Senator Kelly Hancock on Lone Star Politics: A Booming Metroplex Searches for Water
February 16, 2025State Senator Kelly Hancock tells NBC 5 what state lawmakers are working on this year in Austin.
State Senator Kelly Hancock tells NBC 5 what state lawmakers are working on this year in Austin.
The Texas House and Senate released their proposed budgets for 2026 and 2027. Republican State Senator Kelly Hancock of North Richland Hills told Jack Fink, “It’s encouraging to have this start and see how close we really are together on the one piece of legislation that we have to pass.”
By Dylan Scott
AUSTIN, Texas — “It was very life-changing, and I want to see if I can positively impact the lives of others as well,” state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-District 19, told Spectrum News 1 recently.
Battling a rare kidney disease for more than half his life, Hancock, like nearly 10,000 other Texans, lived and waited for a miracle.
“I’ve known for 31 years this day would come,” Hancock said. “Seven years ago, was told I was a year or two away from dialysis.”
When his health became dire last year, eight members of Hancock’s family stepped up and were tested as a possible match for a kidney transplant. His son-in-law, Greg Cox, proved to be the best fit for surgery and donated his kidney this past July.
“I think the fact that we can do that is pretty cool,” Cox said. “If you’re on the fence, and you’d like to do it, there’s plenty of people that need it. Honestly, I got more out of it than Kelly did.”
Turning his plight into public policy, Hancock filed Senate Bill 1249, a bill that was unanimously passed in the Senate to bring educational resources to the living organ donor registry, which started in Texas.
“Once they are knowledgeable about the opportunity that there is a calling to do that and if they feel led, we want to provide the information,” Hancock said.
Besides registering at the DMV, this legislation will make donor information more readily available on state websites and platforms, a much-needed boost according to Donate Life Texas Executive Director Chad Carroll.
“I don’t think people in Texas are aware that they can become a living donor and how great the need is,” Carroll said. “We’re excited to update our education to include living donors as a viable solid option for those looking to save someone’s life.”
According to the organization, 96% of the state’s organ needs, which are almost all kidney and liver transplants, can be met through living participants.
“Hopefully we can improve lives through the marketing and educational process,” Hancock said. “Eventually the living list of donors grows where there isn’t a huge deficiency and need.”
Senator Kelly Hancock of North Richland Hills has had a rare kidney disease for more than 30 years. Earlier today he had surgery to receive a donated kidney from his son-in-law. We are able to report that both are doing well tonight, before his surgery, they sat down exclusively with political reporter Julie Fine, to talk about his journey.
