Rep. Patrick Sellers

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 74) is a ceremonial resolution celebrating Reverend William Henry "Bill" Greason's 100th birthday. It recognizes his life as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran (serving in the Pacific during WWII with the all-Black 66th Supply Platoon), a pioneering Negro Leagues baseball pitcher (teammate of Willie Mays), and a longtime pastor. The resolution specifically honors his contributions to breaking racial barriers in sports and his community service, noting he is the oldest living Negro Leagues veteran. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 43), not a substantive bill. It formally mourns the death of Roland Mixon, Sr., a lifelong Alabama resident and coal miner who died on February 3, 2025, at age 84. The resolution honors his life, faith, family, and 30+ years of work at Oak Grove Mine, while extending condolences to his surviving wife, children, and extended family. It has no policy impact or effect on laws or constituents.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 39), not a policy bill. It formally recognizes Josiah Benson, a young Alabama theater performer, for his achievements in musical theater. The resolution highlights his roles in local productions (like *Little Mermaid Disney Jr.*), his school honors, and his current role as a lead performer in the national tour of *MJ the Musical* (with over 300 shows performed since 2023). It has no policy impact or direct effect on any laws, regulations, or constituents beyond this symbolic honor.

Maddy summaryHB 65 requires Alabama's State Board of Education to create a model policy restricting student cell phone use during school hours in public K-12 schools, with exceptions for emergencies, health care, or special education plans (IEP/504). Local school boards must adopt their own policies based on this model by the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The bill directly affects all Alabama public K-12 schools, their administrators, and students by establishing standardized rules for electronic device use during the school day. It does not prohibit devices entirely but mandates policies limiting use to specified circumstances. The bill is pending committee review and would take effect June 1, 2025, though implementation deadlines are set for 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 63 creates legal presumptions favoring joint custody and shared parenting time when an unmarried father voluntarily acknowledges paternity. It requires courts to presume that joint custody is in the child's best interest if parents live within 40 miles of each other, and prohibits either parent from removing the child from Alabama without the other parent's consent or court permission. These presumptions can be challenged with evidence but include exceptions for cases involving domestic or family violence. The bill directly affects unmarried parents who sign paternity acknowledgments and applies to custody, visitation, and child support proceedings. It does not change existing paternity acknowledgment procedures but alters how courts evaluate custody arrangements in those cases.

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