State Sen. Paul Bettencourt

Republican
Current Rating

63

Senate District 7 - Houston
First elected 2014

Previous Ratings on the Fiscal Index

  • Career: B
  • 2021: C-
  • 2019: B-
  • 2017: A-
  • 2015: B

About State Sen. Paul Bettencourt

For ten years, Paul Bettencourt was Harris County’s elected Tax Assessor-Collector and a knowledgeable presence as a conservative activist and radio and television personality. At the Tax Office, Paul introduced best business practices and developed a Customer Service driven organization, introducing the first major tax office Web Site that included the first Online Automotive Registration and Property Tax Payment System in Texas.

Paul Bettencourt received “Taxpayer Advocate of the Year” award from Americans for Prosperity, the “Hero of Faith” award by the Houston Area Pastors Council, and the “Pioneer” award from the Harris County Republican Party. Paul has also held the offices of Republican Party of Texas Treasurer, Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Harris County Republican Party, National Republican Party Delegate from Texas in 2000, 2004, and 2008, and Presidential Elector in the 2012 Presidential Election.

Committee Assignments

Offices

Capitol
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
p: (512) 463-0107
District
District Director: Elizabeth Stinsman
11451 Katy Freeway, Suite 209
Houston, TX 77079
p: (713) 464-0282

Senate District District 7

State Sen. Paul Bettencourt's Record

  • Pro-Taxpayer
  • Anti-Taxpayer
  • Absent
  • Speaker
  • Absent, Excused
  • Present, not voting
  • Not Applicable
Bill Vote

SR 39, Section 5: Eliminating the two-thirds rule and replacing it with a three-fifths majority

Senate Journal Page: 54
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SB 293: Expanding events eligible for the Major Events Trust Fund

Senate Journal Page: 517
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SB 757: Repealing taxes on the production of crude petroleum and sulphur

Senate Journal Page: 562
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SB 1: Providing property tax relief

Senate Journal Page: 582
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SJR 1: Providing property tax relief

Senate Journal Page: 583
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SB 752: Repealing the inheritance tax and tax on combative sports events

Senate Journal Page: 585
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SB 7, Motion to Table Amendment 2 by Fraser: gutting Amendment 1 by Huffines that would repeal the franchise tax

Senate Journal Page: 587
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SB 7: Decreasing the rates of the franchise tax

Senate Journal Page: 588
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SB 8: Exempting more small businesses from paying the franchise tax

Senate Journal Page: 590
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SB 20: Reforms to state agency contracting practices

Senate Journal Page: 648
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SB 759: Repeal of certain state taxes

Senate Journal Page: 684
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SB 474: Protecting homeowners from diminished compensation as a result of eminent domain proceedings

Senate Journal Page: 735
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SB 9: Strengthening the state spending limit

Senate Journal Page: 751
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SCR 1: Claiming sovereignty under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Senate Journal Page: 771
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SB 931: Repealing goal of renewable energy zones

Senate Journal Page: 798
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SB 686: Creating a Math and Science Scholars loan repayment program

Senate Journal Page: 801
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SB 601: Making the Elite Rodeo World Association eligible for Major Events Trust Fund money

Senate Journal Page: 803
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SB 1237: Providing internet broadcasts of open meetings held by metropolitan planning organizations

Senate Journal Page: 810
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SB 14: Empowering parents to reform low-performing schools

Senate Journal Page: 924
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SB 4: Providing tax credits for contributions to certain educational assistance organizations

Senate Journal Page: 981
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SB 239: Creating a student loan repayment assistance program for mental health professionals

Senate Journal Page: 1107
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SJR 12: Eliminating gas tax diversions in the state constitution

Senate Journal Page: 1137
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SB 139: Enabling legislation to eliminate state gas tax diversions

Senate Journal Page: 1138
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SB 837: Expanding the use of crony capitalist hotel-only public improvement districts

Senate Journal Page: 1141
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SB 19: comprehensive ethics reform for legislators

Senate Journal Page: 1155
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SB 455: Creating a special three-judge panel to hear school finance and redistricting lawsuits

Senate Journal Page: 1292
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SB 723: Mandating participation in certain employment programs to receive TANF handouts

Senate Journal Page: 1325
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SB 62: Accounting for costs incurred by the state as a result of illegal immigration

Senate Journal Page: 1376
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SB 1968: Prohibiting state and local governments from automatically collecting union dues from employees

Senate Journal Page: 1406
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SB 722: Disqualification of unemployment benefits for a failed drug test

Senate Journal Page: 1407
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HB 4: Creating "High Quality" Pre-K in public schools

Senate Journal Page: 1419
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SB 1178: Interim study on an education savings account program

Senate Journal Page: 1495
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SB 309: Providing public access to boundary, financial, and tax rate information of certain political subdivisions

Senate Journal Page: 1514
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SB 310: Restricting the use of certificates of obligation

Senate Journal Page: 1516
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SB 1041: Providing more transparency on ballot regarding propositions to issue bonds or impose/change a tax

Senate Journal Page: 1596
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HB 100: Authorizing $3.1 billion of debt in the form of tuition revenue bonds

Senate Journal Page: 1698
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HB 2717: Deregulating the hair-braiding industry

Senate Journal Page: 1754
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SB 1639: Greater protections for property owners during municipal annexation process

Senate Journal Page: 1841
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HB 700: Eliminating the B-On-time student loan program

Senate Journal Page: 1875
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HB 32: Decreasing the rates of the franchise tax

Senate Journal Page: 2014
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HB 1114: Requiring certain local PACs to file with the Texas Ethics Commission

Senate Journal Page: 2058
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HB 2712: Giving tax breaks to data center projects

Senate Journal Page: 2116
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HB 1690: Moving the Public Integrity Unit to the Texas Rangers division of DPS

Senate Journal Page: 2134
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HB 1295: Requiring disclosure of interested parties by persons contracting with governmental entities and state agencies

Senate Journal Page: 2144
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HB 283: Requiring certain governmental bodies post video recordings of open meetings online

Senate Journal Page: 2154
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HB 408: Ending "double-dipping" of retirement benefits by state elected offiicals

Senate Journal Page: 2278
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HB 2350: Increasing amount of tax dollars used to guarantee loans made by the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority

Senate Journal Page: 2410
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HB 991: Displaying the state and federal gas tax rates on gas pumps

Senate Journal Page: 2423
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HB 23: Requiring disclosure of interested parties when contracting with governmental entities

Senate Journal Page: 2614
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