. The bill adds 12 specific scenarios where consent is legally absent, including when a victim is unconscious, mentally incapacitated, or intentionally drugged by the perpetrator (new point 6), and expands protections for vulnerable groups like patients of healthcare providers, facility residents, and clergy members' spiritual dependents. Key provisions define consent more precisely by listing circumstances where force, coercion, or exploitation negate consent, replacing ambiguous language in the existing Penal Code. This change standardizes how prosecutors must prove lack of consent in court, making it clearer for judges and juries. The law, effective September 1, 2025, is named the Summer Willis Act but focuses solely on legal definitions, not new penalties or programs.