Rep. Sheryl Cole

Maddy summaryHB 1098 requires Texas Medicaid and certain private health insurance plans to cover abortion services, FDA-approved contraception (including device insertion/removal), and voluntary sterilization (like vasectomies) without cost-sharing or pre-approval. The bill mandates that Medicaid reimbursement must be provided regardless of federal funding availability and prohibits deductibles, copays, prior authorization, or delays in coverage for these services. It directly affects Medicaid recipients and individuals enrolled in health benefit plans governed by Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1218. The law overrides prior restrictions, ensuring these reproductive health services are covered consistently under state and federal law.

Maddy summaryHR 24 is a memorial resolution honoring John Brotherton, a Pflugerville barbecue restaurateur who passed away in 2024. The resolution, adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on March 6, 2025, pays tribute to Brotherton's contributions to Texas barbecue culture, including his work at Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue, which was featured in Texas Monthly. It extends condolences to his family and recognizes his legacy as a respected community figure. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact and directly affects only his family and local community.

Maddy summaryHR 20 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Texas House of Representatives to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Ebenezer Third Baptist Church in Austin, founded in 1875. The resolution formally recognizes the church’s history, including its founding by Reverend C. Ward, its 1885 brick sanctuary, its 1938 radio debut by the Bright and Early Choir (the first African American choir to perform on a Texas commercial radio program), and its ongoing community role. It includes no new policies or funding but expresses the House’s "high regard" for the congregation through a formal resolution and a physical copy for the church. This is purely ceremonial, with no direct impact on residents, laws, or government programs.

Maddy summaryThis is a memorial resolution honoring Ara La'Shon Duke, who died on June 15, 2024, at age 54. The resolution recognizes her life, including her career in water services and education, community involvement with organizations like NPH USA, and family. It was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on March 6, 2025, as a ceremonial tribute. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses the House's condolences to her family and commemorates her legacy. (Note: As a memorial resolution, it is procedural with no substantive policy changes.)

Maddy summaryThis is a memorial resolution (not a policy bill) passed by the Texas House of Representatives. It honors William Matthew Biggar, a 23-year-old Austin resident who died in October 2024, and extends condolences to his family. The resolution formally recognizes his life, including his education, athletic achievements, volunteer work, and personal qualities like kindness and humor. It affects no one through policy changes - it simply serves as an official tribute from the House to Biggar's family and community.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution honoring Lyndsey Captain Vicknair, a construction attorney from Manor, Texas, who passed away on June 15, 2024, at age 33. The resolution recognizes her educational background (including degrees in criminal justice, law, and energy resources), her professional work with the Chapman Firm in Austin, her family life as a devoted wife and mother of three children, and her community involvement including advocacy for sickle cell anemia awareness. It expresses the Texas House of Representatives' condolences to her husband, children, sister, and extended family. As a memorial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official tribute to her life and legacy.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) honoring Albert Black, an Austin educator and community leader who passed away on August 11, 2024. The resolution recognizes his 27-year career at the Texas Education Agency, his leadership at Child Inc. Head Start, and his service to the Austin community through faith-based organizations and mentoring. The Texas House of Representatives formally pays tribute to his life and extends sympathy to his family, including his wife Kathy, son Elijah, and grandchildren Karis and Trey. The resolution was adopted by the House on March 6, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 21), not a substantive bill. It formally congratulates Aaditya R. Bhat, a student at Austin's Liberal Arts and Science Academy, on earning the Eagle Scout rank in Scouts BSA. The resolution highlights his leadership, merit badges in areas like first aid and environmental science, and his Eagle Scout project building a chessboard at his school. It contains no policy changes, funding, or legal requirements - it simply expresses the Texas House's recognition of his achievement. As a non-binding resolution, it directly affects only Aaditya R. Bhat and has no broader legislative impact.

Maddy summaryHR 349 is a commemorative resolution by the Texas House of Representatives to mark Huston-Tillotson University's 150th anniversary on February 28, 2025. It honors the university's history as the oldest higher education institution in Austin, tracing its origins to 1875 as Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute and its 1952 merger with Samuel Huston College. The resolution extends "sincere best wishes for the future" to the university's faculty, students, staff, and alumni and directs an official copy be presented to the institution. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding legal effect or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 23) honoring Chris Riley, a former Austin City Council member who died in July 2024. The resolution recognizes his service on the City Council and Planning Commission, his advocacy for bike infrastructure, housing density policies, and community work in Austin. It was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on March 6, 2025, as a tribute to his life and legacy. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents.