Rep. Ana Hernandez

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 884), not a policy bill. It formally congratulates Lenora Sorola-Pohlman, a Houston community leader, on her 70th birthday. The resolution highlights her career as an insurance broker, her decades of service on Houston's Hispanic Advisory Board and other community boards, and her advocacy for women and Hispanic leadership. It expresses the Texas House of Representatives' appreciation for her contributions but creates no legal obligations or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 1028 designates May 21, 2025, as "Texas Capitol Staff Appreciation Day" to symbolically recognize legislative staff members for their work supporting Texas lawmakers. This ceremonial resolution, adopted by the Texas House of Representatives, expresses formal appreciation for staff employed in state lawmaker offices and legislative agencies. It has no legal effect, funding requirements, or policy changes - it solely serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition. The bill passed the House on May 23, 2025, and is now enrolled.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 865) is a ceremonial measure passed by the Texas House of Representatives to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Pursuit Center in Houston. It recognizes the nonprofit's history since 1950, when it was founded to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and highlights its current services including health/wellness programs, job training (PursuitJOBS), and housing support. The resolution has no legal effect - it simply expresses the House's "sincere best wishes" and directs a formal copy to be presented to the center. As a commemorative resolution, it does not alter policies or affect any specific group beyond acknowledging the organization's community impact.

Maddy summaryHB 50 requires healthcare providers to obtain patient consent before conducting blood screening tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to inform patients they can opt out of the test. If a screening test is positive, providers must offer information about available healthcare, prevention, and support services. The bill applies to all medical screenings for STDs in Texas and takes effect January 1, 2026, after the Health and Human Services Commission adopts implementing rules. It does not change existing testing protocols but adds a consent requirement and post-positive support obligation for providers.

Maddy summaryHB 1359 creates an "Income-Based Assistance Fund" to provide financial help for low-income retail electric customers in Texas. The bill establishes a trust fund financed by a fee (up to 65 cents per megawatt hour) charged to retail electric providers and collected from customers based on usage. This fund, managed by the comptroller and administered by the Health and Human Services Commission, will offer monetary assistance to eligible low-income households identified through an automatic process. The program directly affects low-income electricity users and requires electric providers to collect the fee, with the commission setting the fee amount biennially to cover administrative costs.

Maddy summaryHB 1788 requires barbers and cosmetologists licensed in Texas to complete continuing education on identifying and assisting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. The bill mandates the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt rules requiring this training as part of license renewal. It directly affects all licensed barbers and cosmetologists in Texas, who must complete this education by the bill's effective date. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, with the commission required to adopt rules promptly after enactment.

Maddy summaryTexas Senate Bill 783 exempts certain building regulations from state oversight, specifically clarifying that local governments cannot enforce restrictions on residential or commercial construction that conflict with pre-existing standards. It directly affects municipalities, developers, and historic preservation entities by creating nine specific exemptions, including windstorm insurance requirements, certified Dark Sky Community lighting ordinances, and buildings in historic districts (like National Register sites or Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks). Key provisions allow local ordinances for outdoor lighting to comply with international dark-sky certification standards and preserve existing historic designations without state interference. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers in May 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage, limiting coverage, or charging higher rates to individuals who are widowed or whose marital status reflects the death of a spouse, compared to married individuals. It directly affects widowed people applying for or renewing insurance policies. The law requires insurers to treat widowed customers the same as married customers for rate-setting and coverage availability. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not apply to policies delivered or renewed before that date.

Maddy summaryHB 1738 repeals the criminal penalty for homosexual conduct (previously codified in Section 21.06 of the Penal Code). It simultaneously amends health education requirements in Texas schools to mandate that materials for minors include the statement that "homosexual conduct is not an acceptable lifestyle," while incorrectly referencing the repealed law. The bill affects public school health curricula for students under 18, requiring this specific language to be included in sexual education programs. The legislation passed the Texas legislature on May 16, 2025, and would take effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Maddy summaryHB 4621 allows federal and state judges who conduct marriage ceremonies to return completed marriage licenses electronically by scanning and submitting the image to the county clerk who issued the license. This replaces the current requirement for physical return of the license. County clerks receiving licenses electronically must mail a certified copy to the applicants' address instead of the original document. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies specifically to judges defined under Texas Family Code Section 2.202.