Rep. Lauren Simmons

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 613) honoring Pastor Ellery A. Richard for his 21 years as pastor of Second Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Houston. The Texas House of Representatives formally congratulates him on this anniversary and extends best wishes for his continued work. The resolution recognizes his service, background, and community impact, and directs that an official copy be presented to him as a gesture of respect. It has no policy or funding implications - it is purely a ceremonial expression of appreciation.

Maddy summaryHR 446 is a ceremonial resolution commending the Teen and Police Service Academy (TAPS) of Houston for its community work. It recognizes TAPS Academy’s programs - including TEENPOL, Summer Youth Leadership Institute, and traffic stop training - that help youth develop conflict resolution skills and build relationships with law enforcement. The resolution expresses the Texas House of Representatives' support but has no legal effect or policy changes. It was adopted by the House on March 31, 2025, and will be presented to TAPS Academy as a formal gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summaryHB 3989 establishes the Supporting Life Pilot Program under Texas' Thriving Texas Families Program to provide support services to pregnant teenagers (ages 11-21) and young parents of children under 36 months. The program requires the Health and Human Services Commission to operate a centralized facility in a county with 4 million+ residents, offering housing, childcare, parenting classes, counseling, early childhood education, and educational support services. Eligible participants must be between 11-21 years old, pregnant, or parents of a child under 36 months. The program is managed by an executive director appointed by the commission, with oversight from an advisory board. This pilot program is designed to coordinate care and support for young parents through direct service provision.

Maddy summaryBased solely on the bill title and available context, HB 3873 would create additional judicial districts within Harris County. This is a procedural bill focused on judicial district boundaries, not substantive policy changes. The bill text is not currently available in the provided context (noting "This version is not currently available"). It was filed on March 5, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence committee. As a boundary adjustment, it directly affects Harris County's court structure and jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 596) is a symbolic resolution recognizing March 2025 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Texas. It does not create new laws or allocate funds, but encourages all Texans to learn about colorectal cancer prevention and screening. The resolution highlights that colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., with higher risks for Black Americans and rising cases among young adults. It specifically cites the American Cancer Society's recommendation for screenings starting at age 45 to improve early detection and survival rates. The resolution was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on March 26, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Texas African American Heritage Commission to identify, preserve, interpret, and promote sites reflecting Texas's African American heritage. The commission will consist of nine members: seven appointed by the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, one by Texas Southern University, and one by Prairie View A&M University. It will operate independently under the Texas Historical Commission, which will provide administrative support like budgeting and HR services. The commission is set to expire on September 1, 2037, unless extended by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 3155 requires landlords who lease five or more residential properties to list all fees upfront when providing rental applications. This includes application fees (like deposits and processing), recurring lease fees (such as pest control or trash collection), and optional service fees (like pet or parking fees). Applicants cannot be charged for any fee not disclosed in this list, and landlords who violate this rule must refund the undisclosed fee amount. The law applies only to larger landlords and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3184 would authorize Texas counties and municipalities to set minimum wages higher than the state's current $7.25 hourly rate. Cities could establish higher wages for employees working within city limits, while counties could do the same for unincorporated areas and extraterritorial jurisdictions. The bill excludes state/federal job training programs and existing contracts where private entities already agreed to higher wages. This law would take effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 3268 changes when Texas can deny or reduce crime victim compensation under the Crime Victims' Compensation Act. It allows the attorney general to deny or reduce payments if a victim: didn’t substantially cooperate with law enforcement, was partially responsible for the crime, received compensation from another source, or was engaged in illegal activity related to the crime at the time. The law applies only to crimes occurring on or after September 1, 2025, not past incidents. This directly affects crime victims seeking compensation and the attorney general’s office, which administers the program.

Maddy summaryHB 2908 requires landlords in Texas to offer tenants two specific options for receiving security deposit refunds: a check, money order, or other traceable payment method, or a credit applied back to the original payment method (like a credit card). This directly affects tenants who pay security deposits using electronic or credit card payments, giving them flexibility in how they receive their refund. The bill amends the Property Code to mandate this choice, effective September 1, 2025. It creates a concrete policy change by standardizing refund methods without altering deposit amounts or landlord obligations.