Senator Paul Bettencourt, appointed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick as Chairman to the Senate Committee on Local Government, is widely known across Texas for his 25 years of leadership in fiscal responsibility and property tax reform. He began his career in public service from 1998–2008 as the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector, where for ten years, he applied his “Smart Government” philosophy to deliver measurable, customer service-driven results for taxpayers. Under his leadership, the Tax Office launched Texas’s first major online property tax payment system and became the first county office to offer online vehicle registration. His motto, “Get on-line, not in-line,” set a new standard for service in Texas local governments.

Elected to the Texas Senate in 2014, Senator Bettencourt represents District 7, encompassing parts of Montgomery County, Western Harris County, West Houston, and the Villages. Since taking office, he has been recognized as one of the most effective and results-oriented legislators in the Texas Capitol. Early in his Senate career, he was named “Most Valuable Freshman” and “Senate MVP” by Capitol Inside, “Bull of the Brazos” by Texas Monthly, and “Taxpayer Advocate of the Year” by Americans for Prosperity (AFP).

In 2019, Senator Bettencourt authored and passed Senate Bill 2, the Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act, the first major property tax reform in 38 years for cities and counties and the result of more than two decades of consistent advocacy for Texas taxpayers. In the same year, he co-sponsored HB 3, which reformed the state’s property tax system and brought tax relief to Texas taxpayers on their ISD property tax bills.

Building on that success, Senator Bettencourt led efforts that delivered the largest property tax cut in American history—a record $22.7 billion in 2023. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) named him its 2023 Legislator of the Year for his leadership on this nationally historic accomplishment. He followed that success with another $10 billion in property tax relief in 2025 through Senate Bills 4 and 23 and House Bill 9. The legislation proposes to raise the school homestead exemptions to $140,000 for all Texas homeowners, up to $200,000 for seniors/disabled Texans, and expand business personal property exemptions statewide.

Beyond property tax reform, Senator Bettencourt’ compassionate conservative theme advances policies that expand opportunity across key sectors of the Texas economy while safeguarding communities and vulnerable populations. He sponsored and championed HB 21 “Right-to-Try” and other adult stem-cell therapy laws for patients facing terminal and rare diseases—legislation later adopted as model policy by ALEC. MD Anderson Cancer Center recognized him for his contributions and success in advancing early detection, treatments, and cures for ovarian cancer and compassionate use laws. He also expanded educational dual-credit opportunities and strengthened ISD and private school partnerships. His charter school work has been recognized nationally for advancing educational choice and equity, earning him the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Freedom Coalition for Charter Schools.

A prolific legislator, in the 89th Legislature alone he authored or sponsored 122 measures signed into law addressing critical issues such as housing affordability (SB 38 stopping the statewide squatting crisis), property tax reform, expanded access to special education (SB 568), and virtual learning (SB 569). He sponsored HB 9 eliminating the STAAR test, SB 1365 restoring the A–F accountability system, SB 7 preventing educator misconduct, and many measures improving local government efficiency. He extended Texas business research and development tax credits and advanced public safety laws to make Harris County communities safer. He has passed numerous voter integrity bills, including SB 1750 and SB 1933, returning election administration in Harris County back to elected County Officials.

As a result, numerous organizations recognized him with multiple Legislative Leadership Awards, including the Texas Chemistry Council in 2023 and 2025 as Legislative Champion of the Year for his innovative support of industries that represent 20% of Texas’ GDP; NFIB’s Guardian of Small Business honor for reducing the tax burden on local job creators; and the Texas Apartment Association’s Legislative Champion Award for his work on housing policy and affordability in consecutive legislative sessions.

Senator Bettencourt serves on the Senate Finance, Education, State Affairs, Transportation, and K-16 Education Committees. Following the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, he was appointed by Lt. Gov. Patrick to chair the newly formed Senate Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education, established to protect free expression and promote respectful dialogue across Texas campuses. He was also appointed to the joint Senate-House Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding, where he authored SB 3—the creation of a statewide flood warning siren system—in response to the devastating July 4, 2025 floods. He previously chaired the Senate Property Tax Committee last decade, served on Redistricting and Criminal Justice Committees, and was the longest-serving Chair of the Senate Republican Caucus, serving five years from 2016 to 2021.

A graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Distribution, Senator Bettencourt is President and CEO of Bettencourt Tax Advisors, LLC, a Houston-based firm employing more than forty professionals. His first job out of TAMU was representing and then working for Unimation, Inc., the first U.S. robotics manufacturer. He is also a 20-year radio and television personality in Houston.

Senator Bettencourt and his wife, Susan, are active members of Saint John Vianney Catholic Church, where he serves as a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus.