As the Texas Legislature moves deeper into its 89th regular session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has outlined his top 40 priorities, including two abortion-related bills aimed at clarifying state law and restricting taxpayer-funded abortion travel. These bills—Senate Bill 31, the “Life of the Mother Act,” and Senate Bill 33, “Stopping Taxpayer-Funded Abortion Travel”—highlight the continued debate over Texas’ stringent abortion laws.
Clarifying Texas’ Abortion Exceptions
SB 31, which is expected to be authored by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), seeks to clarify the state’s current abortion restrictions, particularly its exceptions for life-threatening pregnancies. The bill comes in response to concerns from healthcare providers and political opponents who argue that the existing law leaves doctors uncertain about when they can legally perform an abortion to save a woman’s life.
Texas’ current abortion ban, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2021 and triggered by the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, prohibits elective abortions from conception. However, it allows exceptions when a pregnancy threatens the mother’s life or could cause “substantial impairment of a major bodily function.” Despite this, some hospitals and doctors have expressed hesitation about intervening in complicated pregnancies due to fear of legal repercussions.
Hughes, who was the architect of Texas’ abortion trigger ban, acknowledged the concerns but has maintained that the law is already clear. In a November 2024 opinion piece, he wrote, “Most doctors and hospitals are following the law by helping women who are experiencing medical emergencies. Sadly, some are not, and the results are tragic.” His proposed legislation aims to eliminate any lingering ambiguity.
The issue has gained national attention, particularly after four women—including Texas resident Amanda Zurawski—sued the state in March 2023, claiming they suffered harm due to the state’s abortion restrictions. Zurawski later spoke at a Houston campaign rally for former Vice President Kamala Harris in October 2024, where she described being denied an abortion until her condition worsened to sepsis.
Restricting Taxpayer-Funded Abortion Travel
Meanwhile, SB 33, filed by Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) along with 17 other senators, seeks to prevent government entities from using taxpayer money to assist with abortion-related travel. It mirrors Campbell’s previous SB 730, which would prohibit state and local governments from financially supporting abortion providers in any way, including transportation for individuals seeking abortions outside Texas.
The bill strengthens enforcement mechanisms against government-funded abortion travel, a practice that has been the subject of legal disputes in other conservative-led states. Supporters argue that taxpayer dollars should not facilitate abortion access, while opponents contend that such restrictions disproportionately harm low-income women who may lack the resources to travel for the procedure.
Political Momentum and Legislative Outlook
Patrick, who announced the final 15 priorities in his legislative agenda last week, has made it clear that these abortion-related bills align with the broader conservative push in Texas. “We are moving rapidly to ensure all these bills, which reflect the will of the conservative majority of Texans, have ample time to pass the Texas House and arrive at Gov. Abbott’s desk,” he said.
With the bill-filing deadline now passed and the constitutional 60-day period for focusing on emergency items over, Texas lawmakers have until sine die on June 2 to pass legislation. Patrick has expressed confidence that the Senate will move swiftly, aiming to pass all priority bills by mid-April.
“The Texas Senate is the finest, most deliberative legislative body in America,” he said. “Texans, and especially conservatives, can count on us to lead the charge by passing our bold, conservative agenda to keep Texas strong.”
As the session unfolds, SBs 31 and 33 are likely to spark intense debate, particularly from Democrats and reproductive rights advocates who argue that Texas’ abortion laws are already among the strictest in the nation. However, with Republican control of both legislative chambers and a strong conservative agenda, the bills are expected to advance, further shaping the landscape of reproductive healthcare in the Lone Star State.
