Rep. Sheryl Cole

Co-sponsor HB 515

In committee · Texas House · Co-sponsor

Relating to public school policies regarding student use of personal electronic devices.

Maddy summaryHB 515 requires Texas public school districts to adopt written policies banning student use of personal electronic devices (like smartphones) during school hours. Students must store devices in lockable containers provided by the district, with exceptions for medical needs requiring written documentation from a healthcare provider. Districts must also report on policy effectiveness to the Texas Education Agency, including impacts on student behavior, mental health, and feedback from students and staff. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

EducationSupports EducationMandates device bans to improve student behavior and mental health, aligning with educational environment goals.85% confidence TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student access to personal electronic devices in schools, limiting technology use during instructional time per explicit ban on device usage.95% confidence

In committee Mar 3, 2025 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 185

In committee · Texas House · Co-sponsor

Relating to the creation of the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of Texas.

Maddy summaryHB 185 creates the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of Texas within the Education Code. The Institute will award grants to Texas institutions of higher education, medical facilities, and research partnerships to advance research on mental health issues, brain-related diseases, and substance use disorders. Its key mechanism is funding practical research and fostering collaboration to develop new treatments and prevention strategies. This bill directly affects eligible Texas research institutions and organizations seeking to expand mental health and brain health initiatives in the state.

HealthcareSupports HealthcareHB 185 funds mental health research through grants to advance treatments/prevention strategies, directly supporting healthcare innovation per its summary and HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION subject.95% confidence

In committee Feb 27, 2025 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 161

In committee · Texas House · Co-sponsor

Relating to excused absences from public school for students with a menstrual disorder.

Maddy summaryHB 161 allows Texas public school students with physician-diagnosed menstrual disorders (such as endometriosis, severe cramps, or heavy bleeding) to miss up to 10 school days per year without penalty. Students or their parents must provide medical documentation confirming the disorder to excuse absences. The bill ensures these absences do not count against attendance records, require makeup work, or result in academic penalties. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

EducationSupports EducationAllows medically necessary absences without academic penalty, improving access for students with health conditions and reducing barriers to education participation.92% confidence HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows medically documented absences for menstrual disorders, enabling healthcare access without academic penalties, aligning with patient access support in healthcare policy.85% confidence

In committee Feb 27, 2025 1 co-sponsor Track

Primary HR 208

Passed · Texas House · Lead sponsor

Congratulating Geronimo M. Rodriguez Jr. on his retirement as chief advocacy officer of Ascension Texas.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 208) congratulating Geronimo M. Rodriguez Jr. on retiring as chief advocacy officer of Ascension Texas after nearly 20 years of service. It formally recognizes his work in healthcare advocacy, cultural competence, and community initiatives like violence intervention programs and human trafficking education. The resolution has no policy provisions or impact on laws - it solely expresses the Texas House's appreciation for his career. It was unanimously adopted by the House on February 12, 2025.

Passed Feb 12, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Co-sponsor HR 161

Passed · Texas House · Co-sponsor

Congratulating Beyoncé for winning three Grammys at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 161) is a formal expression of congratulations from the Texas House of Representatives to Beyoncé for winning three Grammy Awards at the 2025 ceremony: Album of the Year, Country Album of the Year for *Cowboy Carter*, and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (with Miley Cyrus). It recognizes her historic achievements as the first Black woman to win Album of the Year since 1999 and the first Black artist to win Country Album of the Year. The resolution does not create any new laws or affect any policies; it solely honors her accomplishments.

Passed Feb 4, 2025 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 177

Introduced · Texas House · Co-sponsor

Relating to a bonus payment for certain public school employees and to the public school finance system.

Introduced Oct 19, 2023 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HB 62

Introduced · Texas House · Co-sponsor

Relating to providing school district property tax relief through rent-relief and through adjusting entitlements, compression, and exemptions under the public school finance system.

Introduced Jul 6, 2023 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor HJR 14

Introduced · Texas House · Co-sponsor

Proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads, to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts, to establish the property tax relief to rental households fund and authorize the legislature to provide payments to rental households from that fund based on a proportion of rent paid, and to except certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief and property tax relief payments to rental households from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

Introduced Jul 6, 2023 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor SB 379

Signed into law · Texas Senate · Co-sponsor

Relating to an exemption from sales and use taxes for certain family care items.

Signed into law Jun 18, 2023 1 co-sponsor

Primary SB 336

Signed into law · Texas Senate · Lead sponsor

Relating to compliance programs at public institutions of higher education.

Signed into law Jun 18, 2023 0 co-sponsors