History and Accomplishments throughout Senator Nichols’ Career & Life
Nichols has a strong conservative record focused on limited government and representing our district’s interests. He authored and passed legislation to reduce government spending, protect landowners and encourage free-markets. Before becoming a state senator, Nichols was a successful businessman who built four manufacturing facilities, earned 32 U.S. patents, and created more than 900 jobs for East Texas families. He has also served as a mayor and was appointed by then Governor George W. Bush and re-appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Texas Transportation Commission where he served for eight years.
Today
July 22, 2023
PASSED SB 2 AND SB 3 THE LAREST PROPERTY TAX CUT IN STATE HISTORY
Senate Bill 2: Senate Bill 2 increases the homestead exemption from $40,000 for most homes to $100,000. The bill also includes $7 billion for the reduction of school district maintenance and operations tax rates statewide. Senate Bill 2 also includes a 3-year pilot project for non-homesteaded property valued at $5 million or under to receive a 20% circuit-breaker on appraised value increases. It also includes a change to County Appraisal District boards of directors to include 3 county-wide, elected director positions in counties with a population of 75,000 or more. Senate Bill 3: SB 3 Doubles the franchise tax exemption for businesses. The exemption increases from $1.235 million to $2.47 million, eliminating this tax for 67,000 businesses. SB 3 also eliminated a “nuisance-tax,” which required businesses that did not owe any franchise taxes to file “No Tax Due” paperwork.
June 16, 2023
PASSED SB 222: MATERNITY LEAVE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES
Senate Bill 222: guarantees paid maternity leave for state employees. Women who give birth to a child, adopt a child, or have a child via surrogacy are now entitled to eight weeks of paid leave. Men who’s spouse has a child, adopt, or has a child via surrogacy are also now entitled to four weeks of paid leave.
June 14, 2023
PASSED SB 10: RETIRED TEACHERS COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT
SB 10: gives a bonus stipend for certain retired teachers. Retired teachers who are 75 and older will receive a bonus check of $7,500, and retirees between the ages of 70 and 74 will receive a $2,400 bonus check. Eligible retirees will also receive between a 2 percent and 6 percent cost-of-living adjustment depending on when they retire. The supplemental checks and the cost-of-living adjustment provide $5 billion in benefit enhancement.
June 13, 2023
PASSED HB 7297: ELIMINATION OF ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTIONS
HB 3297: eliminates vehicle inspection requirements starting in 2025.
June 9, 2023
PASSED HB 9: IMPROVING TEXAS BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE
House Bill 9: Creates the Broadband Infrastructure Fund. The bill allocates $1.5 billion to a new fund meant to expand internet availability. The appropriation will help finance and develop high-speed internet services and provide matching funds for federal money from various sources.
June 9, 2023
PASSED HB 8: COMMUNITY COLLEGE FINANCE REFORM
HB 8: shifts the funding balance away from the old formula to a system driven by student outcomes. Rewards schools for the number of credentials awarded in high-demand industries, the number of students who earn 15 credit hours and transfer to a four-year institution, or the number of students who earn 15 credit hours as part of a dual-credit program.
June 7, 2023
PASSED SB 22: RURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM
SB 22: creates grant programs for rural sheriffs’, constables’, and rural prosecutors’ offices.
May 13, 2023
PASSED SB 505: ELECTRIC VEHICLE ROAD USE EQUALIZATION
SB 505: increases the registration fee for electric vehicles to adequately compensate for the loss of state and federal gasoline fuel tax revenue. This aims to solve the growing problem fairly and provide adequate funding for the State Highway Fund.
May 1, 2023
PASSED SB 1055: Stephen F. Austin State University to the University of Texas System
SB 1055: Moves SFA into the UT System while maintaining SFA’s name, colors, mascot, and identity.
September 17, 2021
Passed SB 6 Bail Reform
Prohibits the release of violent offenders on personal bonds or the release of offenders who are charged with additional crimes while out on bail. It also requires more judicial training, data collection, and that officials examine a defendant’s criminal history before setting bail. Relating to rules for setting the amount of bail, to the release of certain defendants on a monetary bond or personal bond, to related duties of certain officers taking bail bonds and of a magistrate in a criminal case, to charitable bail organizations, and to the reporting of information pertaining to bail bonds.
