Local Texas Representative Works Towards Passage of HB 2217

Representative Trey Wharton has been trying to learn his new job as quickly as possible and has already authored a bill that has advanced to calendars. This is an accomplishment for a junior representative, and it is a bill for a cause that is near to Wharton’s heart.

Wharton had only been sworn in two days before the tragic death of Navasota’s Sergeant Mark Butler was tragically killed on duty. During his campaign, he had been in contact with Operation Safe Shield about their organization’s attempts to put bulletproof and crash resistant materials into squad cars in the Brazos Valley Area. 

“The outpouring of support and solidarity from Republicans and Democrats alike was wonderful to see, and I think it spurred me on to write this bill as quickly as possible,” explained Wharton in a recent interview.

HB 2217 aims to bridge the gap in funding between urban and rural communities by providing the funds to get bullet and crash resistant materials into squad cars all throughout the State of Texas. Wharton worked closely with Dr. Clifford Dorn to create a solid bill that would aim to, in Dr. Dorn’s words, “put us [Operation Safe Shield] out of business someday.”

Wharton has spoken with first responders throughout his constituency and they all agree that these materials can save the lives of officers as well as protect anyone in the car being transported. 

“This is a non-partisan issue that aims to help every Texas community by giving first responders the defensive capabilities they need,” explained Wharton. He’s gotten a positive response from both sides of the aisle as the bill went through committee. He is set to speak before the House on Saturday, May 3 regarding this bill. However, he hopes that he can make it to the RCRW Town Hall meeting the same day, but he encourages his constituents to reach out to him about their questions or concerns for the future of this part of Texas.