Signed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits local governments from using tax dollars to fund abortion providers.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a governmental entity from entering into a taxpayer resource transaction with an abortion provider or an affiliate of an abortion provider (Sec. 1).

• Defines “taxpayer resource transaction” as a sale, purchase, lease, donation of money, goods, services, or real property, or any other transaction between a governmental entity and a private entity that provides to the private enty something of value derived from state or local tax revenue, regardless of whether the government entity receives something of value in return (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that “taxpayer resource transaction” includes advocacy or lobbying by or on behalf of a governmental entity on behalf of the interest of an abortion provider or affiliate, but does not include (Sec. 1):

• An officer or employee of a governmental entity providing information to a member of the legislature or appearing before a legislative committee at the request of the member or committee;

• An elected official advocating for or influencing or trying to influence the outcome of legislation pending before the legislature while acting in the capacity of an elected official; or

• An individual speaking as a private citizen on a matter of public concern.

• Specifies that “taxpayer resource transaction” does not include provision of basic public services, including fire and police protection and utilities, by a governmental entity to an abortion provider or affiliate in the same manner as the entity provides the services to the general public (Sec. 1).

• Defines “governmental entity” as this state, a state agency in the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of state government, or a political subdivision of this state (Sec. 1).

• Defines “affiliate” as an individual or entity who enters into with another individual or entity a legal relationship created or governed by at least one written instrument, including a certificate of formation, a franchise agreement, standards of affiliation, bylaws, or a license, that demonstrates (Sec. 1):

• A common ownership, management, or control between the parties to the relationship;

• A franchise granted by the person or entity to the affiliate; or

• The granting or extension of a license or other agreement authorizing the affiliate to use the other person’s or entity’s brand name, trademark, service mark, or other registered identification mark.

Full Bill Text