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Running forState House, District 5

Cole Hefner

RepublicanHas the job now

Overview

Joseph Cole Hefner, known as Cole Hefner, is a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Mount Pleasant, Texas.

Facts from Wikipedia.

How to reach them
Source: Open States

Bills they wrote

Bills and joint resolutions where they're the main author, since 2023. Laws first, then the ones that got furthest.

Wrote

80 bills

Became law

18 became law. Another 26 passed the House or Senate but didn't.

  • Introduced Apr 1, 2025HB 5664: Relating to the operation of Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas.
    Became law
  • Introduced Mar 13, 2025HB 4804: Relating to the revocation of a driver's license or personal identification certificate and to disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
    Became law
  • Introduced Mar 12, 2025HB 4529: Relating to the regulation of child-care facilities that maintain a certificate to operate issued by the United States Department of Defense.
    Became law
  • Introduced Mar 10, 2025HB 4264: Relating to creation of a grant program for certain peace officers who hold a master proficiency certificate.
    Became law
  • Introduced Mar 3, 2025HB 3642: Relating to the designation of portions of the state highway system as memorial highways, to certain memorial markers on certain highways, and to the installation of highway signs for certain cultural attractions.
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 5, 2025HB 2464: Relating to the authority of a municipality to regulate a home-based business.
    Became law
  • Introduced Mar 10, 2023HB 4906: Relating to the installation and use of tracking equipment and access to certain communications by certain peace officers.
    Became law
  • Introduced Mar 10, 2023HB 4888: Relating to Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for non-opioid treatments.
    Became law
  • Introduced Mar 6, 2023HB 3623: Relating to a memorandum of understanding between public or private primary or secondary schools authorizing a school marshal of one school to act as a school marshal at the other school during an event at which both schools participate.
    Became law
  • Introduced Mar 1, 2023HB 3106: Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 49 in Titus County as the Titus County WWI Veterans Memorial Highway.
    Became law
  • Introduced Mar 1, 2023HB 3108: Relating to the designation of a portion of Farm to Market Road 2348 in Titus County as the Army Staff Sergeant Clay Allen Craig Memorial Bridge.
    Became law
  • Introduced Mar 1, 2023SB 1381: Relating to the eligibility of the surviving spouse of an elderly person who qualified for a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a taxing unit of a portion of the appraised value of the deceased person's residence homestead to continue to receive an exemption for the same property from the same taxing unit in an amount equal to that of the exemption for which the deceased person qualified without applying for the exemption.
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 27, 2023HB 2914: Relating to the term of office for a director of the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District.
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 15, 2023HB 2354: Relating to the eligibility of land to continue to be appraised for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land following a transfer to a surviving spouse.
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 14, 2023HB 2306: Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of voyeurism.
    Became law
  • Introduced Jan 27, 2023HB 1760: Relating to the prosecution of the offense of possessing a weapon in certain prohibited places associated with schools or postsecondary educational institutions.
    Became law
  • Introduced Jan 12, 2023HB 1305: Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 19 as the Mildred McMillan Garrett Memorial Bridge.
    Became law
  • Introduced Jan 10, 2023HB 1243: Relating to the penalty for the offense of illegal voting; increasing a criminal penalty.
    Became law
  • Introduced Aug 15, 2025SB 15: Relating to certain files maintained by a law enforcement agency regarding certain employees of the agency.
    Passed both chambers
  • Introduced Apr 1, 2025HB 5663: Relating to the authority of the Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas, to provide brain and memory care services to residents of the hospital district through the creation and operation of brain and memory health care services districts.
    Passed both chambers
  • Introduced Feb 28, 2023HJR 132: Proposing a constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual net worth or wealth tax.
    Passed both chambers
  • Introduced Mar 13, 2025HB 41: Relating to the acquisition or use of certain foreign equipment or services by a governmental entity.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Mar 13, 2025HB 118: Relating to the establishment and powers and duties of the Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Mar 12, 2025HB 4675: Relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm by a person not lawfully present in the United States.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Mar 12, 2025HB 4662: Relating to financial assistance for rail facilities.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Mar 10, 2025HB 4257: Relating to United States citizenship requirements for the licensing and employment of peace officers.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Mar 4, 2025HB 3722: Relating to the height of a structure near certain airspace designated for use by Department of Defense contractors.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Feb 28, 2025HB 3552: Relating to criminal conduct involving the theft, damage, destruction, or unlawful possession of copper or brass, to criminal conduct committed in, around, or in relation to critical infrastructure facilities or equipment or interrupting or impairing the operation of those facilities or equipment, and to the sale of regulated materials, including copper or brass material, to metal recycling entities and training on identifying those materials; creating criminal offenses; increasing criminal penalties; providing an administrative penalty.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Feb 25, 2025HB 3317: Relating to the relationship between pharmacists or pharmacies and health benefit plan issuers or pharmacy benefit managers.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Feb 25, 2025HB 3302: Relating to the designation of a portion of Farm-to-Market Road 852 in Upshur County as the Petty Officer Billy Machen Bridge.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Feb 5, 2025HB 2436: Relating to the prosecution of the offense of deadly conduct.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Feb 5, 2025HB 2486: Relating to certain files maintained by a law enforcement agency regarding certain employees of the agency.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Mar 9, 2023HB 4306: Relating to a study by the attorney general on the feasibility of linking debit card transactions to bullion in the Texas Bullion Depository.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Mar 9, 2023HB 1600: Relating to the creation of a criminal offense for illegal entry into this state from Mexico by a person who is not a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Mar 8, 2023HB 4174: Relating to qualifications for certain individuals for veterans benefits.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Mar 6, 2023HB 3659: Relating to civil asset forfeiture proceedings, to the seizure and forfeiture of certain property, and to the reporting and disposition of proceeds and property from civil asset forfeiture.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Mar 6, 2023HB 3691: Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of certain property owned by a charitable organization that is engaged in providing housing and related facilities and services to persons who are at least 62 years of age.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Mar 6, 2023HB 3614: Relating to allowing public schools to employ or accept as volunteers chaplains.