BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 650
87R4624 SRA-F	By: Campbell
	State Affairs
	3/12/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Given the deeply held personal beliefs of many Texans concerning abortion, it has been a widely accepted practice to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding entities involved in the practice of abortion. In the 86th Legislative Session, S.B. 22 was signed into law preventing state and local taxpayer dollars from funding abortion providers and their affiliates.

Although this law has been successful in many respects, some government entities have sought loopholes to violate the lawful intent of S.B. 22 (86R) by indirectly propping up the abortion industry through logistical services. For example, a city government recently funneled taxpayer funds to an organization that provides logistical support to minors seeking an abortion. Logistical support services consist of, but are not limited to: child care, any type of transportation to or from an abortion provider, lodging, food or food preparation, pro-abortion counseling, and any other service that supports this industry.

S.B. 650 seeks to strengthen S.B. 22 (86R) by explicitly prohibiting local and state taxpayer dollars from funding abortion logistical support services.

As proposed, S.B. 650 amends current law relating to prohibited logistical support by a governmental entity for procurement of an abortion or the services of an abortion provider.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 2272, Government Code, as added by Chapter 501 (S.B. 22), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, by adding Section 2272.0031, as follows:

Sec. 2272.0031. LOGISTICAL SUPPORT PROHIBITED. (a) Prohibits a governmental entity, except as provided by Subsection (b), from entering into a taxpayer resource transaction or appropriating or spending money to provide to any person logistical support for the express purpose of assisting a woman with procuring an abortion or the services of an abortion provider. Provides that logistical support includes providing money for child care, travel or any form of transportation to or from an abortion provider, lodging, food or food preparation, counseling that encourages a woman to have an abortion, and any other service that facilitates the provision of an abortion.

(b) Provides that this section does not apply to a taxpayer resource transaction entered into or money appropriated or spent by a governmental entity that is subject to a federal law in conflict with Subsection (a) as determined by the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission and confirmed in writing by the attorney general.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 2272.004(a), Government Code, as added by Chapter 501 (S.B. 22), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, to include a violation of Section 2272.0031 among violations the attorney general is authorized to bring an action in the name of the state to enjoin.

SECTION 3. Severability clause.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2021.