Governor Abbott has officially called the Texas Legislature into Special Session beginning July 21 at noon.

We have an opportunity to act decisively on priorities that affect the lives and futures of Texans.

This special session rightly begins with urgent priorities to address the recent flooding disaster—including support for impacted communities and strengthened emergency infrastructure. I’m also working to advance a key bill I authored to protect human trafficking victims. Here is just part of the agenda:

• Improving flood warning systems and preparedness infrastructure to help save lives.
• Strengthening emergency communications and response capabilities in flood-prone areas.
• Providing critical relief funding for communities impacted by the July 2025 storms—including local support for FEMA public assistance.
• Streamlining regulations to accelerate disaster response and recovery.
• Protecting human trafficking survivors from criminal liability for non-violent acts directly connected to their exploitation—modeled after my own Senate Bill 1278 from the 89th regular Legislative Session.
• Delivering additional meaningful property tax relief.
• Advancing pro-life protections that defend unborn children and safeguard mothers.

Texans are counting on us to lead with conviction and deliver meaningful progress. It’s time to get results.

The Full Special Session Call is available here.

Honored to lead the charge in creating the Texas Cyber Command—now the largest state-based cybersecurity force in America.

This session, I authored and passed legislation to stand up this purpose-built agency, headquartered in San Antonio, and partnering with UTSA, that will defend Texas against relentless cyber threats from hostile foreign actors. Backed by a historic $135 million investment, the Cyber Command will:

• Launch a state cyber threat intelligence center
• Rapidly respond to attacks on government infrastructure
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies
• Establish Texas as the national gold standard in cybersecurity

Creating this command has been one of my highest priorities, and I’m grateful to Governor Abbott for making it an emergency item and for signing it into law. Thank you to my good friend, Rep. Giovanni Capriglione for carrying this legislation in the Texas House, and all of our cybersecurity partners across Texas who helped make this vision a reality. #txlege

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Contact: Nick Eastwood
512-463-0112

Senator Tan Parker applauds signing of SB 1057 to position Texas as the national leader for business registrations and capital market formation

Austin, Texas — Texas took a decisive step forward as a global leader in capital formation with the signing of Senate Bill 1057, authored by State Senator Tan Parker and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott. This critical legislation combats proxy abuse and strengthens Texas’ reputation as the premier state for corporate registration, public listings, and business headquarters.

“SB 1057 is a bold step forward in ensuring that shareholder proposals come from serious investors who are truly invested in a company’s long-term success,” said Senator Parker. “By protecting innovation and reinforcing responsible governance, this law strengthens the business climate that makes Texas the most strategic and dynamic home for public companies. I’m grateful to the Texas Stock Exchange for its steadfast leadership in advancing reforms that align markets with growth, accountability, and opportunity.”

The signing of SB 1057 reigning in activist abuse of the shareholder proposal and voting process, caps a broader package of capital markets legislation passed by the Texas Legislature and signed by Governor Abbott which includes a constitutional amendment banning transaction taxes on exchange operators (HJR4), codifying the business judgment rule (SB 29), and clarifying the franchise tax for Texas-based national exchanges (SB 1058).

“Together, these reforms establish a modern and resilient legal and regulatory framework that supports public companies, safeguards shareholders, and drives long-term economic growth. Texas is putting Delaware and New York on notice. We are building the most competitive and reliable home for capital markets in America.” Senator Parker said.

Texas Stock Exchange founder and CEO James H Lee welcomed the signing of the bill as a powerful affirmation of Texas’ leadership and commitment to alignment with issuers and sponsors active in the U.S. public markets.

“We are deeply grateful to Senator Parker for leading the charge on SB 1057, and the rest of the capital market package” Lee said. “This legislation delivers long-overdue rebalancing of interests for public companies. The Texas Stock Exchange is committed to ensuring that our capital markets are fair, transparent, and aligned with the needs of issuers and investors alike.”

SB 1057 adds new provisions that combat proxy abuses to the Texas Business Organizations Code (TBOC), which governs the statutory requirements for forming, operating, and dissolving corporations in Texas. Under the new law, public companies incorporated in Texas can opt into the new framework if they are headquartered in Texas or listed on a national exchange with its principal place of business in Texas and approved by the Texas Securities Commissioner.

Once a company opts in, shareholders seeking to submit a proposal for inclusion in a company’s proxy materials must satisfy all the following criteria:

• Hold at least $1 million or 3% of the corporation’s voting shares on the date of submission;
• Maintain that ownership for at least six months prior to and through the date of the annual shareholder meeting; and
• Solicit the holders of at least 67% of the voting power entitled to vote on the proposal.

These requirements ensure proposals are backed by shareholders with a meaningful financial interest in the company’s success. Importantly, they also create a strong incentive for public companies to move their listings and ultimately headquarters to Texas.

For more information, please contact Senator Parker’s office at (512) 463-0112.

