{ "id": "ep2cd8j099", "slug": "kevin-sparks", "title": "Kevin Sparks", "updated": "2026-09-29", "topic_path": [ { "id": "society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society" }, { "id": "society.politics", "label": "Politics and government", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions", "label": "Government and public administration", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders", "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials", "label": "US governors and state officials", "api_url": 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"geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.southern-state-legislators.alpha-ru-to-t", "label": "Surnames Ru to T", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.southern-state-legislators.alpha-ru-to-t" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Kevin Sparks is an American Republican politician representing District 31 in the Texas Senate since 2023, and chair of its Natural Resources Committee; he previously led the Midland oil and gas company Discovery Operating.", "snippet": "Kevin Sparks is an American Republican politician representing District 31 in the Texas Senate since 2023, and chair of its Natural Resources Committee; he previously led the Midland oil and gas company Discovery Operating.", "node": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.southern-state-legislators.alpha-ru-to-t", "markdown": "# Kevin Sparks\n\nKevin Sparks is an American politician and a Republican member of the [Texas Senate](https://www.edgepedia.org/texas-senate), representing the 31st district.[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31) Elected to the Senate in 2022, he took office in January 2023 for a four-year term and serves as chair of the Texas Senate Natural Resources Committee and as vice chair of the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs.[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31) • [2](https://pboilandgasmagazine.com/midlands-sparks-named-chair-of-texas-senate-natural-resources-committee/) Before entering politics, he was chief executive officer of Discovery Operating, a family-owned oil and gas company in [Midland, Texas](https://www.edgepedia.org/midland-texas).[3](https://www.texaspolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/November_Update_SD31-Sparks_Biography.docx.pdf)\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n| --- | --- |\n| Party | Republican[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31) |\n| Current office | Member of the Texas Senate, District 31[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31); Chair, Texas Senate Natural Resources Committee (current committee post); Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs[2](https://pboilandgasmagazine.com/midlands-sparks-named-chair-of-texas-senate-natural-resources-committee/) |\n| Education | Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Texas at Austin, 1985[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31) |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nSparks is a Republican.[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31) A 2025 press release from his Senate office identifies him as \"Senator Kevin Sparks (R-Midland)\".[4](https://senate.texas.gov/members/d31/press/en/p20250226a.pdf)\n\n## Early life and education\n\nSparks grew up in Midland, Texas, and graduated from Robert E. Lee [High School](https://www.edgepedia.org/high-school) in 1982, earning his Eagle Scout award.[5](https://senate.texas.gov/members/d31/nl/en/Sparks-NL-89th.pdf) He received a [Bachelor of Business Administration](https://www.edgepedia.org/bachelor-of-business-administration) from the [University of Texas at Austin](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-texas-at-austin) in 1985 and returned to Midland, where he joined Discovery Operating, his family's business.[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31) A campaign biography states that he began work at the company just before the oil market crashed in 1986, received his first pay cut by April 1986, and worked as a pumper for almost three years before rising to chief executive officer.[3](https://www.texaspolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/November_Update_SD31-Sparks_Biography.docx.pdf)\n\nHe and his wife, Jill, have four children and have been active in Midland for more than 30 years as [Young Life](https://www.edgepedia.org/young-life) and church leaders.[3](https://www.texaspolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/November_Update_SD31-Sparks_Biography.docx.pdf) He has served on the boards of High Sky Children's Ranch, the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and the Natural Gas Producers Association, and as a trustee at Midland Classical Academy.[6](https://senate.texas.gov/members/d31/press/en/p20231031a.pdf)\n\n## Career\n\nSparks was elected to the Texas State Senate in 2022, representing District 31, and took office in January 2023 at the start of the 88th [Legislature](https://www.edgepedia.org/legislature).[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31) His Senate page states that during his first two sessions, in the 88th and 89th Legislatures, he focused on energy reliability, water accessibility, healthcare, foster care reform, and combating oilfield theft.[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31)\n\nHe has served since 2023 as a member of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, a seven-member group that oversees natural gas and oil, minerals, land use, and environmental quality.[2](https://pboilandgasmagazine.com/midlands-sparks-named-chair-of-texas-senate-natural-resources-committee/) After the departure of five senators, including four committee chairs, Sparks was named chair of the natural resources committee and vice chair of the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, which is chaired by Charles Perry; the standing committee assignments were made for the remainder of the 2026 interim.