81st Legislature

• Doc Brown Legislator of the Year Award for 2009 from Texas State Rifle Association
• Civil Justice Leadership Award from Texans for Lawsuit Reform
• Champion for Free Enterprise Award from the Texas Association of Business
• Legislator of the Year award by the Texas Mining and Reclamation Association
• Legislative Excellence Award, from the Texas Municipal Police Association

80th Legislature

• Legislator of the Year, from the Texas Grain and Feed Association;
• Best Legislator and Rookie of the Year, from Capitol Inside; and
• Smart on Crime Award, from Texas Criminal Justice Coalition
• Champion of Free Enterprise Award, from the Texas Association of Business
• 2008 Distinguished Young Alumnus Award from St. Mary's University School of Law
• Legislative Excellence Award, from the Texas Municipal Police Association

79th Legislature

• Honorable Mention as Top Legislator, from the Capitol Inside; and
• Stars for Rural Texas Recognition, from Texas Farm Bureau

78th Legislature

• Legislative Excellence Award, from the Texas Municipal Police Association;
• Legislator of the Year, from the Justices of the Peace and Constable's Association of Texas;
• Recognized by the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star Telegram for authoring HB 552, one of the top 20 winning bills of the session;
• Cattleman's Council Award, from the Independent Cattleman's Association of Texas; and
• Perfectly Pro-Life Award, from the Texas Right to Life.