Eighty-fourth Texas Legislature
# Eighty-fourth Texas Legislature

The 84th Texas Legislature began on January 13, 2015. All members of the House and Senate were elected in the general election held on November 4, 2014.

## Party summary

### Senate

| Affiliation | Affiliation | Members |
| - | - | - |
| | Republican Party | 20 |
| | Democratic Party | 11 |
| Total | Total | 31 |

### House of Representatives

| Affiliation | Affiliation | Members |
| - | - | - |
| | Republican Party | 98 |
| | Democratic Party | 52 |
| Total | Total | 150 |

## Officers

### Senate

* Lieutenant Governor: Dan Patrick (R)
* President Pro Tempore: Juan Hinojosa (D)

### House of Representatives

* Speaker of the House: Joe Straus (R)
* Speaker Pro Tempore: Dennis Bonnen (R)

## Members

### Senate

| Senator | Party | District | Home Town | Took Office |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Kevin Eltife | Republican | 1 | Tyler | March 5, 2004 |
| Bob Hall | Republican | 2 | Greenville | January 13, 2015 |
| Robert Nichols | Republican | 3 | Jacksonville | January 9, 2007 |
| Brandon Creighton | Republican | 4 | The Woodlands | August 26, 2014 |
| Charles Schwertner | Republican | 5 | Georgetown | January 8, 2013 |
| Sylvia Garcia | Democratic | 6 | Houston | March 11, 2013 |
| Paul Bettencourt | Republican | 7 | Houston | January 13, 2015 |
| Van Taylor | Republican | 8 | McKinney | January 13, 2015 |
| Kelly Hancock | Republican | 9 | Fort Worth | January 8, 2013 |
| Konni Burton | Republican | 10 | Fort Worth | January 13, 2015 |
| Larry Taylor | Republican | 11 | Friendswood | January 8, 2013 |
| Jane Nelson | Republican | 12 | Lewisville | January 14, 2003 |
| Rodney Ellis | Democratic | 13 | Houston | February 27, 1990 |
| Kirk Watson | Democratic | 14 | Austin | January 9, 2007 |
| John Whitmire | Democratic | 15 | Houston | January 11, 1983 |
| Don Huffines | Republican | 16 | Dallas | January 13, 2015 |
| Joan Huffman | Republican | 17 | Southside Place | December 29, 2008 |
| Lois Kolkhorst | Republican | 18 | Katy | December 22, 2014 |
| Carlos I. Uresti | Democratic | 19 | San Antonio | November 27, 2006 |
| Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa | Democratic | 20 | Mission | January 14, 2003 |
| Judith Zaffirini | Democratic | 21 | Laredo | January 13, 1987 |
| Brian Birdwell | Republican | 22 | Granbury | July 2, 2010 |
| Royce West | Democratic | 23 | Dallas | January 12, 1993 |
| Troy Fraser | Republican | 24 | Horseshoe Bay | January 14, 1997 |
| Donna Campbell | Republican | 25 | New Braunfels | January 8, 2013 |
| Jose Menendez | Democratic | 26 | San Antonio | March 4, 2015 |
| Eddie Lucio, Jr. | Democratic | 27 | Brownsville | January 8, 1991 |
| Charles Perry | Republican | 28 | Lubbock | September 30, 2014 |
| José R. Rodríguez | Democratic | 29 | El Paso | January 11, 2011 |
| Craig Estes | Republican | 30 | Wichita Falls | December 10, 2001 |
| Kel Seliger | Republican | 31 | Amarillo | December 10, 2001 |

-Jose Menendez was sworn in on March 4, 2015 after a special election runoff on February 17, 2015 to serve the remaining term of Leticia Van de Putte. A special election was held March 31, 2015 after Jose Menendez was sworn in.

