Rep. Lauren Simmons

Maddy summaryHB 2924 requires Texas Medicaid to reimburse parents or caregivers for food and parking costs incurred while a chronically ill child under 18 receives hospital care for that illness. To qualify, the child must have a chronic illness designated by the Medicaid commissioner, be hospitalized for that condition, and the costs must be paid by the parent/guardian during the hospital stay. The bill mandates the commissioner to establish which illnesses qualify and set reasonable reimbursement limits. This policy change directly affects families of chronically ill children receiving inpatient care under Medicaid, ensuring coverage for these specific non-medical hospital expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 2792 requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to study the costs and impacts of capital punishment, comparing death penalty sentencing to life without parole (including expenses like execution, housing, and appeals) and examining demographic disparities and effects on victim and defendant families. It also imposes a moratorium on executions in Texas from September 1, 2025, through September 1, 2029, meaning no executions can occur during this period. The study must be completed by December 1, 2028, with results submitted to the governor, legislature, and Board of Pardons and Paroles. This bill directly affects the state’s execution process, death row inmates, and future policy decisions regarding capital punishment.

Maddy summaryHB 2907 prevents landlords from using a tenant's name or image for commercial purposes without the tenant's explicit consent. Lease agreements must include a clear opt-out option for tenants, and any such authorization is only valid during the lease term. If a landlord violates this law - by using a tenant's name/image without consent or forcing agreement - the lease provision is void, and tenants can recover one month's rent, obtain court orders to stop the use, and claim legal fees. The law applies to leases signed or renewed on or after September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 131 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas to expand Medicaid eligibility to all individuals who apply and qualify under federal standards set by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including those currently excluded due to Texas' existing income limits. If passed, it would mandate the state to accept federal Medicaid matching funds to cover these individuals, directly affecting hundreds of thousands of low-income Texans who currently lack coverage. The amendment would take effect January 1, 2026, pending voter approval in the November 2025 election. This would legally bind Texas to implement the ACA's Medicaid expansion, which the state has not adopted since the law's passage.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution designates March 18, 2025, as "Omega Psi Phi Day" at the Texas State Capitol to honor the fraternity's visit. It recognizes Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's century-long history (founded 1911), its community work in education and health initiatives, and its over 50 chapters across Texas. The resolution has no legal effect - it is purely symbolic recognition of the fraternity's service. It does not create new laws or impact any policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2604 would require Texas to expand Medicaid eligibility to all low-income Texans who qualify under the federal Affordable Care Act, using available federal matching funds. It directly affects individuals with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level who currently lack Medicaid coverage. The bill mandates the state to provide medical assistance to all eligible applicants and requires annual reports starting in 2026 on how the expansion impacts coverage rates, state/local health costs, and hospital charity care. The policy change takes effect January 1, 2026, contingent on a related constitutional amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 2475 requires Texas medical schools to offer approved coursework in cultural competence and implicit bias as a condition for awarding M.D. or D.O. degrees. Medical students must complete this training to graduate, with coursework designed to address health decisions related to race, ethnicity, gender, language, disability, and socioeconomic status. The Texas Medical Board will approve the required curriculum, developed with input from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and medical education organizations. The bill mandates that schools adopt these requirements by December 2025, applying only to students enrolling after the rules take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2471 requires municipal utility districts to apply security deposit deductions only to the tenant or landlord directly responsible for damages or charges, rather than using one party's deposit to cover the other's liabilities. It directly affects landlords and tenants who pay separate security deposits for utility services through municipal districts. The bill amends the Water Code to prohibit districts from deducting costs from a deposit belonging to a party not responsible for the damages. The law takes effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote, otherwise on September 1, 2025. This changes how districts handle deposit refunds but does not alter deposit amounts or create new fees.

Maddy summaryHB 2474 requires the Texas Board of Medical Examiners, working with the Texas Workforce Commission, to conduct a study on OB/GYN education and retention in Texas. The study must assess available training programs, track how many OB/GYNs who graduated in Texas remain practicing there versus moving to other states (over 10 years), compare student enrollment before/after the Dobbs decision and Texas' SB 8 abortion law, and evaluate if current workforce meets healthcare needs. The board must submit a report with findings and recommendations by December 1, 2026. This is a data-gathering study with no immediate policy changes; it expires January 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 2472 requires employers to pay all credit or debit card tips directly to tipped employees (like waitstaff or bartenders) by their first payday after the tip is left. It prohibits employers from keeping any portion of these tips - such as for card processing fees - and declares this a felony (3rd degree) for violations. The law applies only to card tips, not cash tips, and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas tipped workers by ensuring they receive all customer tips left via card.