Authored SB 555
January 31, 2019
Ensures that the condemning entity is responsible for the 7% interest penalty assessed on taxes owed by farmers and ranchers when their property is converted,…
Authored SB 554
January 31, 2019
Strengthens existing landowner protections which allow Texans the right to repurchase property seized through eminent domain unless the condemning entity can demonstrate “actual progress” on…
Authored SB 553
January 31, 2019
Requires a condemning authority to specify which parcel of a landowner’s property is needed for a desired project and which is not subject to condemnation,…
Authored SB 552
January 31, 2019
Provides landowners with increased disclosure of existing survey-related rights, including the right to negotiate survey terms and recover damages caused by a survey, as well…
Elected to the Texas Senate for the 86th Legislative Session.
November 1, 2018
Elected to the Texas Senate for the 86th Legislative Session.
Authored SB 1981
March 10, 2017
Requires UIL to undergo a competitive bidding process in selecting host cities for statewide competitions in high school athletics, academics, and music.
Authored SB 1437
March 8, 2017
Requires that all toll road authorities offer customers a pay-by-mail option, clearly differentiate invoices from bills that require payment, and check for active TxTAG accounts…
Authored & Passed SB 313
March 6, 2017
Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (Sunset Bill) -Strengthens standards for the administration of parenteral dental anesthesia, reduces the size of the board from 15…
Authored & Passed SB 314
March 6, 2017
Texas Optometry Board (Sunset Bill)- Proposes a number of conforming changes to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, updates the licensing process, strengthens enforcement actions, and…
Authored SB 1208
March 2, 2017
Improves outdated licensing standards for foster homes and other related child care settings and provides new, specialized care options for child abuse victims.
Authored & Passed SB 1107
February 27, 2017
Provides a clear and accountable regulatory structure for the operation of telemedical services in Texas.
Authored & Passed SB 1066
February 23, 2017
Requires Texas medical schools to improve the matching of medical school graduates with an in-state, post-graduate medical residency program, also known as Graduate Medical Education…
Authored SB 933
February 16, 2017
Home Health Oversight and Protection — eliminates so-called “right to correct” plans for Home and Community Services Agencies (HCSSAs) found to exhibit chronic, substandard quality…
Authored SB 932
February 16, 2017
Long-Term Care Oversight and Protection — eliminates so-called “right to correct” plans for long-term care facilities (such as nursing homes, assisted living centers, and intermediate…
Authored SB 934
February 16, 2017
Nursing Facility Liability Insurance — requires all nursing facilities in Texas to carry professional liability insurance coverage of $300,000 per occurrence and $1 million in…
Authored & Passed SB 674
January 30, 2017
Requires the Texas Medical Board to create an expedited licensure process to allow out-of-state psychiatrists to treat Texas patients in need of care.
Authored SB 629
January 26, 2017
Ending Land-Use Tax Penalty — eliminates the 7% interest penalty assessed on taxes owed by farmers and ranchers when they convert their property from an…
Authored SB 628
January 26, 2017
Actual Progress Reform — strengthens existing “Landowner’s Bill of Rights” protections which allow landowners the right to repurchase property seized through eminent domain unless the…
Authored SB 627
January 26, 2017
Informed Survey Notice — provides landowners with increased disclosure of existing survey-related rights, including the right to negotiate survey terms and recover damages caused by…
Authored SB 626
January 26, 2017
Two Clear Offers — requires a condemning authority to specify which parcel of a landowner’s property is needed for a desired project and which is…
Authored SB 575
January 23, 2017
Raises the total revenue exemption on the state’s business franchise tax from $1 million to $4 million, providing substantial tax relief for tens of thousands…
Authored SB 23 / SB 254
December 19, 2016
Requires all state contractors and subcontractors to utilize the federal E-Verify system in determining the legal work status of their employees.
Authored & Passed SB 11
December 7, 2016
This omnibus reform package aims at making critical improvements to both Child Protective Services (CPS) and the state foster care system.
Authored SB 250
November 21, 2016
Aims to cap college tuition and fees at their current levels and limit any future increases to no more than the rate of inflation.
Authored & Passed SB 8
November 17, 2016
Enacts a prohibition on two controversial abortion procedures that involve dismembering an unborn child in the womb or by partially delivering an unborn child in…
Authored SB 4
November 15, 2016
Prohibits government entities in Texas from providing funding or other material support to an abortion provider or affiliate.
Primary Sponsor & Passed HB 100 (SB 176)
November 14, 2016
Establishes a fair, predictable, and consistent statewide regulation of transportation networking companies like Uber and Lyft.
Authored & Passed SB 1407
March 12, 2015
Designed to allow foster children to live a more “normal” life by protecting foster parents from punitive damages when they allow their foster child to…
Authored & Passed SB 1406
March 12, 2015
Expands the use of the existing Child Safety Check Alert List, allows the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the Department of Public…
Authored & Passed SB 206
March 5, 2015
Department of Family Protective Services (Sunset Bill) – proposes a number of sweeping reforms and operational changes to the state agency charged with overseeing Child…
Authored SB 8
February 24, 2015
Small Business Tax Relief Act – establishes a permanent $4 million total revenue exemption from the state’s business franchise tax and provides critical tax relief…
Authored SB 538
February 10, 2015
Seeks to establish a clear command structure in future public health emergencies, guaranteeing hospitals, medical workers, and first responders access to the necessary tools to…
Authored & Passed SB 425
February 2, 2015
Requires all freestanding emergency rooms to display clear and accurate information about their charges and fees, and disclose to consumers that any charges incurred are…
Authored SB 401
January 29, 2015
Requires all state contractors and subcontractors to utilize the federal E-Verify system to determine the legal work status of their employees.
Authored & Passed SB 304
January 15, 2015
Requires the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to revoke the license of any nursing facility with three or more serious health and safety…
Authored & Passed SB 267
December 19, 2014
Provides the state with more options to protect community hospitals from closure as a result of fraud or mismanagement by a corrupt hospital administrator.
Authored & Passed SB 239
December 15, 2014
Offers student loan repayment assistance for psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, psychiatric mental health advanced practice nurses, and clinical social workers who agree to provide…
Authored SB 233
December 9, 2014
Aims to cap college tuition and fees at their current levels while limiting any future increases to no more than the rate of inflation.
Authored SB 84 / SJR 15
November 10, 2014
Provides additional highway funding by ending a number of longstanding budgetary diversions that currently draw gas tax dollars away from the State Highway Fund to…
Elected to the Texas Senate for the 84th Legislative Session.
November 1, 2014
Elected to the Texas Senate for the 84th Legislative Session.
Authored SB 1808 / SJR 61
March 8, 2013
If Texas were to negotiate and agree to a Texas-based Medicaid solution, this bill calls for an amendment to the Texas Constitution that requires state…
Co-Sponsored HB 5
February 6, 2013
Texas Public Education Reform – a package of legislative reforms intended to improve Texas schools by expanding curriculum options, enhances school accountability, and reduces the…
Authored HB 1 – Rider 48
January 15, 2013
Bans State Funds for High-Speed Rail Projects – bans the use of state taxpayer dollars to support the construction of high-speed railway in Texas.
Elected to the Texas Senate for the 83rd Legislative Session.
November 1, 2012
Elected to the Texas Senate for the 83rd Legislative Session.
Elected to the Texas House of Representatives for the 82nd Legislative Session.
November 1, 2010
Elected to the Texas House of Representatives for the 82nd Legislative Session.