### House of Representatives

| House Rep | Party | District | Home Town | Took Office |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Gary VanDeaver | Republican | 1 | New Boston | January 13, 2015 |
| Dan Flynn | Republican | 2 | Van | January 14, 2003 |
| Cecil Bell Jr. | Republican | 3 | Magnolia | January 8, 2013 |
| Stuart Spitzer | Republican | 4 | Kaufman | January 13, 2015 |
| Bryan Hughes | Republican | 5 | Mineola | January 10, 2003 |
| Matt Schaefer | Republican | 6 | Tyler | January 8, 2013 |
| David Simposon | Republican | 7 | Longview | January 11, 2011 |
| Byron Cook | Republican | 8 | Corsicana | January 14, 2003 |
| Chris Paddie | Republican | 9 | Marshall | January 8, 2013 |
| John Wray | Republican | 10 | Waxahachie | January 13, 2015 |
| Travis Clardy | Republican | 11 | Nacgdoches | January 8, 2013 |
| Kyle Kacal | Republican | 12 | College Station | January 8, 2013 |
| Leighton Schubert | Republican | 13 | Caldwell | March 3, 2015 |
| John N. Raney | Republican | 14 | College Station | December 23, 2011 |
| Mark Keough | Republican | 15 | The Woodlands | January 13, 2015 |
| Will Metcalf | Republican | 16 | Conroe | January 13, 2015 |
| Tim Kleinschmidt | Republican | 17 | Lexington | January 13, 2009 |
| John Cyrier | Republican | 17 | Lockhart | March 3, 2015 |
| John Otto | Republican | 18 | Dayton | January 11, 2005 |
| James White | Republican | 19 | Hillister | January 8, 2013 |
| Marsha Farney | Republican | 20 | Georgetown | January 8, 2013 |
| Dade Phelan | Republican | 21 | Beaumont | January 13, 2015 |
| Joe Deshotel | Democratic | 22 | Beaumont | January 12, 1999 |
| Wayne Faircloth | Republican | 23 | Galveston | January 13, 2015 |
| Greg Bonnen | Republican | 24 | Friendswood | January 8, 2013 |
| Dennis Bonnen | Republican | 25 | Angleton | January 14, 1997 |
| Rick Miller | Republican | 26 | Sugar Land | January 8, 2013 |
| Ron Reynolds | Democratic | 27 | Missouri City | January 11, 2011 |
| John Zerwas | Republican | 28 | Richmond | January 9, 2007 |
| Ed Thompson | Republican | 29 | Pearland | January 8, 2013 |
| Geanie Morrison | Republican | 30 | Victoria | January 12, 1999 |
| Ryan Guillen | Democratic | 31 | Rio Grande City | January 14, 2003 |
| Todd Ames Hunter | Republican | 32 | Corpus Christi | January 13, 2009 |
| Scott Turner | Republican | 33 | Frisco | January 8, 2013 |
| Abel Herrero | Democratic | 34 | Robstown | January 8, 2013 |
| Oscar Longoria | Democratic | 35 | Mission | January 8, 2013 |
| Sergio Muñoz | Democratic | 36 | Mission | January 11, 2011 |
| Rene Oliveira | Democratic | 37 | Brownsville | April 28, 1981 |
| Eddie Lucio III | Democratic | 38 | Brownsville | January 9, 2007 |
| Armando Martinez | Democratic | 39 | Weslaco | January 11, 2005 |
| Terry Canales | Democratic | 40 | Edinburg | January 8, 2013 |
| Robert Guerra | Democratic | 41 | Mission | September 25, 2012 |
| Richard Raymond | Democratic | 42 | Laredo | January 24, 2001 |
| José Manuel Lozano | Republican | 43 | Kingsville | January 11, 2011 |
| John Kuempel | Republican | 44 | Seguin | December 30, 2010 |
| Jason Isaac | Republican | 45 | Austin | January 11, 2011 |
| Dawnna Dukes | Democratic | 46 | Austin | January 10, 1995 |
| Paul D. Workman | Republican | 47 | Spicewood | January 11, 2011 |
| Donna Howard | Democratic | 48 | Austin | March 2, 2006 |
| Elliott Naishtat | Democratic | 49 | Austin | January 8, 1991 |
| Celia Israel | Democratic | 50 | Texas | February 12, 2014 |
| Eddie Rodriguez | Democratic | 51 | Texas | January 14, 2003 |
| Larry Gonzales | Republican | 52 | Round Rock | January 11, 2011 |
| Andrew Murr | Republican | 53 | Junction | January 13, 2015 |
| Jimmie Don Aycock | Republican | 54 | Killeen | January 9, 2007 |
| Molly White | Republican | 55 | Belton | January 13, 2015 |
| Charles Anderson | Republican | 56 | Lorena | January 11, 2005 |
| Trent Ashby | Republican | 57 | Lufkin | January 8, 2013 |
| DeWayne Burns | Republican | 58 | Celburne | January 13, 2015 |
| Jesse David Sheffield II | Republican | 59 | Gatesville | January 8, 2013 |
| Jim Keffer | Republican | 60 | Eastland | January 14, 1997 |
| Phil King | Republican | 61 | Weatherford | January 12, 1999 |
| Larry Phillips | Republican | 62 | Sherman | January 14, 2003 |
| Tan Parker | Republican | 63 | Flower Mound | January 9, 2007 |
| Myra Crownover | Republican | 64 | Lake Dallas | May 10, 2000 |
| Ron Simmons | Republican | 65 | Carrollton | January 8, 2013 |
| Matt Shaheen | Republican | 66 | Plano | January 13, 2015 |
| Jeff Leach | Republican | 67 | Allen | January 8, 2013 |
| Drew Springer Jr. | Republican | 68 | Muenster | January 8, 2013 |
| James Frank | Republican | 69 | Wichita Falls | January 8, 2013 |
| Scott Sanford | Republican | 70 | McKinney | January 8, 2013 |
| Susan King | Republican | 71 | Abilene | January 9, 2007 |
| Drew Darby | Republican | 72 | San Angelo | January 9, 2007 |
| Doug Miller | Republican | 73 | New Braunfels | January 13, 2009 |
| Poncho Nevárez | Democratic | 74 | Eagle Pass | January 8, 2013 |
| Mary González | Democratic | 75 | Clint | January 8, 2013 |
| Cesar Blanco | Democratic | 76 | El Paso | January 13, 2015 |
