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.
Banned red light cameras that take a photo of vehicles then issue a ticket to the owner (86th Session)
Provides protections for people and businesses who have donated to, supported, or are affiliated with a religious organization (86th Session)
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)
Increased access to broadband internet for rural areas in Texas (86th Session)
Bolstered the state’s emergency preparedness and disaster relief programs (86th Session)
Taxing entities must seek voter approval before levying a 3.5 percent property tax increase (86th Session)
Provided $6.5 billion for public education, including raise in funding per student and teacher salary raises (86th Session)
Ensures Texas teachers’ pension system remains financially stable (86th Session)
Served on the Senate Finance Committee and passed a $250 billion budget with no line-item vetoes from the Governor (86th Session)
Provided funding for schools to implement emergency operations plans, training, and safety upgrades (86th Session)
Added state funding to teacher’s healthcare fund (85th Session)
Improved Houston Firefighters and Dallas Police officers solvency (85th Session)
Created preference for American steel in infrastructure projects (85th Session)
Implemented recommendations on the agency (85th Session)
Ensured those who manufacture products for export could compete with the rest of the nation (85th Session)
Prohibits partial-birth abortions (85th Session)
(85th Session)
Authored SB 16- license to carry fee reduction from $70 to $40 (85th Session)
(85th Session)
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)
Supported mental health funding, including $300 million for new and replacement state hospitals (85th Session)
HB 867 to make Women Veterans Initiative permanent (84th Session)
SFA to receive a $46.4 million tuition revenue bond (TRB) to fund a Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) building on campus (84th Session)
84th Session
Lamar State College-Orange (LSCO) to receive a $10 million TRB to fund a multi-purpose education building on campus (84th Session)
From $5,040 to $5,140 in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (84th Session)
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)
$4 million/year (84th Session)
SB 38 (84th Session)
Supported mobility fund to reduce transportation-related debt (HB 122) (84th Session)
Allows Texans to open carry as long as they meet current CHL background check requirements (84th Session)
HB 32- cuts franchise tax rates by 25% for all businesses paying the tax (84th Session)
Named Legislator of the Year by Texas Forestry Association
Passed a balanced budget that was $2 billion under the spending cap
Passed an $800 million border security package
Passed Pastor Protection Act (SB 2065)- protects First Amendment rights of pastors (84th Session)
84th Session
Supported allocation of funds to Teacher Retirement System of Texas (HB 2) (84th Session)
HB 1302- Tougher penalties for sex offenders (83rd Session)
HB 4 (83rd Session)
SB 955 (83rd Session)
SB 567 (83rd Session)
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)
Medicaid fraud crack down (SB 8) and expanded delivery options for healthcare (SB 7) (83rd Session)
Unemployment benefits- SB 21; welfare benefits- SB 11 (83rd Session)
HB 308 (83rd Session)
Passed SJR 1/HB 1 (83rd Session)
Ended $400 million in diversions (83rd Session)
Telecom tax credit of $100 million
83rd Session
For businesses with less than $1 million in annual revenues (83rd Session)
SB 510- Drivers required to vacate lanes when construction workers are present (83rd Session)
HB 800- provides $240 million in additional tax relief (83rd Session)
Contracts with predefined “buy-back” provisions (83rd Session)
HB 7- resulting in $140 million in fee cuts for consumers annually (83rd Session)
Passed SB 466 (83rd Session)
HB 3390 (83rd Session)
Passed SB 1029 (83rd Session)
83rd Session
Passed a balanced budget with no new taxes (83rd Session)
Transferred these functions from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the Public Utility Commission (83rd Session)
HB 5 cuts number of tests from 15 to 5 (83rd Session)
Passed HB 3233 (83rd Session)
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)
SB 1812- requires background checks for right-of-way agents licensed in Texas (82nd Session)
Sponsored HB 1476 (82nd Session)
Passed legislation to prohibit employers from banning employees from storing a gun in their car in a company parking lot (82nd Session)
Co-authored SB 257 (82nd Session)
Co-authored SB 371 (82nd Session)
Gave locals control of the roads (82nd Session)
SB 688 (82nd Session)
82nd Session
82nd Session
SB 19 (82nd Session)
Reduced the original intended cut in the budget; secured previously denied federal funds (82nd Session)
SB 430 (82nd Session)
SB 573- provides a way out of the water provider monopoly so users can contract with whoever they choose (82nd Session)
Required the TCEQ to provide a copy of an injection well application to the groundwater conservation district (82nd Session)
SB 14 (82nd Session)
SB 1378- Polk and Tyler Counties (82nd Session)
81st Session- Special Session
81st Session
40% increase in funding for the TEXAS grant program (81st Session)
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)
SB 643- requiring significant reforms to prevent abuse and neglect (81st Session)
helped victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike (81st Session)
HB 1409- allowed pharmacists to administer the flu vaccine to children ages 7-14; SB 1171- improved communication with local health authorities (81st Session)
HB 1914- Cut taxes for many small businesses and removed competition from prison labor (81st Session)
SB 596 (81st Session)
Co-authored legislation to allow Texans to vote on a constitutional amendment to strengthen landowners’ rights (81st Session)
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)
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)
HB 2680- provided new tools for law enforcement to fight against gangs (81st Session)
With same tools used to prevent gang violence (81st Session)
HB 1495- explains the process of eminent domain in language easily understood by the average property owner (80th Session)
SB 3 (80th Session)
SB 378- allows Texans to use deadly force against intruders on their home or occupied vehicle (80th Session)
With ratemaking reforms for water and wastewater utilities (80th Session)
SB 792 (80th Session)
Improves the transportation funding mechanism and grants toll road authorities the opportunity to complete and extend projects (80th Session)
SB 11 (80th Session)
HB 8- toughens penalties on child molesters (80th Session)
HB 1775 (80th Session)
HB 872 (80th Session)
80th Session
80th Session
Extended a 33% tax cut to seniors and disabled taxpayers (80th Session)
SB 825 (80th Session)
15 hours ago
Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy in American history. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ... See MoreSee Less
3 days ago
The Legislature has ended its first week of session. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Senate has decided to recess until January 26th. However, we will still be working hard in the meantime on legislation for Senate District 3. Here are five things happening around your state: bit.ly/2XFKxJQ ... See MoreSee Less
3 days ago
I'm planning to file legislation this session aimed at closing the “digital divide” and expanding broadband internet access across rural Texas. Governor Abbott has said he wants broadband development to be a priority. Read more here: bit.ly/3sddD1d. ... See MoreSee Less
Expanding internet access, closing ‘digital divide’ on the table for lawmakers this session
bit.ly
Two Texas lawmakers are proposing legislation aimed at closing the “digital divide” in the state, as the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the essential need for internet access.Would be nice. I live 8 miles outside of conroe, 1 provider 1 speed offered, and it isn't high speed.
We need options!
Elkhart,Tx is in need of better choices for internet.
Sir, would you also please be a leader in the fight to reopen Texas? Our Governor's authority needs to be checked so that he never has the power to unilaterally close Texas businesses and mandate wardrobe EVER again.
Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy in American history.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. #MLKday
#TxLege has ended its first week of session. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Senate has decided to recess until Jan. 26th. However, we will still be working hard in the meantime on legislation for SD 3.
Here are five things happening around your state:
My Five Cents
By Robert Nichols The Legislature has ended its first week of session. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Senate has decided to recess until January 26t...
bit.ly
I'm planning to file legislation this session aimed at closing the “digital divide” and expanding broadband internet access across rural Texas. Governor Abbott has said he wants broadband development to be a priority. Read more here: .
Expanding internet access, closing ‘digital divide’ on the table for lawmakers this session
Two Texas lawmakers are proposing legislation aimed at closing the “digital divide” in the state, as the coronavirus pandemic has highligh...
bit.ly
Political Ad. Paid for by Robert Nichols for Texas Senate.
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
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.