Support Summary by Texas Alliance for Life (8/23/22): HB 1280 updates and improves upon the pre-Roe abortion laws (first passed in 1854) that the Supreme Court blocked in the terrible Roe v. Wade decision. Additionally, Governor Abbott approved an appropriation of $100 million for the current two-year budget for the highly successful Alternatives to Abortion program.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 83-64-1 on May/6/21; passed Senate 18-12-1 on May/13/21; Signed by Governor Greg Abbott on May/19/21
Opposition Summary by KWTX-10 (6/15/21): The measure falls short of what many advocates had hoped for. Its sponsor said on the House floor that her counterparts in the Senate were unwilling to budge including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick]. A Patrick spokesperson said the Lt. Gov. is "strongly opposed to weakening any laws against marijuana."
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 31-0-0 on May/25/21; passed House 119-25-1 on May/28/21; Signed by Governor Greg Abbott on Jun/15/21.
The founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, repeatedly pointed out that despite arguments from [legislative sponsors] that more guns make a safer Texas, gun violence has increased year over year, [saying] "Why does Texas still have high gun violence, yet they have a higher rate of gun ownership?"
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 82-62-2 on May/23/21; passed Senate on May/24/21; signed by Governor Greg Abbott Jun/16/21
The bill's language says that, "A physician shall presume that a pregnant woman is a minor unless the woman presents a valid government record of identification showing that she has reached the age of maturity," essentially creating the same ID requirements that Texas's controversial voter ID law holds for those seeking abortions. That's a significant issue for undocumented Texans seeking abortions.
Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 21-10-0 on May/26/15; passed House 102-43-2 on May/29/15; signed by Governor Greg Abbott Jun/19/15.
When the measure originally passed the House, both Democrats and Republicans rose to oppose the change. State Rep. Sylvester Turner, said moving to the letter grades would be a "horrendous mistake. That places more of a stigma on kids who are trying to rise above their circumstances," he said.
In a particularly fiery speech, state Rep. Larry Phillips (R) urged his colleagues to "stand up for sanity in schools" & vote for his amendment to strip the A-through-F ratings from the bill. "You think just because you rate someone A through F they are going to do a better job? No," Phillips said.
Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 30-1-0 on May/29/15; passed House 119-17-2 on May/31/15; signed by Governor Greg Abbott Jun/19/15.
Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 26-5 on May/4/15; passed House 125-20-1 on Apr/20/15; signed by Governor Greg Abbott May/18/15. A YES vote supports fracking despite local opposition; a NO vote allows municipal regulations on fracking.
"The Supreme Court has abandoned its role as an impartial judicial arbiter, [and] have imposed on the entire country their personal views on an issue that the Constitution and the Court's previous decisions reserve to the people of the States.
"Despite the Supreme Court's rulings, Texans' fundamental right to religious liberty remains protected. No Texan is required by the Supreme Court's decision to act contrary to his or her religious beliefs regarding marriage.
"The Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, combined with the newly enacted Pastor Protection Act, provide robust legal protections to Texans whose faith commands them to adhere to the traditional understanding of marriage.
"As I have done in the past, I will continue to defend the religious liberties of all Texans--including those whose conscience dictates that marriage is only the union of one man & one woman.
Summary by Reuters news service:The Texas governor signed a law to protect the religious rights of faith-based groups in state child welfare programs, but critics said it could be used to discriminate against LGBT and non-Christian families in adoptions. Governor Abbott signed House Bill 3859 which allows faith-based groups working with the Texas child welfare system to deny services "under circumstances that conflict with the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs." It was supported by several Christian groups.
Legislative Outcome: Passed by Senate 21-10-0 on May/22/17; Passed by House 93-49-11 on May/10/17; Signed by Governor Greg Abbott on Jun/15/17
Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 20-11-0 on May/29/15; passed House 102-43-1 on May/29/15; signed by Governor Greg Abbott Jun/13/15.
Excerpt from Sen. Sylvia Garcia statement: "I am afraid that this legislation will lead to harassment and profiling of Latinos. The last thing I want is 'walking while brown' to become reasonable suspicion. And, frankly, it doesn't matter how much this legislation's supporters promise that this will not happen. It will happen."
Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 20-11-0 on May/3/17; passed House 94-53-1 on Apr/27/17; signed by Governor Greg Abbott May/7/17.
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The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for Texas House and Senate.
Click here for other excerpts from Legislative voting records for Texas House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts by Greg Abbott. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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