| Marisa Marquez | Democratic | 77 | El Paso | January 13, 2009 |
| Joe Moody | Democratic | 78 | El Paso | January 8, 2013 |
| Joe Pickett | Democratic | 79 | El Paso | January 3, 1995 |
| Tracy King | Democratic | 80 | Batesville | January 11, 2005 |
| Brooks Landgraf | Republican | 81 | Odessa | January 13, 2015 |
| Tom Craddick | Republican | 82 | Midland | January 12, 1993 |
| Dustin Burrows | Republican | 83 | Lubbock | January 13, 2015 |
| John Frullo | Republican | 84 | Lubbock | November 22, 2010 |
| Phil Stephenson | Republican | 85 | Wharton | January 8, 2013 |
| John T. Smithee | Republican | 86 | Amarillo | January 8, 1985 |
| Four Price | Republican | 87 | Amarillo | January 11, 2011 |
| Ken King | Republican | 88 | Canadian | January 8, 2013 |
| Jodie Anne Laubenberg | Republican | 89 | Parker | January 14, 2003 |
| Ramon Romero Jr. | Democratic | 90 | Fort Worth | January 13, 2015 |
| Stephanie Klick | Republican | 91 | Fort Worth | January 8, 2013 |
| Jonathan Stickland | Republican | 92 | Beford | January 8, 2013 |
| Matt Krause | Republican | 93 | Haslet | January 8, 2013 |
| Tony Tinderholt | Republican | 94 | Arlington | January 13, 2015 |
| Nicole Collier | Democratic | 95 | Fort Worth | January 8, 2013 |
| Bill Zedler | Republican | 96 | Arlington | January 11, 2011 |
| Craig Goldman | Republican | 97 | Fort Worth | January 8, 2013 |
| Giovanni Capriglione | Republican | 98 | Southlake | January 8, 2013 |
| Charlie Geren | Republican | 99 | Fort Worth | January 14, 2003 |
| Eric Johnson | Democratic | 100 | Dallas | April 20, 2010 |
| Chris Turner | Democratic | 101 | Grand Prairie | January 8, 2013 |
| Linda Koop | Republican | 102 | Dallas | January 13, 2015 |
| Rafael Anchia | Democratic | 103 | Dallas | January 11, 2005 |
| Roberto Alonzo | Democratic | 104 | Dallas | January 12, 1993 |
| Rodney Anderson | Republican | 105 | Grand Prairie | January 11, 2011 |
| Pat Fallon | Republican | 106 | Frisco | January 8, 2013 |
| Kenneth Sheets | Republican | 107 | Dallas | January 11, 2011 |
| Morgan Meyer | Republican | 108 | University Park | January 13, 2015 |
| Helen Giddings | Democratic | 109 | Dallas | January 12, 1993 |
| Toni Rose | Democratic | 110 | Dallas | January 8, 2013 |
| Yvonne Davis | Democratic | 111 | Dallas | January 12, 1993 |
| Angie Chen Button | Republican | 112 | Garland | January 13, 2009 |
| Cindy Burkett | Republican | 113 | Sunnyvale | January 8, 2013 |
| Jason Villalba | Republican | 114 | Richardson | January 8, 2013 |
| Matt Rinaldi | Republican | 115 | Irving | January 13, 2015 |
| Trey Martinez Fischer | Democratic | 116 | San Antonio | January 9, 2001 |
| Rick Galindo | Republican | 117 | San Antonio | January 13, 2015 |
| Joe Farias | Democratic | 118 | San Antonio | January 9, 2007 |
| John Lujuan | Republican | 118 | San Antonio | February 9, 2016 |
| Roland Gutierrez | Democratic | 119 | San Antonio | May 14, 2008 |
| Ruth McClendon | Democratic | 120 | San Antonio | November 12, 1996 |
| Laura Thompson | Independent | 120 | San Antonio | August 16, 2016 |
| Joe Straus | Republican | 121 | San Antonio | February 10, 2005 |
| Lyle Larson | Republican | 122 | San Antonio | January 11, 2011 |
| Diego Bernal | Democratic | 123 | San Antonio | March 3, 2015 |
| Jose Menendez | Democratic | 124 | San Antonio | January 9, 2001 |
| Ina Minjarez | Democratic | 124 | San Antonio | April 30, 2015 |
| Justin Rodriguez | Democratic | 125 | San Antonio | January 8, 2013 |
| Patricia Harless | Republican | 126 | Spring | January 9, 2007 |
| Dan Huberty | Republican | 127 | Humble | January 11, 2011 |
| Wayne Smith | Republican | 128 | Baytown | January 14, 2003 |
| Dennis Paul | Republican | 129 | Houston | January 13, 2015 |
| Allen Fletcher | Republican | 130 | Houston | January 13, 2009 |
| Alma Allen | Democratic | 131 | Houston | January 11, 2005 |
| Mike Schofield | Republican | 132 | Katy | January 13, 2015 |
| Jim Murphy | Republican | 133 | Houston | January 11, 2011 |
| Sarah Davis | Republican | 134 | Houston | January 11, 2011 |
| Gary Elkins | Republican | 135 | Jersey Village | January 10, 1995 |
| Tony Dale | Republican | 136 | Cedar Park | January 8, 2013 |
| Gene Wu | Democratic | 137 | Houston | January 8, 2013 |
| Dwayne Bohac | Republican | 138 | Houston | January 14, 2003 |
| Sylvester Turner | Democratic | 139 | Houston | January 10, 1989 |
| Jarvis Johnson | Democratic | 139 | Houston | May 19, 2016 |
| Armando Walle | Democratic | 140 | Houston | January 13, 2009 |
| Senfronia Thompson | Democratic | 141 | Houston | January 11, 1983 |
| Harold Dutton Jr. | Democratic | 142 | Houston | January 8, 1985 |
| Ana Hernandez | Democratic | 143 | Pasadena | December 20, 2005 |
| Gilbert Peña | Republican | 144 | Pasadena | January 13, 2015 |
| Carol Alvarado | Democratic | 145 | East End | January 13, 2009 |
| Borris Miles | Democratic | 146 | Houston | January 9, 2007 |
| Garnet Coleman | Democratic | 147 | Houston | October 15, 1991 |
| Jessica Farrar | Democratic | 148 | Houston | January 10, 1995 |
| Hubert Vo | Democratic | 149 | Houston | January 11, 2005 |
| Debbie Riddle | Republican | 150 | Houston | April 10, 2002 |