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Mar 2, 2023HB 3242: Relating to the eligibility of the surviving spouse of an elderly person who qualified for a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a taxing unit of a portion of the appraised value of the deceased person's residence homestead to continue to receive an exemption for the same property from the same taxing unit in an amount equal to that of the exemption for which the deceased person qualified without applying for the exemption.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Feb 28, 2023HB 2981: Relating to the methods by which the comptroller may provide certain notices relating to the revocation or suspension of a permit or license or the forfeiture of corporate privileges in this state.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Feb 16, 2023HB 2398: Relating to late applications for the appraisal of land for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land following the death of the owner of the land.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Feb 14, 2023HB 2295: Relating to liens on aircraft for certain charges.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Feb 13, 2023HB 2198: Relating to building height restrictions in certain municipalities.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Feb 3, 2023HB 1915: Relating to land services performed by a landman.
    Passed the House
  • Introduced Jul 14, 2025HB 36: Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying and certain other activities.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 13, 2025HB 17: Relating to the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by certain aliens or foreign entities; creating a criminal offense.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 13, 2025HB 4789: Relating to creation and maintenance of an electronic database to provide information to certain members of the United States armed forces regarding the resources and benefits provided to veterans.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 13, 2025HB 4865: Relating to identification of and sanctions against certain foreign actors.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 12, 2025HB 4483: Relating to the funding mechanism for the regulation of workers' compensation and workers' compensation insurance; authorizing surcharges.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 11, 2025HB 4381: Relating to parental rights and required notification in public education; authorizing an administrative penalty.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 11, 2025HB 4375: Relating to broadcast coverage agreements for postseason activity of students representing a University Interscholastic League member school.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 7, 2025HB 4053: Relating to the location of and the amount of certain revenue that may be used for state veterans cemeteries.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 5, 2025HB 3789: Relating to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to certain active and retired judicial officers.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 26, 2025HB 3404: Relating to certain municipal and county regulation of certain multifamily and mixed-use residential development projects and conversion of certain commercial buildings to mixed-use and multifamily residential occupancy.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 25, 2025HB 3324: Relating to the designation of Farm-to-Market Road 3535 in Camp County as the Camp County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 25, 2025HB 3327: Relating to repealing the affirmative defense to prosecution for the criminal offense of sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to a minor.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 25, 2025HB 3274: Relating to the unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, advertisement for sale, rental, or lease, or conveyance of real property, including the removal of certain unauthorized occupants of a dwelling; creating criminal offenses; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing a fee.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 25, 2025HB 3291: Relating to the public purpose designation and taxation of certain projects of Type A economic development corporations.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 25, 2025HB 3285: Relating to requiring operators of smart devices to provide information to users about the collection of personal data.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 4, 2025HB 2416: Relating to an unauthorized vote by a delegate or alternate delegate to a federal Article V convention; creating a criminal offense.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Jan 17, 2025HB 1951: Relating to certain agreements with collective bargaining organizations related to certain publicly funded public work contracts.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Jan 15, 2025HB 1849: Relating to the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by certain aliens or foreign entities; creating a criminal offense.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 10, 2023HB 4871: Relating to the electronic submission of dealer's motor vehicle inventory tax statements and escrow payments.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 10, 2023HB 4939: Relating to prohibitions on camping in a public place.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 10, 2023HB 4876: Imposing liability on those who perform or assist unlawful abortions.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 9, 2023HB 4315: Relating to the participation of the medical school at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler in the Joint Admission Medical Program.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 8, 2023HB 4130: Relating to the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of property owned by certain electric cooperatives.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 8, 2023HB 4149: Relating to restrictions on candidacy in the general election.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 8, 2023HB 4221: Relating to a veterans treatment court program operated by a justice of the peace court.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 6, 2023HB 3608: Relating to the reappraisal for ad valorem taxation purposes of real property on which a building completely destroyed by a casualty is located.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 6, 2023HB 3684: Relating to a procedure for applying for a place on a ballot as a candidate for precinct chair of a political party; providing an administrative penalty.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 3, 2023HB 3516: Relating to the delivery of certain tax refunds.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 28, 2023HB 2971: Relating to the delivery of cottage food by mail.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 28, 2023HB 3006: Relating to the treatment for ad valorem tax purposes of land and equipment used for hydroponic farming.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 24, 2023HB 2828: Relating to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to certain active and retired judicial officers.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 23, 2023HB 2760: Relating to the disclosure of certain gifts, grants, contracts, and financial interests received from a foreign source by certain state agencies, public institutions of higher education, and state contractors, and to the approval and monitoring of employment-related foreign travel and activities by certain public institution of higher education employees; providing civil and administrative penalties.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 17, 2023HB 2486: Relating to the confidentiality of certain information in a peace officer's or firefighter's personnel file.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 7, 2023HB 2010: Relating to emergency possession of certain abandoned children by designated emergency infant care providers.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Jan 30, 2023HB 1811: Relating to creating the criminal offense of tampering with an electronic monitoring device.
    Introduced
  • Introduced Jan 26, 2023HB 1700: Relating to an unauthorized vote by a delegate or alternate delegate to a federal Article V convention; creating a criminal offense.
    Introduced

