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Robert Nichols — Republican State Senator for Texas District 3 (official headshot)

Robert Nichols Voting Record & Scorecard | Moms for America Action

TX Senator

District: 3 • Republican

2023 Alignment:

61.92%

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2023 Ratings by Policy Category

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Sen. Robert Nichols (R-TX-3) earned a 62% Moms for America Action score for 2023, showing moderate alignment with policy positions tracked by Moms for America Action. Robert Nichols voted on 101 of the 104 substantive bills scored by Moms for America Action in 2023. Highest category scores: Election Integrity (100%), Parental Rights (100%), and Medical Freedom (100%). Robert Nichols represents the 3rd District in the Texas State Senate.

Title

Lawmaker Position

HB 1Senate 20236x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through a $321.3 Billion Budget (21.3% Increase) with Countless Provisions that Further Grow the Size and Scope of Government.

Against Moms
This bill, the Fiscal Years 2024-2025 Operating Budget, represents a 21.3% increase over the prior budget, and the largest in state history. Some of the major new and increased spending initiatives within the bill include $1 billion for land acquisition for parks (3603.7% increase over the $27 million appropriated in the previous budget), an additional $100 million for the Texas Water Development Board Economically Distressed Areas Program, and $45.9 billion for business and economic development (25.8% increase).
HB 1058Senate 20233x

Expanding Cronyism and Diluting the Tax Base Through Additional Subsidies under the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program.

Against Moms
This bill provides additional state subsidies ($25 million) to builders and purchasers of housing under the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The LIHTC program subsidizes the acquisition, new construction, and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income tenants.
HB 1243Senate 20239x

Strengthening Election Integrity by Increasing the Penalty for Knowingly Engaging in Voting Fraud.

With Moms
This bill increases penalties on individuals who knowingly engage in vote fraud, such as voting more than once in an election or impersonates another person when submitting a ballot. Under the bill, the penalty is increased from a Class A misdemeanor to a Felony of the Second Degree, which can carry a 2 to 20 year prison sentence.
HB 1515Senate 20234x

Fueling Tens of Millions in Wasteful Spending by Extending the Unnecessary Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office for Another 12 Years.

Against Moms
This bill extends the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office for an additional 12 years, until September 2035. This office is focused on "marketing and promoting the state of Texas."
HB 1595Senate 20236x

Raiding the State's Rainy Day Fund to Channel over $3.4 Billion in Additional Funding to Woke Universities.

Against Moms
This bill serves as the enabling legislation for constitutional amendment HJR 3. Through this bill and the constitutional amendment, a $3.4 billion research endowment is created for Texas State University, Texas Tech University, the University of Houston and the University of North Texas. The funds for the bill will come from the state's Economic Stabilization Fund, commonly referred to as the "rainy day" fund.
HB 1696Senate 20234x

Expanding Government Power to Shutdown Competition within the Optometry Industry.

Against Moms
This bill primarily targets a business model within the optometry industry which has been deployed by Visionworks of America, which is owned by an insurance company called Vision Services Plan (VSP) Insurance Co. The bill prevents VSP from incentivizing its enrollees to utilize the optometry company it owns (Visionworks) through the offering of discounts or other value-added benefits. Other optometry companies have alleged that since VSP owns its own optometry company and can "steer patients" it is provided an unfair competitive advantage in the industry.
HB 17Senate 20237x

Strengthening Public Safety by Allowing Courts to Remove Rogue DAs which Refuse to Prosecute Crime.

With Moms
This bill allows courts to remove district attorneys for misconduct if they refuse to prosecute certain types of crime. The bill is largely in response to cases of "reform-minded" prosecutors that have refused to prosecute crime or uphold the state's abortion laws.
HB 1745Senate 20234x

Reducing Frivolous Litigation by Providing Liability Protections to Rideshare Companies.

With Moms
This bill provides rideshare companies (such as Uber and Lyft) with legal immunity from any harm or injury caused by a driver, provided the company has followed all applicable laws, unless a person can show gross negligence by "clear and convincing evidence."
HB 1750Senate 20237x

Protecting Farmers from Government Overreach by Preventing Local Governments from Imposing Additional Regulations on the Agricultural Industry.

With Moms
The bill prevents localities from imposing additional regulations on farmers and ranchers engaging in agricultural operations. Under the bill, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is directed to develop a list of "generally accepted agricultural practices" that do not pose a threat to public health, which cities also may not prohibit or restrict.
HB 1755Senate 20237x

Fueling Runaway Spending and Enriching Government-Favored Educational Entities through the Creation of the "Lone Star Workforce Future Fund".

