Rep. Lauren Simmons

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would prevent Texas from prosecuting people for crimes committed entirely in another state, provided those acts were legal in the other state and all prohibited elements occurred there. It directly affects individuals who engage in conduct legal in another state but might face Texas criminal charges. The key mechanism is a new constitutional provision (Section 10a) restricting Texas's criminal jurisdiction to cases where the prohibited conduct occurred within Texas or involved prohibited elements beyond the other state. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2025 election.

Maddy summaryHB 2903 requires landlords in Texas to send written confirmation within two business days when they receive a tenant's notice about health- or safety-related repair issues. This applies to all tenants affected by the problem, including those sharing common areas like hallways or lobbies, where landlords must notify each affected tenant separately. The acknowledgment must clearly state the tenant's rights and available remedies under the law. If landlords fail to comply, tenants can seek court action for violations. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2900 requires Texas landlords to provide and maintain heating and air conditioning equipment in apartment units capable of cooling rooms to 65°F and heating to 85°F. It prohibits landlords from waiving this duty and mandates that tenants must notify landlords in writing about HVAC failures before seeking remedies. Landlords who fail to repair such equipment face liability if the issue materially affects tenant health or safety, as defined in the bill. This bill directly affects renters and landlords in Texas apartment complexes by establishing specific, enforceable temperature standards for climate control systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2901 limits security deposits for residential leases in Texas to one month's rent. It directly affects landlords and tenants by restricting how much landlords can charge as a security deposit (excluding application fees or rent payments). The bill amends the Property Code to set this one-month-rent cap, which applies only to new or renewed leases on or after September 1, 2025. Existing leases signed before that date remain governed by prior law.

Maddy summaryHB 2904 limits annual rent increases for residential and manufactured home tenancies in Texas. Landlords may raise rent by no more than 5% for affordable housing (defined as housing for households earning ≤70% of area median income) or 10% for other housing, unless major renovations occurred within the prior 12 months. Violating these limits makes landlords liable for three times the excessive rent plus actual damages, with each rental period of violation counted separately. Landlords must also provide tenants a written explanation of circumstances justifying maximum allowable increases. The bill applies to both standard residential leases (Chapter 92 Property Code) and manufactured home lots (Chapter 94 Property Code).

Maddy summaryHB 2905 limits rental application fees for apartment complexes (defined as five or more units owned and managed by the same entity) to only the actual costs of processing applications and screening applicants. Landlords must provide applicants with a detailed fee breakdown before collecting payment and submit this disclosure to the Texas Workforce Commission. Violations could result in administrative penalties of $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for repeat violations. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to fees charged after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 2909 allows courts to remove residential eviction records from public records under specific conditions. Tenants may qualify if their eviction suit lacked legal basis (with court approval) or if they maintained stable employment for two years after a final judgment. Landlords and court officials must destroy expunged records, and violating this requirement incurs $1,000 penalties plus legal fees. The bill also prohibits landlords from using expunged records when reviewing future rental applications. This policy directly affects tenants seeking to clear eviction histories and landlords managing rental applications.

Maddy summaryHB 2801 defines "epinephrine delivery devices" (including auto-injectors and nasal spray) and "medication for respiratory distress" (like albuterol) for use in schools. It requires the state health commissioner to establish an advisory committee that will develop guidelines for schools on storing, maintaining, and training staff to administer these treatments. These guidelines will apply to public and private schools and colleges, ensuring trained personnel are available for emergencies like severe allergic reactions or asthma attacks. School districts already following these guidelines will be exempt from certain administrative requirements under the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 2925 creates a state grant program for Texas hospitals to help families cover costs of food and parking while a chronically ill child receives hospital care. Hospitals can use grant funds to reimburse parents, guardians, or caregivers for actual expenses incurred at the hospital, provided the child has a designated chronic illness and the family meets Medicaid financial eligibility. The program requires hospitals to report annually on fund usage and will be reviewed every four years. It takes effect September 1, 2025, with rules to be established by the Health and Human Services Commission.

Maddy summaryHB 2906 increases civil penalties for towing companies, booting companies, and parking facility owners who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly violate Texas towing and parking laws. If they break these rules, vehicle owners can sue for $1,000 plus three times the fees charged for removal/towing/storage, $500 per day they can't use their vehicle, and reasonable costs like rental cars. The law applies only to violations occurring on or after September 1, 2025, not past incidents. It directly affects vehicle owners harmed by improper towing or booting practices.