- On February 16, 2015 John Lujan is sworn in for the 118th House district after winning the special election and the special election runoff for Joe Faris's seat.

- Leighton Schubert was sworn in on March 3, 2015 in the 13th House district after a special election was held on February 17, 2015 to finish Lois Kolkhorst's term when she was sworn in for Texas's 18th Senate district.

- John Cyrier was sworn in on March 3, 2015 in the 17th House district after a special runoff election was held on February 17, 2015 to fill the vacancy of Tim Kleinschmidt when he resigned a day after he was sworn in.

- On April 30, 2015 Ina Minjarez was sworn into the 124th House district to succeed Jose Menendez after he got elected to Texas's 26th Senate district

- On August 10, 2015 Joe Faris Resigned from the 118th House district.

-Sylvester Turner resigned from the 139th House district on January 1, 2016 to be sworn in as Mayor for Houston after winning the 2015 election.

- On January 31, 2016 Ruth McClendon resigned from the 120th House district.

- On May 19, 2016 Jarvis Johnson, is sworn in to the 139th House district.

- On August 16, 2016 Laura Thompson sworn in after Ruth McLendon resigned from her seat by winning the special election runoff and the special election ordered by the governor.

## Notable legislation

On June 11, 2015, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the "Pastor Protection Act" which allows pastors to refuse to marry couples if they feel doing so violates their beliefs. On June 13, 2015, Abbott signed a campus carry bill (SB 11) and an open carry bill (HB 910) into law.