Against Moms
This bill creates the "Lone Star Workforce of the Future Fund" which provides grants to select public junior colleges, technical institutes, and nonprofits for workforce training programs. The bill allows the grants to be utilized for a wide range of purposes including staff salaries and curriculum development, with entities eligible to receive a grant of up to $15,000 per participant.
HB 1759Senate 20234x

Strengthening Individual Liberties and Charitable Giving by Authorizing Professional Sports Team Charitable Foundations to Offer Raffle Tickets Online.

Against Moms
This bill allows professional sports team charitable foundations to sell raffle tickets at their home venue or rodeo venue through a website or mobile application, provided the person is physically located at the venue. The bill also requires the use of a third-party vendor to ensure nobody under 18 purchases tickets.
HB 1760Senate 20238x

Strengthening Self-Defense and Second Amendment Rights by Limiting School "Gun-Free Zones" to Only School-Owned Property.

With Moms
This bill amends the existing state law which prohibits firearms on school grounds or buildings when a school-sponsored activity is taking place. Under this bill, the "gun free zone" only applies to the actual premises owned by a school (not off-campus locations).
HB 1825Senate 20233x

Expanding Individual Liberties and Tax Revenue by Allowing the Sale and Consumption of Alcohol at a Fine Arts Performing Venue in Arlington.

With Moms
This bill permits the Arlington Independent School District to allow the sale and consumption of alcohol at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts facility.
HB 1859Senate 20235x

Reducing Employment Barriers and Expanding Competition Through an Alternative Licensing Pathway for HVAC Technicians.

With Moms
This bill amends the licensing requirements for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technicians by establishing an alternative pathway to become licensed. The bill recognizes completion of a career and technology education program at a public school or institution of higher education as satisfying the certification training program requirements for licensure. The bill also provides for a waiver of any renewal fee and reduction in the number of required continuing education hours for technicians who provide instruction in a career and technology education program.
HB 19Senate 20234x

Improving the State's Business Climate by Creating a Specialized Business Court to Hear Cases and Expedite Legal Proceedings.

With Moms
This bill establishes a specialized "Business Court" to hear cases involving certain business transaction and governance matters, with the judges appointed by the Governor. Judges are required to have at least 10 years of experience practicing complex civil business litigation or business transaction law, or as a judge of a court with civil jurisdiction.
HB 2026Senate 20236x

Growing Government Central Planning and Runaway Spending by Forcing Taxpayers to Pay Off the Student Loan Debt of Veterinarians in Additional Regions of the State.

Against Moms
This bill expands the Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program, which provides taxpayer-funded loan repayment to veterinary students and recent graduates who agree to work in counties with populations below 150,000. Previously, eligibility was limited to counties with populations below 100,000.
HB 2209Senate 20236x

Forcing Taxpayers to Pay up to $5 Million Annually for a New Rural College and Career Pathways Program.

Against Moms
This bill establishes the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership Program to "expand opportunities for underserved students to succeed in school and life while promoting economic development in rural areas." The bill provides up to $5 million in funding annually for rural school districts to partner on college and career pathway programs, with districts receiving outcome bonuses based on whether a student is considered economically disadvantaged.
HB 2263Senate 20238x

Hiking Natural Gas Utility Costs for Texans to Enrich Utility Companies and Create New Energy Conservation Programs.

Against Moms
This bill creates a statewide framework for natural gas utility companies to offer energy conservation programs. These programs typically involve subsidies for purchasing higher energy efficiency appliances or for retrofitting a home or business to increase energy efficiency. The programs are paid for by raising natural gas utility rates on all customers through "rate recovery" which also provides utility companies a larger guaranteed profit. Additionally, the bill allows utility companies (which heavily lobbied for the bill) to receive additional profit for designing, marketing, administering, and delivering an energy conservation program.
HB 2291Senate 20236x

Strengthening Self-Defense and Public Safety by Authorizing Retired Judges to Carry a Firearm into Courthouses and Other Restricted Places.

With Moms
This bill allows retired judges who have a handgun license to carry a firearm into restricted places, such as courthouses, schools, and polling locations.
HB 2313Senate 20236x

Expanding Government Overreach through New Annual Mandates on Ridesharing Drivers Pertaining to Human Trafficking Training.

