Representative Donna Howard

Donna Smelser Howard was born on October 25, 1951, in Austin, Texas. She is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 48 since her election in 2006. Throughout her tenure, she has earned recognition across the political spectrum for her respectful advocacy and ability to find common ground on divisive issues, earning the nickname "radically reasonable" and being referred to as the "conscience of the House."

Education

Howard earned a Bachelor's degree in nursing and a Master's degree in health education from the University of Texas. Before entering the legislature, she worked as a critical care nurse at Brackenridge and Seton hospitals and served as Austin's first hospital-based Patient Education Coordinator. She also worked as a health education instructor at UT.

Political Experience

Howard has served in the Texas House for nearly two decades and has become one of the more senior members. She currently holds several key positions:

• Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee
• Vice Chair of the Higher Education Committee
• Chairwoman of the Texas Women's Health Caucus, the largest caucus in the country solely focused on advancing women's health policy
• Member of the Appropriations Committee and Higher Education Committee

Her legislative achievements include authoring H.B. 1590, which created a Sexual Assault Survivors Task Force in the Governor's Office to improve agencies' responses to sexual assaults. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers and was signed into law. In the 88th Legislative Session, she successfully passed the Tax F.R.E.E. Act, eliminating sales taxes on menstrual products, diapers, wipes, and other essential family products. Texas Monthly named her one of their "Best Legislators" in the 86th and 87th Legislative Sessions.

Prior to her legislative career, Howard served on the Eanes ISD board and has worked with numerous community organizations focused on health, education, and social justice.