Rep. VanDeaver, Gary
Biography
Rep. Gary VanDeaver is serving his fifth term as the state Representative for Texas House District 1 for Bowie, Cass, Lamar, Morris and Red River counties. The 88th session was the first one that he represented Cass and Morris counties.
Committee assignments. House Speaker Dade Phelan appointed Rep. VanDeaver to serve on these House and Select Committees:
- House Committee on Appropriations, which he has served on since 2015.
- Chair of the Appropriations Committee's Article III subcommittee that is responsible for the budgets for public education, higher education and the Teacher Retirement System (TRS).
- House Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services that has jurisdiction over the state's public retirement systems, the banking system and credit unions, as well as savings and loan associations.
- House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity and Enrichment to report on the current menu of educational choices and options available to K-12 students.
- Texas Commission on Community College Finance (TxCCCF). In 2021, the TxCCCF took a deep dive into the structure and importance of community colleges. As a result, Rep. VanDeaver filed and passed House Bill 8 this session to change the community colleges' funding structure to an outcomes-based model that rewards colleges whose students are on a pathway for a degree, certification, credential of value or going into the workforce earning a living wage.
Bills filed. While in the legislature, Gary has passed legislation specifically for interests in HD 1 including bills relating to the election of trustees for Paris Junior College; appointment of bailiffs in Bowie County courts; additional powers for TexAmericas Center; a bill allowing honorably retired peace officers to be buried in their uniforms; as well as bills to align student completion of courses in high-demand, high-skilled and high-wage programs in career and technical education with the state's accountability system.
In the 88th regular session, he also passed several bills in response to issues raised by
constituents:
- HB 422 (virtual hearings in juvenile cases);
- HB 430 (Texas Forest Service must consider age of equipment in the voluntary fire
- department assistance program);
- HB 433 (definition of commercial fleet);
- HB 2558/SB 1187 (updates for TexAmericas Center); and,
- HB 3009 (allows advanced practice registered nurses to perform examinations of a
- possible ward's competency determination by a judge).
Personal information. Raised on a small family cattle operation near Clarksville, Texas, in Red
River County, Gary learned the importance of a strong work ethic, a love for the land and faith in
God from an early age. Traditional values and a commitment to service continue to drive Gary in
his daily work on behalf of the families and communities of his district. Inspired by a deepseated
belief in serving others and investing in our rising generations, Gary embarked on a
33year career as an educator. After beginning his career as a vocational agriculture teacher, he
became a school principal and completed a Doctorate in Educational Administration. He last
served as Superintendent of New Boston Independent School District before his initial election
to the Texas House in 2014.
Gary and his wife, Pamela, have been married for 40 years. Their two grown daughters carry on
the family tradition of public service as a schoolteacher and criminal prosecutor. The
VanDeavers also have two granddaughters and a grandson. Locally, Gary is involved with the
Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club, having served as president of both. He also served on
the Board of Directors of the Texas FFA, Red River County Farm Bureau, Bogata Rodeo
Association and Red River County Fair Association. The VanDeavers are members of the First
Baptist Church of New Boston, where Gary serves as a deacon and teaches adult Sunday school.