Against Moms
This bill requires all individuals who provide ridesharing services (through companies such as Uber and Lyft) to undergo annual training on human trafficking awareness and prevention. The training materials provided by rideshare companies must meet a long list of requirements and be approved by the Attorney General.
HB 2727Senate 20233x

Growing Government Dependency by Expanding the Medicaid Welfare Program to Now Cover Home Telemonitoring Services.

Against Moms
This bill expands coverage under Medicaid (government-provided healthcare) by directing the Health and Human Services commissioner to adopt rules to cover home telemonitoring services under the state's Medicaid program. Previously, this was optional if the commissioner determined that such coverage would be "cost-effective and feasible."
HB 3137Senate 20238x

Protecting Second Amendment Rights by Preventing Localities from Imposing Liability Insurance Mandates on Firearm Owners.

With Moms
This bill prohibits local governments from enacting any ordinances which require a firearm owner to obtain liability insurance for "damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of the firearm."
HB 3297Senate 20237x

Providing Significant Regulatory Relief to Car Owners by Eliminating the State's Mandatory Annual Vehicle Safety Inspection.

With Moms
This bill eliminates the state's mandatory vehicle safety inspection effective January 1, 2025. As a result, car owners will no longer be forced to annually take their vehicle in for an inspection, however a $7.50 annual fee (the current inspection fee) will still be assessed on vehicle owners. Texas was one of only 13 states which required annual vehicle inspections.
HB 3323Senate 20234x

Growing Government Bureaucracy by Establishing the Texas Food System Security and Resiliency Planning Council.

Against Moms
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to hire an additional government employee to establish the Texas food system security and resiliency planning council. The bill also requires the establishment of a state food system security plan for purposes such as to "provide for the orderly development and management of food system security" and recommend legislation "needed or desirable to facilitate the resilience and availability of food."
HB 3447Senate 20235x

Growing Government Bureaucracy and Wasteful Spending through the Creation of the Texas Space Commission and the Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium.

Against Moms
This bill creates both the "Texas Space Commission" and the Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium to promote innovation in the space, aeronautics, and aviation industry. The new entities are expected to require the hiring of at least 10 additional state employees at an estimated cost of $3.4 million over the next two years.
HB 4218Senate 20234x

Protecting Truck Rental Companies from Frivolous Litigation for Not Retrofitting Trucks with Safety Equipment Upon their Sale.

With Moms
This bill provides that a person who sells or leases a vehicle weighing at least 6,000 lbs. is not liable for not retrofitting the vehicle with equipment, or selecting certain equipment, that was not required under federal regulations when the vehicle was manufactured or sold.
HB 4219Senate 20236x

Expanding Borrowing and Lending Opportunities by Raising the Maximum Allowable Interest Rate on Consumer Loans by Including the Federal Funds Rate in the Calculation.

With Moms
This bill raises the maximum allowable interest rate which lenders may charge on consumer loans, by now allowing the federal funds rate to be included in the calculation. While existing law currently caps consumer loan interest rates between 18% and 30%, the addition of the federal funds rate could allow lenders to charge another 5% to 6% depending on the rate of inflation.
HB 4539Senate 20234x

Worsening Cronyism by Making it Even Easier for Woke Hollywood Production Companies to become Enriched through Taxpayer Subsidies.

Against Moms
This bill makes it easier for movie production companies to receive a grant under the moving image industry incentive program by reducing the percentage of production crew, actors, and extras who must be Texas residents from 70% to 55%.
HB 4779Senate 20238x

Fueling Lawlessness and Business Closures by Making it Harder to Prosecute and Punish Cases of Organized Retail Theft.

Against Moms
This bill generally raises the bar to prosecute organized retail theft by now requiring a person to steal at least $100 of merchandise and be found to have "intent for the redistribution of that merchandise into the supply chain" to be guilty.
HB 4885Senate 20233x

Expanding Cronyism and Government Interference in the Energy Sector through a New Hydrogen Vehicle and Infrastructure Grant Program.

Against Moms
This bill creates the Texas Hydrogen Infrastructure, Vehicle, and Equipment Grant Program within the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan. The bill allocates up to $8 million for the Hydrogen program while also making a few other funding reallocations within the bill.
HB 5Senate 20236x

Expanding Cronyism and Enriching Government-Favored Corporations through a New Property Tax Exemption Scheme.

Against Moms
This bill, the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, provides select businesses which meet certain investment thresholds and job requirements with property tax exemptions. Under the bill, businesses will receive tax exemptions ranging between 50% and 75% for a period of 10 years, and a 100% tax exemption during the construction phase.
HB 5174Senate 20235x

Worsening Cronyism and Government Central Planning by Creating the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium to Enrich Certain Companies.