Source: Open States

How they voted

Final votes on bills that passed either chamber of the Texas legislature, since 2025. Votes on amendments, committees, and procedure are left out.

Votes shown

1,792 votes on bills that passed at least one chamber.

Attendance

Didn't vote on 108 of 1,792 votes (6%). Some of these may be excused absences, approved by the House ahead of time. The vote records we use don't say which.

By topic
Academic and Career-Oriented Education7 votes
    Agriculture and Livestock21 votes
      Appropriations7 votes
        Border Security4 votes
          Business and Commerce82 votes
            Congressional Redistricting, Select1 vote
              Corrections22 votes
                County and Regional Government36 votes
                  Courts and Civil Law (Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence)76 votes
                    Courts and Civil Law (Jurisprudence)19 votes
                      Criminal Justice80 votes
                        Criminal Law (Criminal Jurisprudence)57 votes
                          Culture, Recreation and Tourism22 votes
                            Defense and Veterans' Affairs17 votes
                              Dis Prev and Women's and Children's Health16 votes
                                Disaster Preparedness and Flooding13 votes
                                  Disaster Preparedness and Flooding, Select1 vote
                                    Economic Development16 votes
                                      Education K-1654 votes
                                        Elections23 votes
                                          Energy Resources18 votes
                                            Environmental Regulation22 votes
                                              Family and Fiduciary Relationships41 votes
                                                Finance4 votes
                                                  Government Efficiency67 votes
                                                    Health and Human Services59 votes
                                                      Higher Education50 votes
                                                        Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs55 votes
                                                          Human Services55 votes
                                                            Insurance37 votes
                                                              Intergovernmental Affairs39 votes
                                                                International Relations1 vote
                                                                  Juvenile Justice11 votes
                                                                    Land and Resource Management20 votes
                                                                      Licensing and Administrative Procedures37 votes
                                                                        Local Government53 votes
                                                                          Natural Resources58 votes
                                                                            Pensions, Investments and Financial Services43 votes
                                                                              Property Tax Appraisals13 votes
                                                                                Public Education56 votes
                                                                                  Public Health73 votes
                                                                                    State Affairs144 votes
                                                                                      State-Federal Relations1 vote
                                                                                        Taxes (Ways and Means)84 votes
                                                                                          Trade, Workforce and Economic Development38 votes
                                                                                            Transportation67 votes
                                                                                              Transportation Funding8 votes
                                                                                                Veterans' Affairs9 votes
                                                                                                  Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs42 votes
                                                                                                    Workforce13 votes

                                                                                                      Source: Open States, Texas Legislature Online. Topics from the state legislature.