September 7, 2021
Passed SB 1 Election Integrity
Ensures that early voting hours are standardized and expanded statewide. It also protects the sanctity of the ballot by strengthening the requirements for mail-in voting by adding identification requirements to mail-in ballots. Relating to election integrity and security, including by preventing fraud in the conduct of elections in this state; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses.
August 30, 2021
Passed SB 1 and SJR 2 Homestead Exemption Increase – Property tax relief measure
The Legislature passed Senate Bill 1 and Senate Joint Resolution 2, which puts a constitutional amendment before Texans to lower their property taxes. SJR 2 will increase the homestead exemption from $25,000 in appraised home value to $40,000, equating to a 60% increase over existing law.
June 18, 2021
Passed SB 15 Data Privacy
Authored legislation to crack down on robocallers running car warranty scams and protect drivers’ privacy from public data. Relating to the Texas Consumer Privacy Act Phase I; creating criminal offenses; increasing the punishment for an existing criminal offense.
June 16, 2021
Passed HB 19 Trucking Litigation Reform
Cuts down on frivolous lawsuits in the trucking industry and other commercial vehicles. Relating to civil liability of a commercial motor vehicle owner or operator, including the effect that changes to that liability have on commercial automobile insurance.
June 16, 2021
Passed HB 1239 Freedom to Worship Act
Ensures that houses of worship are protected from being forced to close under any emergency powers in the future. Relating to the prohibited suspension of laws protecting religious freedom and prohibited closure of places of worship
June 15, 2021
Passed HB 5 Broadband Accessibility
Authored legislation of meaningful broadband reform to expand broadband services across Texas. Relating to the expansion of broadband services to certain areas.
June 14, 2021
Passed SB 6 Business Pandemic Liability Protection
Provides retroactive liability protections for large and small businesses, health care providers, and first responders. Relating to election integrity and security, including by preventing fraud in the conduct of elections in this state; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses.
June 14, 2021
Passed SB 827 Insulin Co-Pay Cap
Limits the out-of-pocket cost of insulin. Relating to health benefit plan cost-sharing requirements for prescription insulin.
June 8, 2021
Passed SB 1336 Improving Texas’ Spending Limit
Relating to a limit on the rate of growth of certain appropriations.
June 8, 2021
Passed SB 3 ERCOT Reforms
Requires upgrades for power generators and transmission lines improvements to withstand extreme weather. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas will conduct inspections of the facilities, and failure to weatherize may result in penalties. Substantial changes to the governance of Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (“ERCOT”). Relating to preparing for, preventing, and responding to weather emergencies and power outages; increasing the amount of administrative and civil penalties.
June 8, 2021
Passed SB 2 Public Utility Commission Reforms
Established that rules adopted by ERCOT under delegated authority by the PUC may not take effect before receiving PUC approval. Relating to the governance of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Office of Public Utility Counsel, and an independent organization certified to manage a power region.
June 1, 2021
Passed HB 1900 and SB 23 Prevent Defunding of Police
Requires major counties hold an election before reducing their law enforcement budgets. The House bill would financially punish the state’s larger cities if they cut police funds. Relating to an election to approve a reduction or reallocation of funding or resources for certain county law enforcement agencies.
May 27, 2019
Authored SB 14 Rural Broadband
Increased access to broadband internet for rural areas in Texas (86th Session)
May 27, 2019
Co-Authored SB 6, 7, & 8 Disaster Relief Bills
Bolstered the state’s emergency preparedness and disaster relief programs (86th Session)
May 27, 2019
Passed SB2 Texas Property Tax Reform
Taxing entities must seek voter approval before levying a 3.5 percent property tax increase (86th Session)
May 27, 2019
Passed HB 3 Funding Texas Public Education
Provided $6.5 billion for public education, including raise in funding per student and teacher salary raises (86th Session)
May 27, 2019
Passed SB 12 Teacher Retirement System
Ensures Texas teachers’ pension system remains financially stable (86th Session)
May 27, 2019
Passed a Balanced Budget
Served on the Senate Finance Committee and passed a $250 billion budget with no line-item vetoes from the Governor (86th Session)
May 27, 2019
Passed SB 11 School Safety Bill
Provided funding for schools to implement emergency operations plans, training, and safety upgrades (86th Session)
May 27, 2019
Passed HB 1631 Ban Red Light Cameras
Banned red light cameras that take a photo of vehicles then issue a ticket to the owner (86th Session)
May 27, 2019
Passed SB 1978 Protecting Our Religious Liberties
Provides protections for people and businesses who have donated to, supported, or are affiliated with a religious organization (86th Session)
May 27, 2019
Passed HB 2048 Drivers Responsibility Act
Eliminated the DRP that left low-income drivers in a cycle of debt. Individuals with DWIs will face additional fines up to $6000 after (86th Session)
May 29, 2017
Supported American Steel (SB 1289)
Created preference for American steel in infrastructure projects (85th Session)
May 29, 2017
Supported TRS-Care bill (HB 3976)-
Added state funding to teacher’s healthcare fund (85th Session)
May 29, 2017
Supported Pension Reform (HB 3158)
Improved Houston Firefighters and Dallas Police officers solvency (85th Session)
May 29, 2017
Supported Mental Health Funding
Supported mental health funding, including $300 million for new and replacement state hospitals (85th Session)
May 29, 2017
Supported TxDOT Sunset Bill (SB 312)
Implemented recommendations on the agency (85th Session)
May 29, 2017
Supported Ports Corridor Bill (SB 1524)
Ensured those who manufacture products for export could compete with the rest of the nation (85th Session)
May 29, 2017
Supported SB 8
Prohibits partial-birth abortions (85th Session)
May 29, 2017
Co-authored Sermon Protection Act (SB 24)
(85th Session)
May 29, 2017
Supported HB 13- mental health grant program
(85th Session)
May 29, 2017
Passed a Balanced Budget
Passed a balanced budget, with provisions to hire 600 new caseworkers for abused/neglected children, $800 million to secure the border and hiring of 250 new troopers, and $25 million for protective vests for law enforcement (85th Session)
May 29, 2017
Authored SB 16
Authored SB 16- license to carry fee reduction from $70 to $40 (85th Session)
June 1, 2015
June 1, 2015
Supported franchise tax cuts
HB 32- cuts franchise tax rates by 25% for all businesses paying the tax (84th Session)
June 1, 2015
Supported reduction of transportation debt
Supported SJR 5/HB 20- dedicates $2.5 billion + 35% of motor vehicle sales tax revenues over $5 billion annually to reducing transportation debt (84th Session)
June 1, 2015
Supported mobility fund
Supported mobility fund to reduce transportation-related debt (HB 122) (84th Session)
June 1, 2015
Supported open carry with background check (HB 910)
Allows Texans to open carry as long as they meet current CHL background check requirements (84th Session)
June 1, 2015
Supported Women Veterans Initiative
HB 867 to make Women Veterans Initiative permanent (84th Session)
June 1, 2015
Provided high quality Pre-K (HB 4)
84th Session
June 1, 2015
June 1, 2015
Supported increase in education basic allotment
From $5,040 to $5,140 in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (84th Session)
June 1, 2015
Supported improvements to Rusk State Hospital
$4 million/year (84th Session)
June 1, 2015
Supported Shepherd ISD land trasfer
SB 38 (84th Session)
June 1, 2015
June 1, 2015
Helped fund STEM building at SFA
SFA to receive a $46.4 million tuition revenue bond (TRB) to fund a Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) building on campus (84th Session)
June 1, 2015
Helped fund new LSCO building
Lamar State College-Orange (LSCO) to receive a $10 million TRB to fund a multi-purpose education building on campus (84th Session)
June 1, 2015
Legislator of the Year
Named Legislator of the Year by Texas Forestry Association
June 1, 2015
Passed a Balanced Budget
Passed a balanced budget that was $2 billion under the spending cap
June 1, 2015
Supported Border Security
Passed an $800 million border security package
June 1, 2015
Passed Pastor Protection Act
Passed Pastor Protection Act (SB 2065)- protects First Amendment rights of pastors (84th Session)
June 1, 2015
Supported $4 billion in tax relief
84th Session
June 1, 2015
Supported Teacher Retirement System of Texas funding
Supported allocation of funds to Teacher Retirement System of Texas (HB 2) (84th Session)
May 27, 2013
Protected the elderly and disabled with legislation
Medicaid fraud crack down (SB 8) and expanded delivery options for healthcare (SB 7) (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Supported drug testing for those who receive unemployment and welfare benefits
Unemployment benefits- SB 21; welfare benefits- SB 11 (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Supported Justin’s Law
HB 1302- Tougher penalties for sex offenders (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Created State Water Implementation Fund of Texas (SWIFT)
HB 4 (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Co-authored Mental Health First Aid Bill
SB 955 (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Overhauled the state’s oversight of investor-owned water and sewer utilities (IOUs)
SB 567 (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Forest Advocacy
Authored SB 1267- TIMOS liability; Sponsored HB 487- volunteer firefighter liability; Sponsored HB 2741- creates an optional timber-specific permit that allows loggers to load up to 44k lbs. on a tandem axle; Supported numerous grant applications for VFDs in all years (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Passed a Balanced Budget
Passed a balanced budget with no new taxes (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Reformed School Standardized Testing
HB 5 cuts number of tests from 15 to 5 (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
May 27, 2013
Passed HB 1133
Telecom tax credit of $100 million
May 27, 2013
Helped make permanent franchise tax exemptions
For businesses with less than $1 million in annual revenues (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Passed Research and Development Tax Credit
HB 800- provides $240 million in additional tax relief (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Eliminated System Benefit Fund Fee on Electric Utility Bills
HB 7- resulting in $140 million in fee cuts for consumers annually (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Renewed the Texas Economic Development Act
HB 3390 (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Preserved the health of the Rainy Day Fund
83rd Session
May 27, 2013
Improved consumer rate regulation process
Transferred these functions from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the Public Utility Commission (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Improved process for inter-basin water transfers
Passed HB 3233 (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Passed Merry Christmas bill
HB 308 (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Supported new transportation revenue for TxDOT
Passed SJR 1/HB 1 (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Limited practice of funding the Dept. of Public Safety from Highway Fund
Ended $400 million in diversions (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Reduced dependence on tolls
83rd Session
May 27, 2013
Improved road safety
SB 510- Drivers required to vacate lanes when construction workers are present (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Protected Texas taxpayers with legislation
Contracts with predefined “buy-back” provisions (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Sped up environmental review process
Passed SB 466 (83rd Session)
May 27, 2013
Prohibited a free road from being converted into a toll road
Passed SB 1029 (83rd Session)
May 30, 2011
Forest Advocacy
Sponsored HB 612 and HB 613- timber theft bills; Sponsored SB 732- Tree cutting bill- “vegetation without representation”; Sponsored HB 3309- maximum weights for state highways, roads, and bridges; Authored SB 646- Texas Forest Service Sunset Bill- 1) Prevented the closure of local TFS sites and 2) Prevented the layoff of “boots on the ground” (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
Passed a balanced budget with no new taxes
82nd Session
May 30, 2011
Extended small business tax exemption
82nd Session
May 30, 2011
Helped fund education
Reduced the original intended cut in the budget; secured previously denied federal funds (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
Established protections for water users
SB 573- provides a way out of the water provider monopoly so users can contract with whoever they choose (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
Secured the vote with voter ID requirements
SB 14 (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
May 30, 2011
Promoted private property rights
SB 1812- requires background checks for right-of-way agents licensed in Texas (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
Extended second amendment rights
Passed legislation to prohibit employers from banning employees from storing a gun in their car in a company parking lot (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
May 30, 2011
Continued to prevent unnecessary privatization of Texas roads
Gave locals control of the roads (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
Prevented Medicaid fraud
SB 688 (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
May 30, 2011
Established a streamlined process for toll project development
SB 19 (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
Provided enhanced groundwater safety notifications
SB 430 (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
Sponsored HB 444
Required the TCEQ to provide a copy of an injection well application to the groundwater conservation district (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
Authorized Alabama-Coushatta Indian tribe to establish their own police force
SB 1378- Polk and Tyler Counties (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
May 30, 2011
Required criminal background checks for EMT licensure
Sponsored HB 1476 (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
Created a “Choose Life” license place
Co-authored SB 257 (82nd Session)
May 30, 2011
Denied pension benefits to state officials convicted of certain crimes
Co-authored SB 371 (82nd Session)
July 2, 2009
Reformed transportation policy
81st Session- Special Session
June 1, 2009
June 1, 2009
Encouraged job growth
HB 1914- Cut taxes for many small businesses and removed competition from prison labor (81st Session)
June 1, 2009
Fought for landowners’ rights
Co-authored legislation to allow Texans to vote on a constitutional amendment to strengthen landowners’ rights (81st Session)
June 1, 2009
Supported veterans and their families
SB 93, or the Hazelwood Legacy Act, waived tuition at a public college/university for children of veterans; HB 3613 also exempted fully disabled veterans from paying property taxes (81st Session)
June 1, 2009
Prevented gang violence
HB 2680- provided new tools for law enforcement to fight against gangs (81st Session)
June 1, 2009
Strengthened border security
With same tools used to prevent gang violence (81st Session)
June 1, 2009
Increased funding for public education
81st Session
June 1, 2009
Promoted higher education opportunities
40% increase in funding for the TEXAS grant program (81st Session)
June 1, 2009
Allowed Polk County to pay 1970s historical price for new higher education center
SB 1670- allowing Polk County to pay the 1970s historical price for land in order to establish a new higher education center in Livingston (81st Session)
June 1, 2009
Protected individuals in state care
SB 643- requiring significant reforms to prevent abuse and neglect (81st Session)
June 1, 2009
Secured funding for a Lukfin distribution center for disaster relief
helped victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike (81st Session)
June 1, 2009
Reduced spread of flu virus
HB 1409- allowed pharmacists to administer the flu vaccine to children ages 7-14; SB 1171- improved communication with local health authorities (81st Session)
June 1, 2009
Preserved the name of Stephen F. Austin State University
SB 596 (81st Session)
June 1, 2009
Forest Advocacy
Sponsored HB 2914- fuel mitigation pilot programs for fire departments; Sponsored HB 3340- conveyance of state forest land in Cherokee County under control of the Texas A&M Board of Regents; Authored SB 1668- TDA Biomass program- legislation amended to ensure biomass fuel sources did not adversely affect other timber-product businesses; Protected use of timber for electric poles; Supported increase in funding of $7 million for Texas Wildfire Protection Plan; Supported increase in funding for Rural Volunteer Fire Dept. Insurance Program and Rural Fire Dept. Assistance Program; Fought legislation to require green building costs (81st Session)
May 28, 2007
Passed a fiscally sound budget with no new taxes
80th Session
May 28, 2007
Provided property tax relief
Extended a 33% tax cut to seniors and disabled taxpayers (80th Session)
May 28, 2007
Sponsored the Landowner Bill of Rights
HB 1495- explains the process of eminent domain in language easily understood by the average property owner (80th Session)
May 28, 2007
May 28, 2007
Co-authored Castle Doctrine
SB 378- allows Texans to use deadly force against intruders on their home or occupied vehicle (80th Session)
May 28, 2007
Passed a moratorium on privately owned and operated toll roads
SB 792 (80th Session)
May 28, 2007
Helped pass SB 792
Improves the transportation funding mechanism and grants toll road authorities the opportunity to complete and extend projects (80th Session)
May 28, 2007
Strengthened border security
SB 11 (80th Session)
May 28, 2007
Protected children from predators with Jessica’s Law
HB 8- toughens penalties on child molesters (80th Session)
May 28, 2007
Funded the new DeWitt School of Nursing at SFA
HB 1775 (80th Session)
May 28, 2007
Provided harsher penalties for concealing murder
HB 872 (80th Session)
May 28, 2007
Created new Montgomery County Courts
80th Session
May 28, 2007
Combatted hydrilla on Texas lakes
SB 825 (80th Session)
May 28, 2007
Protected water rights
SB 3 (80th Session)
May 28, 2007
May 28, 2007
Protected Texans in rural and unincorporated areas
With ratemaking reforms for water and wastewater utilities (80th Session)
Political Ad. Paid for by Robert Nichols for Texas Senate.
CONTACT
Phone: (903) 586-1200
Fax: (903) 586-7877
Email: info@nicholsforsenate.com
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2347
Jacksonville, Texas 75766
Physical Address:
214 East Commerce Street
Jacksonville, Texas 75766
MEET ROBERT NICHOLS
Texas Sen. Robert Nichols is a devoted husband and father who shares our conservative East Texas values. Sen. Nichols cares deeply about Texas and our country.