Against Moms
This bill creates the "Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium," to, among other purposes, "develop a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure ongoing semiconductor innovation" and expand workforce training. The bill also creates the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund to provide grants to state government entities and semiconductor manufacturing and design companies in the state "to encourage economic development."
HB 5178Senate 20234x

Increasing Taxation and the Growth of Government by Allowing Angelina County to Impose New Taxes on Hotels for Wasteful Tourism Promotion Initiatives.

Against Moms
This bill authorizes Angelina County to impose a new hotel tax, with the revenue to be used to promote tourism, conventions, and hotels.
HB 567Senate 20237x

Increasing Frivolous Litigation and Legal Liabilities by Making "Hair Texture and Style" a Protected Characteristic in Employment and Housing.

Against Moms
This bill, the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, makes a person's hair texture or hairstyle a protected characteristic if is commonly associated with a particular race. CROWN applies to public schools and institutions of higher education, employment, and housing.
HB 7Senate 202310x

Strengthening National Security and Helping to Combat Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking Through Additional Border Security Funding and Property Owner Compensation.

With Moms
This bill provides $100 million in funding to establish a new state border policing unit made up of commissioned peace officers. Funding is also directed to a number of initiatives designed to boost border security such as detention facility upgrades, temporary border barriers and compensation to certain property owners impacted.
HB 9Senate 20235x

Enriching Comcast and other Woke Corporations by Forcing Taxpayers to Provide "Broadband Equity" through a Government Central Planning Scheme.

Against Moms
This bill contains a major provision which requires taxpayers to fund "expanded access to broadband services in economically distressed communities". The new spending will unlock additional funds under the federal "Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program" and is expected to provide significant new revenue to Comcast which lobbied for the bill.
HB 900Senate 202310x

Protecting K-12 Students from Pornographic Content by Prohibiting the Sale or Distribution of Obscene Materials to Public Schools.

With Moms
This bill, the Restricting Explicit and Adult-Designated Educational Resources (READER) Act, prohibits school libraries from purchasing or possessing material that is harmful, sexually explicit, or "pervasively vulgar or educationally unsuitable." The bill also requires vendors to issue ratings for sexually explicit materials and schools must obtain parental consent before students may check out such materials from a school library.
SB 1001Senate 20235x

Growing Government to Now License and Regulate Electric Vehicle Charging Devices.

Against Moms
This bill establishes a new regulatory framework for electric vehicle chargers under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Under the bill, most electric vehicle chargers made available to the public for a fee must be registered with the state and are subject to inspections, fee disclosures, and maintenance standards. Additionally, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation is empowered to establish rules and impose fees to cover administrative costs.
SB 1017Senate 20239x

Protecting Consumer Choice by Preventing Localities from Imposing any Ordinance which Restricts or Bans Gas-Powered Engines or a Source of Energy.

With Moms
This bill prohibits local governments from enacting any ordinances which bans or restricts the sale or use of an engine based on the type of fuel used. Additionally, the bill prevents localities from banning any energy source infrastructure (such as gas stations).
SB 1039Senate 20239x

Strengthening Election Integrity through a System for Candidates and Election Judges to Inquire About Election Irregularities and Seek Review by the Secretary of State.

With Moms
This bill implements a system in which political candidates, election judges and proponents/opponents of a measure can inquire about identified election irregularities and ultimately raise the issue with the Secretary of State.
SB 1070Senate 202310x

Strengthening Election Integrity through an Additional Voter Crosscheck.

With Moms
This bill, the Alan Vera Memorial Act, contains several provisions related to election integrity. The bill expands the required cooperation of the Secretary of State with other states to identify ineligible voters. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary to contract with a private sector data system to identify voters whose addresses have changed, are registered to vote in more than one state, are deceased, or who are not eligible to vote due to a felony conviction. Finally, the Secretary is required to use the National Change of Address database to identify voters whose addresses have changed to prevent multiple registrations.
SB 1072Senate 202310x

Strengthening Integrity of the Education System by Prohibiting Discussion of Sensitive Issues Surrounding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in K-12 Classrooms.

With Moms
This bill prohibits discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in K-12 classrooms. The bill also requires school districts to adopt a policy related to school employees communicating with students outside of a human sexuality course and that directs employees to refer students to discuss such topics with a parent, counselor, or the student's teacher.
SB 1083Senate 20236x

Hiking Automobile Insurance Premiums by Imposing New Mandates which Require Usage of OEM Parts for Vehicle Repairs.

Against Moms
This bill imposes a series of new insurance mandates requiring automobile insurance policies offered in the state provide coverage for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts as opposed to less costly aftermarket parts. The bill applies to all policies covering vehicles 36 months old or newer. Additionally, the bill forbids policies from restricting the repair facility or persons performing repairs.
SB 1120Senate 20237x

Restricting Competition by Prohibiting Estheticians and Cosmetologists from Injecting Botox.

Against Moms
This bill prohibits estheticians and cosmetologists from administering injections such as Botox, which they are currently permitted to do under a physician's authority.
SB 1145Senate 20237x

Hiking Property Taxes through a New Tax Exemption Scheme which Socializes Childcare Facility Costs.

Against Moms
This bill allows localities to implement a property tax credit equal to at least 50% of the value of property used for childcare services. Only facilities in which at least 20% of the children receive subsidized childcare services are eligible. Additionally, if the property owner leases the property to a childcare facility, the rent charged must be reduced to reflect the tax credit received.
SB 1158Senate 20234x

Worsening Cronyism and Government Central Planning by Expanding Eligibility for the Major Events Reimbursement Fund to Include Additional Events.

Against Moms
This bill expands the eligibility for the "Major Events Reimbursement Fund" which reimburses local governments for costs related to hosting events such as major sporting events, on the basis that doing so will attract more events and drive economic growth and tax revenue. Under the bill, each series of World Cup soccer games is considered a single event eligible to receive funding.
SB 1195Senate 20237x

Strengthening Law and Order by Permitting the State Attorney General to Prosecute Certain Crimes if Local Prosecutors Refuse.

Against Moms
This bill allows the state's attorney general to prosecute certain crimes, including election, bribery, abuse of office, human trafficking, and abortion-related offenses, if a local prosecutor refuses to prosecute the case. Under the bill, when law enforcement agencies report probable cause to a local prosecutor for these offenses, they must also provide the information to the attorney general, who may prosecute the case if the local prosecutor does not prosecute the case within six months. The bill is largely in response to localities across the nations whose prosecutors (typically receiving financial support from George Soros) refuse to enforce or prosecute certain categories of crime.
SB 12Senate 202310x

Protecting Minors from Sexual Content by Ensuring Adult Entertainment is Not Performed on Public Property and that Minor Access is Restricted.

With Moms
This bill prohibits "sexually oriented" shows and exhibitions from being performed on public property. Additionally, the bill requires any person or location that hosts such an exhibition (including drag shows) ensure minors are not allowed access.
SB 1252Senate 20239x

Protecting Taxpayers by Requiring Clear Notification of Tax Increases on Ballot Propositions.

With Moms
This bill requires that for any ballot proposition that would increase or impose a new tax, the ballot must include the language "THIS IS A TAX INCREASE" in all capital letters.
SB 1268Senate 20237x

Hiking Consumer Property Insurance Costs by Imposing New Protectionist Regulations on Insurance Deductibles.

Against Moms
This bill imposes a series of new regulations which are largely designed to prevent property insurance companies from steering their policy holders to select a contractor favored by the insurer to make the repairs. For example, an insurer is now no longer permitted to waive or reduce a deductible if policy holders utilize a contractor favored by the insurer.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sen. Robert Nichols's voting record?

Sen. Robert Nichols (R-TX-3) earned a 62% Moms for America Action score for 2023, showing moderate alignment with policy positions tracked by Moms for America Action. Robert Nichols voted on 101 of the 104 substantive bills scored by Moms for America Action in 2023. Highest category scores: Election Integrity (100%), Parental Rights (100%), and Medical Freedom (100%). Robert Nichols represents the 3rd District in the Texas State Senate.

How aligned is Robert Nichols with policy positions tracked by Moms for America Action?

Robert Nichols earned a 62% Moms for America Action score in 2023, showing moderate alignment with policy positions tracked by Moms for America Action.

What is Robert Nichols's Moms for America Action score?

Robert Nichols has a 62% Moms for America Action score for 2023.

Where does Robert Nichols serve?

Sen. Robert Nichols (R-TX-3) represents the 3rd District in the Texas State Senate as a Republican.

What issue categories does Robert Nichols score highest and lowest on?

Robert Nichols's strongest categories on the Moms for America Action scorecard are Election Integrity (100%) and Parental Rights (100%). The lowest-scoring categories are School Choice (0%) and Economy (33%).

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