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Press Release PDF 

This morning, I presented Senate Bill 2176 to the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce—a critical measure to stand up a Texas Cyber Command housed within The University of Texas System. This legislation responds to the growing and relentless threats posed by hostile foreign actors, ransomware syndicates, and cybercriminals targeting our state’s most vital systems.

Members of the committee rightly pressed on the scope, structure, and impact of transferring cybersecurity responsibilities from the Department of Information Resources to a new, mission-driven command. I welcomed those questions, because they reflect the seriousness with which we must treat this issue.

We discussed how this new command will not duplicate existing assets but unify them—ensuring intrusion data flows into a single hub, with uniform threat scoring that alerts the entire state within seconds. The command will be grounded in San Antonio, the cyber capital of North America, leveraging unparalleled talent, research, and federal partnerships through UTSA’s NSA-designated programs.

Importantly, this legislation doesn’t impose burdens on local governments—it empowers them. Counties and school districts can opt into foundational services for free, with optional advanced tools available at cost. We also built in safeguards against executive overreach, with Senate confirmation of the commander, budgetary oversight, and a full Sunset review.

This is about protecting Texans—whether it’s a hospital in El Paso, a school district in Georgetown, or a county clerk logging in at 3 a.m. It’s about ensuring we have a professional, 24/7 cyber force ready to respond when—not if—the next attack comes.

SB 2176 represents a bold, necessary leap forward in defending our data, our infrastructure, and our way of life. I look forward to working with my colleagues to see this bill across the finish line. #txlege

Today marks another major step forward for Texas as Governor Abbott signed into law three critical pieces of legislation that strengthen our position as the best state for business.

I was honored to lead on Senate Bill 1058 and House Joint Resolution 4—two key measures that eliminate unnecessary tax burdens on stock exchanges and protect against future transaction or occupation taxes. These reforms will help drive investment, attract business, and ensure Texas remains a national hub for capital markets and economic freedom.

Also signed today, Senate Bill 29—backed by Nasdaq and supported across the private and public sectors—codifies the Business Judgment Rule, bringing clarity and predictability to corporate governance litigation. This legislation further solidifies Texas as a destination for business formation, investor confidence, and long-term economic growth.

With these bills now law, Texas isn’t just competing—we’re setting the standard. #txlege

I stood on the Senate floor to speak about something both heartbreaking and urgent: the abuse and exploitation of human remains through unregulated donor programs and unclaimed bodies.

Senate Bill 2721 is my response to this deeply disturbing reality. This bill demands transparency, accountability, and basic human dignity for the deceased and their families.

The stories are horrifying — forged death certificates, mutilated bodies, families unknowingly stripped of the chance to say goodbye, even being billed for the return of their loved ones’ remains.

These are not isolated cases. They reflect a national pattern that must end.

SB 2721 is more than legislation. It’s a promise that in Texas, we will honor the dead, protect families, and restore decency where it has been lost. #txlege

The stories are heartbreaking—and they are real. Across Texas and the nation, families have unknowingly seen their loved ones’ remains mishandled, mistreated, and even sold, all without consent.

Senate Bill 2721 puts an end to this disgrace. This legislation creates a strict licensing and inspection framework for body donation programs, ensuring transparency, accountability, and above all—respect for the dignity of the deceased.

Every person deserves to be honored in death. Every family deserves peace. This bill is not just policy—it’s a promise that Texas will do better. #txlege

On February 22, I had the privilege of joining Texas business and government leaders at Toyota Motor North America headquarters in Plano for the inaugural DFW Growth Summit. We came together to discuss one of the most significant technological revolutions of our time — artificial intelligence (AI) — and how it’s impacting policy and business across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

During our panel, I shared my belief that Texas must continue to be the tip of the spear when it comes to innovation. I always want our state to lead and be the finest example of innovation in America. That’s essential for us to remain economically strong and vibrant.

Right now, Texas is the eighth-largest economy in the world — and by this summer, we’re on track to surpass France and become the seventh-largest. That didn’t happen by accident. It’s because the Texas Legislature works hard to foster a business environment that encourages innovation, creates new opportunities, and keeps regulation to a minimum. That’s what makes Texas such a special place to live, work, and build the future.

We also talked about how businesses are navigating AI’s impact on data collection and consumer protection, and how important it is to strike the right balance between innovation and responsibility. As AI reshapes our industries, I’m committed to ensuring that Texas stays at the forefront — promoting growth while protecting the rights of our citizens.

The summit was a great start to an ongoing conversation about how we can lead the nation in this new era of technology, and I’m excited to continue working together to shape the future of our great state.

You can read more about this – including what my fellow panelists thought about this important issue here:
https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2025/04/11/future-ai-policy-business-dfw.html

Proud to champion priority legislation in Senate Bill 36 — creating a dedicated Homeland Security Division within DPS to strengthen Texas’ defenses. By bringing border security, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency preparedness under one roof, we will cut through bureaucracy, close coordination gaps, and maximize every taxpayer dollar. One mission, one team, protecting Texans and securing our future. Learn more about how SB 36 keeps Texas strong, safe, and resilient.