REP. PATTERSON SWORN IN FOR FOURTH TERM SERVING DENTON COUNTY

(Austin, TX) – Surrounded by family, Representative Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) took the oath of office on the floor of the Texas House, marking the beginning of his fourth term representing House District 106 and the start of a new legislative session. “Serving the people of House District 106 remains the honor of a lifetime,” said Patterson following the swearing-in.

Leading up to the legislative session, Rep. Patterson has stated his commitment to using a significant portion of the state’s $23.8 billion surplus on property tax relief for hard-working Texans. Patterson has also filed a number of Republican priority bills, including:

• HB 1294 which prohibits the practice of taxpayer-funded lobbying.
• HB 1566 which bans hostile foreign nations from owning Texas land.
• HB 1815 which prevents illegal immigrants from receiving in-state tuition at state colleges and universities, ending one of the largest magnets for illegal immigration to Texas.

A passion project for Representative Patterson has also been protecting the innocence of Texas children in school and online. Rep. Patterson has filed the following bills to address this:

• HB 183 establishes an appeal process to the elected State Board of Education for parents seeking to remove sexually explicit materials from their child’s public school.
• HB 186 forces social media platforms to verify the age of all new users and restricts minors from accessing social media platforms.
• HB 267 ends the so-called “obscenity exemption” for adults who expose children to explicit content in schools.
• HB 1456 creates an Inspector General for the Texas Education Agency to act as an intermediary for parents looking to navigate the grievance process with their local Independent School District.

Rep. Patterson has also formally requested an appropriation of $35 million to help the City of Frisco clean up the former Exide battery recycling site. This hazardous waste site was once a recycling facility for the entire state. Following their contamination of a creek and area adjacent to the property, the company filed for bankruptcy, and Frisco took over the site. Now, taxpayers are left on the hook to restore the environment. The funds sought are available through the State’s Hazardous and Solid Waste Remediation Fee Account due to the passage of Patterson’s 2021 bill on the same subject.

“There is important policy making to be done here in Austin. My staff and I are ready to serve Denton County as we always have, with conservative principles and the strongest work ethic in the House. Let’s get to work!” stated Rep. Patterson.

While Representative Patterson took his oath, a crowd of friends and supporters gathered in his new Capitol office to watch a livestream of the ceremonies. Constituents are encouraged to visit the office in the Capitol Extension, Room E2.608. He can also be reached at 512-463-0694 or Jared.Patterson@house.texas.gov.