On Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stocked each of the 14 committees of the Texas Senate with various members and leaders. Here are the key players in each of the 14 committees: Administration
  • Chairwoman: Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham
  • Vice Chairwoman: Sen. Konni Burton, R-Colleyville
Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs
  • Chairman: Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock
  • Vice Chairman: Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso
Business and Commerce
  • Chairman: Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills
  • Vice Chairman: Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe
Criminal Justice
  • Chairman: Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston
  • Vice Chairwoman: Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston
Education
  • Chairman: Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood
  • Vice Chairman: Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville
Finance
  • Chairwoman: Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound
  • Vice Chairman: Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen
Health and Human Services
  • Chairman: Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown
  • Vice Chairman: Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio
Higher Education
  • Chairman: Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo
  • Vice Chairman: Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas
Intergovernmental Relations
  • Chairman: Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville
  • Vice Chairman: Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston
Natural Resources and Economic Development
  • Chairman: Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls
  • Vice Chairwoman: Sen. Judith Zaffrini, D-Laredo
Nominations
  • Chairman: Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury
  • Vice Chair: Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin
State Affairs
  • Chairwoman: Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston
  • Vice Chairman: Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola
Transportation
  • Chairman: Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville
  • Vice Chairman: Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood
Veteran Affairs and Border Security
  • Chairwoman: Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels
  • Vice Chairman: Sen. Don Huffines, R-Dallas
Things to note:
  • Patrick removed members Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston; Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso; and Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, from the Senate Education Committee. He replaced them with Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola; Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood; and Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio.
  • Sen. Hughes received a vice chairman position as a freshman senator.
  • Sen. Kolkhorst is receiving her first chairmanship of a committee; she was named chairwoman of the Senate Administration Committee.
  • Several senators have neither a vice chairperson nor chairperson position. These senators include: Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston; Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano; Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston; Sen. Dawn Buckingham, R-Austin; and Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio.
  • Only one bill has been referred to committee. Sen. Nelson's Senate Bill 1 will face committee hearings on Monday.