“This priority legislation strengthens our support for life, liberty and Texas values. It increases protections for taxpayers, ensures that our democracy remains strong and that our economy will continue to grow and create jobs.”

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced the bills he has selected as his top priorities for the 2019 Legislative Session today. The bills designated as priorities are a result of requests and recommendations from senators and the people of Texas. While these bills represent the top 30, there are a number of additional critical bills that Lt. Gov. Patrick supports and will help pass in the current session. The lieutenant governor made the following statement on issuing his priority list:

“Today I am announcing 30 priority bills for the Texas Senate for the 2019 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 1, at the top of the list, is a conservative Texas budget that includes $800 million for border security, funding for property tax reform and an across-the-board teacher pay raise. Senate Bill 2 – property tax reform – is my top policy priority.

“Senate Bill 3 – the across-the-board teacher pay raise – has already unanimously passed the Texas Senate. True school finance reform starts with paying our teachers more. Aside from a parent, nothing has more impact on the future success of a child than a teacher.

“The remaining bills are not only my priorities, they are also priorities of the majority of the Texas Senate and the conservative majority of Texas. They strengthen our support for life, liberty and Texas values, increase protections for taxpayers, and ensure that our democracy remains strong and our economy will continue to grow and create jobs. I am proud to support this legislation and look forward to working with the senators who have authored these bills to get them passed and signed into law.”

Life, Liberty and Conservative Texas Values

SB 9 –   Enhance Election Security

SB 13 – Ethics Reform

SB 15 – Protecting Local Free Markets

SB 17 – Protecting Religious Liberties

SB 18 – Protecting Campus Free Speech

SB 19 – Protecting Second Amendment Rights

SB 20 – Stop Human Trafficking

SB 22 – Defund Abortion Providers

SB 23 – Texas Born-Alive Infant Protection Act

SB 24 – Alternatives to Abortion Information Act

Taxpayer Protections

SB 1 – State Budget

SB 2 – Property Tax Reform

SB 5 – Increase the Homestead Exemption

SB 27 – Stop Government Overreach

SB 28 – Stop Frivolous Government Lawsuits

SB 29 – Stop Taxpayer Funded Lobbying

SB 30 – Taxpayers Right to Know – Bond Transparency

Protecting Texas’ Future

SB 3 – Across-the-Board Pay Raise for Teachers

SB 4 – School Finance Reform

SB 6 – Disaster Response Act

SB 7 – Flood Disaster Plan – Matching Fund

SB 8 – Statewide Flood Plan

SB 10 – Student Targeted Mental Health

SB 11 – School Safety Act

SB 12 – Retired Teacher Security Act

SB 14 – Expand Rural Broadband

SB 16 – Police College Loan Forgiveness

SB 21 – Raise Smoking Age to 21

SB 25 – Higher Education Credit Transfer

SB 26 – Honoring State Parks Commitment

2019 Priority Bills by Number:

SB1 – State Budget – Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound
SB2 – Property Tax Reform – Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston
SB3 – Across-the-Board Pay Raise for Teachers – Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound
SB4 – School Finance Reform – Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood
SB5 – Increase the Homestead Exemption – Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston
SB6 – Disaster Response Act – Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham
SB7 – Flood Disaster Plan – Matching Fund – Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe
SB8 – Statewide Flood Plan – Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock
SB9 – Enhance Election Security – Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola
SB10 – Student Targeted Mental Health – Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound
SB11 – School Safety – Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood
SB12 – Retired Teachers’ Security Act – Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston
SB13 – Ethics Reform – Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe
SB14 – Expand Rural Broadband – Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville
SB15 – Protecting Local Free Markets – Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe
SB16 – Police College Loan Forgiveness – Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills
SB17 – Protecting Religious Liberties – Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock
SB18 – Protecting Campus Free Speech – Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston
SB19 – Protecting Second Amendment Rights – Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola
SB20 – Stop Human Trafficking – Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston
SB21 – Raise the Smoking Age 21 – Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston
SB22 – Defund Abortion Providers – Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels
SB23 – Texas Born-Alive Infant Protection Act – Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham
SB24 – Alternatives to Abortion Information Act – Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville
SB25 – Higher Education Credit Transfer – Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas
SB26 – Honoring State Parks Commitment – Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham
SB27 – Stop Government Overreach – Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola
SB28 – Stop Frivolous Government Lawsuits – Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston
SB29 – Stop Taxpayer Funded Lobbying – Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood
SB30 – Taxpayers Right to Know – Bond Transparency – Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury