Our State Senator Has Interesting Start to Legislative Session

State Senator Lois Kolkhorst began her fifth legislative session representing Fayette County and the rest of District 18 when she took the oath of office at the Capitol on Jan. 10.

Kolkhorst issued the following statement following her swearing-in: “Texas is a growing, thriving state because we are a beacon of economic strength and opportunity. This means we must manage the explosive growth seen in our state in a way that still respects the core Texan values that have made us so successful. We will meet the needs of Texans by focusing on an efficient state government that seeks to lower taxes, support parents and schools, as well as fight crime and secure our border.”

It is her third term in the Senate. Prior to that, she represented Fayette County from 2001-2014 in the State House. Kolkhorst has become a rising leader in the Texas Senate.

Kolkhorst made headlines last week with a bill she filed that would prohibit citizens, governments and other entities in China, Iran, North Korea and Russia from purchasing property in Texas. Last week Governor Greg Abbott promised to sign the bill into law if it makes it to his desk.

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who leads the State Senate, reappointed Kolkhorst to serve as chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, a post she has held since 2019. The Committee oversees several state agencies and boards including the Health and Human Services Commission and Department of Family and Protective Services. The Committee is also the first stop for any Senate legislation related to public health and family policy.

In addition, Patrick appointed Kolkhorst to serve as a member of the following Senate committees: Business & Commerce, Finance, Natural Resources and Economic Development and Water, Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Texas Senators normally serve staggered four year terms, with half of the body up for election every two years. That creates a problem in the Texas Senate after redistricting, which takes place every 10 years following the Census. The last round of redistricting resulted in newly-configured districts for the 2022 elections, so all State Senate seats were up for election at one time. The State Constitution solves this problem with a unique procedure to determine which senators serve a two-year term and which senators get a full four-year term.

On Wednesday, Jan. 11, the State Senators drew lots to determine their term lengths. Kolkhorst had some good luck, because she drew one of the lots for a four-year term.