[2](https://pboilandgasmagazine.com/midlands-sparks-named-chair-of-texas-senate-natural-resources-committee/) After his appointment, Sparks told the Odessa American, \"Texas' natural resources are the lifeblood of our economy, our communities and our way of life. I am honored to serve as chairman of this committee and committed to advancing policies that protect and grow these vital assets for all Texans.\"[2](https://pboilandgasmagazine.com/midlands-sparks-named-chair-of-texas-senate-natural-resources-committee/)\n\n## Electoral history\n\nSparks was elected to the Texas State Senate from District 31 in 2022 for a four-year term beginning in January 2023.[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31) A November 2022 campaign biography described him as elected to represent the 31st District.[3](https://www.texaspolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/November_Update_SD31-Sparks_Biography.docx.pdf)\n\n## Issues specific to Sparks\n\nIn 2025, Sparks filed a series of priority legislative packages for the 89th Legislature, announced on his Senate page: a third package on grid reliability, a fourth on child welfare reform, a fifth on water access and supply, and a final package on oilfield theft.[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31) His office also issued a release titled \"Sparks Responds to PUC Approval of Import Path 1 and Urges Legislative Review Before Further 765-kV Decisions\".[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31)\n\nOn water policy, the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Texas Rural Water Association publicly supported his water legislation; a Texas Rural Water Association general counsel stated that the association applauded Senator Sparks' efforts to restore legislative intent by preserving the agreed-upon definition of rural water, which would ensure clarity and consistency in water policy implementation.[4](https://senate.texas.gov/members/d31/press/en/p20250226a.pdf)\n\n## Positions and legislative record\n\n### Water access and supply\n\nIn February 2025, Sparks announced his fifth 89th legislative priority package, focused on Texas' water access and supply, addressing water cybersecurity, clarity and consistency for rural applicants, and water resource management. He said, \"I am committed to strengthening our water infrastructure and guaranteeing consistent access for all residents of the state.\"[4](https://senate.texas.gov/members/d31/press/en/p20250226a.pdf) The package included key pieces of SB 7 (Perry), described as \"Securing Texas' Water Future\", which would dedicate financial resources toward water cybersecurity and require utilities to report security breaches within 48 hours.[4](https://senate.texas.gov/members/d31/press/en/p20250226a.pdf) A House companion bill, HB 2302, carried in the House, would restore the definition of \"rural water\".[4](https://senate.texas.gov/members/d31/press/en/p20250226a.pdf)\n\n### Oilfield theft, child welfare, and grid reliability\n\nSparks' 2025 priority packages included legislation on oilfield theft, child welfare reform, and grid reliability, filed during the 89th Legislature.[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31)\n\n### Fiscal responsibility and health and human services\n\nHis Senate page states that on fiscal responsibility, Sparks \"champions efficient government spending that serves taxpayers without compromising critical services\", and that he works to enhance the quality and accessibility of health and human services, \"believing that healthy families are the foundation of strong communities\".[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31)\n\n### Foster care\n\nSparks' Senate page describes him as \"a strong advocate for foster care reform and the protection of vulnerable children\", with efforts that \"prioritize building a stronger, safer system for children and families\".[1](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31) A 2022 campaign biography listed him as a board member for One Accord for Kids, supporting foster care.[3](https://www.texaspolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/November_Update_SD31-Sparks_Biography.docx.pdf)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Senator Kevin Sparks: District 31 | The Texas State Senate](https://senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=31)\n2. [Midland's Sparks named chair of Texas Senate natural resources committee - Permian Basin Oil and Gas Magazine](https://pboilandgasmagazine.com/midlands-sparks-named-chair-of-texas-senate-natural-resources-committee/)\n3. [Kevin Sparks Biography, November 2022](https://www.texaspolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/November_Update_SD31-Sparks_Biography.docx.pdf)\n4. [State Senator Sparks Files Fifth 89th Priority Legislative Package on Water Access & Supply](https://senate.texas.gov/members/d31/press/en/p20250226a.pdf)\n5. [Sparks Newsletter, 89th Legislature](https://senate.texas.gov/members/d31/nl/en/Sparks-NL-89th.pdf)\n6. [Senator Sparks Newsletter, October 2023](https://senate.texas.gov/members/d31/press/en/p20231031a.pdf)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US governors and state officials › State legislators › Southern state legislators › Surnames Ru to T*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 28, 2026; Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Sep 28, 2026; Sep 29, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/kevin-sparks", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/kevin-sparks.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Kevin Sparks\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/kevin-sparks. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Kevin Sparks](https://www.edgepedia.org/kevin-sparks)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/kevin-sparks](https://www.edgepedia.org/kevin-sparks). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Kevin Sparks\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/kevin-sparks. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Kevin Sparks is an American Republican politician representing District 31 in the Texas Senate since 2023, and chair of its Natural Resources Committee; he previously led the Midland oil and gas company Discovery Operating." }