Texas Covered Event

Harnessing Innovation and Technology During and After COVID-19

September 24, 2020 9:30 AM

An Update from the Texas Legislature on Virtual Care and the Upcoming Session

Biography

State Representative Four Price, a fourth generation Texan from Amarillo, has the privilege of advocating for constituents residing in five Texas Panhandle counties – Carson, Hutchinson, Moore, Potter and Sherman. In 2018, Price was re-elected to a fifth term with no opposition in the general election and after winning a contested primary by garnering more than 78% of the district-wide vote and with over 80% voter support in his home county.

In January 2019, Representative Price was appointed to chair the House Calendars Committee, which is responsible for determining which items of proposed legislation are scheduled for debate in the Texas House Chamber. Price was also selected to continue to serve as a member of the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Public Health Committee. Additionally, Chairman Price was selected to serve on the House Redistricting Committee. He continues to co-chair the Health and Human Services Transition Legislative Oversight Committee. He was recently appointed to serve on the House Select Committee on Mass Violence Prevention and Community Safety.

Representative Price prior committee service includes:
• Chairman of the House Public Health Committee 2017-2018
• Chairman of the House Select Committee on Opioids & Substance Abuse 2017-2018
• Chairman of the House Select Committee on Mental Health 2015-2016
• Vice Chairman of the Sunset Advisory Commission 2014-2015; member 2012-2013
• Member, House Appropriations Committee 2013-2014 and 2015-2016
• Chairman, Article II Subcommittee of Appropriations 2015-2016
• Member, House Calendars Committee 2015-2016
• Member, House Natural Resources Committee 2011-2012 and 2017-2018
• Member, House Human Services Committee 2015-2016
• Member, Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee 2015-2016  
• Member, Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee 2011-2012.  

In his leadership roles, Price has championed the passage of numerous legislative items as both an author and sponsor. Some of the legislation authored and passed into law include:
• HB 871 (86R) enhancing financial viability of rural hospitals.
• HB 1063 and HB 3345 (86R) enhancing the delivery of healthcare services through the use of telemedicine technology.  
• HB 2454 (86R) addressing the overprescribing of opioids.  
• HB 1960 (86R) providing for an analysis of rural broadband opportunities.  
• HB 1074 (86R) eliminating age discrimination in employer training programs.
• HB 18 and HB 19 (86R) providing greater mental health education and resources in public schools.
• HB 1079 (86R) requiring Texas Department of Transportation to perform a comprehensive feasibility study regarding the potential expansion of Interstate 27.
• HB 406 (86R) increasing opportunities to register as an organ donor.
• HB 1136 (86R) enhancing tourism development opportunities statewide.
• HB 601 (86R) improving the nexus between mental health and criminal justice.  
• HB 13 (85R) providing local opportunities to address mental health needs.
• HB 1697 (85R) enhancing neonatal intensive care (NICU) telemedicine.
• HB 10 (85R) improving access to care for persons with mental illness.
• HB 194 (84R) creating an annual Texas holiday in honor of Texas Gold Star Mothers.
• HB 635 (84R) ensuring that parents have the right to a respectful burial of their unborn child's remains.
• HB 197 (84R) and HB 2895 (85R) raising the awareness of college students' mental health and available services.
• HB 1212 (84R) and HB 2804 (85R) strengthening laws against synthetic drugs.
• HB 1869 (83R) helping injured Texans.
• HB 220 (83R) allowing judges to enhance the punishment for those who prey on children, vulnerable seniors, or persons with a disability.
• HB 2038 (82R), Natasha's Law, landmark legislation to enhance student athlete brain health.  

Additionally, Price has authored/sponsored and passed several bills into law pertaining to government efficiency, improving the performance of several state agencies under 'sunset' review by the Sunset Advisory Commission, improving the delivery of healthcare including in rural areas, and water policy. In 2013, he joint authored House Bill 4, the historic legislation which led to the creation of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas, more commonly referred to as SWIFT.  

For his legislative work, Representative Price has been recognized by many diverse organizations. Among the honors and awards are:
• 2019 Law and Order Award, Texas District and County Attorneys
• 2019 A Champion for Children, 86th Legislature, Texas PTA
• 2019 Texas Rural Health Award, TORCH
• 2019 Legislative Champion Award, AARP Texas
• 2019 Telemedicine & Health Information Recognition, Texas HIMSS, Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society
• 2019 A Legislative Champion, 86th Legislature, TexProtects
• 2019 86th Texas Legislature Hall of Fame, Texas Realtors
• 2019 Family Champion Award, Texas Council on Family Relations
• 2018-2019 Award for Excellence in State Policy for Public Health, Texas Association of City & County Health Officials  
• 2018 Champion for Children Award, Texas Coalition of Homes for Children
• 2018 Courageous Defense of Life Recognition, Texas Alliance for Life
• 2018 Patient Advocacy Award, Texas Academy of Family Physicians
• 2018 Guardian of Small Business Award, NFIB Texas
• 2018 M. Diane Allbaugh Texas Heroes for Children Award, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children/Texas Office
• 2018 Carmen Miller Michael Mental Health Advocate Award, Mental Health America of Greater Dallas  
• 2018 Public Policy Award, Texas Suicide Prevention Council
• 2017 Top Ten Best Legislator List by Texas Monthly magazine
• 2017 Legislative Champion Award, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
• 2017 Big Voices for Little Texans Award, Texas CASA
• 2017 Champion of Transparency, Texas Press Association
• 2017 Capitol Caregiver, AARP Texas
• 2017 Luminary Award, Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute
• 2017, 2015, 2013 Patient Protection Award, Texas Medical Association
• 2017, 2015 Texas Hospital Advocacy Tribute, Texas Hospital Association
• 2016 Charley H. Shannon Advocate Award, NAMI Texas
• 2015, 2103 Texas Rural Health Award, TORCH
• 2015 Law and Order Award, Texas District and County Attorneys
• 2013 Legislator of the Year Award , Texas Civil Justice League  
• 2013 Distinguished Service Award, Texas Association of Athletic Trainers.

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a B.B.A. degree in Finance and a graduate of Saint Mary's University School of Law with a J.D. degree, Price has practiced law for over twenty years. He currently is a vice president and trust officer for an Amarillo financial institution. Representative Price was raised from childhood in the Texas Panhandle and graduated from Amarillo's Tascosa High School. He and his wife, Karen, live in Amarillo and are the proud parents of four adult children. They are active members of a local church.