Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law Aug. 19 banning local governments from using taxpayer dollars to cover travel or logistics for women seeking abortions out of state.
The new law, Senate Bill 33, was led by Republicans Sen. Donna Campbell and Rep. Candy Noble and takes effect Sept. 1. It prohibits cities and counties from paying for airfare, hotels, meals, or other expenses tied to abortion access.
At the Aug. 19 signing ceremony, Abbott also signed Senate Bill 31, the Life of the Mother Act. The law clarifies that doctors can provide care to women in cases of life-threatening pregnancy complications before the risk becomes imminent and protects them from prosecution when “the death or injury to the unborn child was accidental or unintentional.” It also clarifies that treatments for miscarriage and non-viable pregnancies — for example, removing ectopic pregnancies through treatments using reasonable medical judgement — are not classified as abortions.
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In an Aug. 19 press release, Abbott regarded the two new laws as part of Texas’ pro-life identity, saying, “In Texas, we support mothers and their children.”
He said he is “proud to sign a law to ban taxpayer dollars from funding abortions. Texas is a pro-life and pro-family state. With these laws, we will stay that way.”
Abbott signed the bill alongside state lawmakers and pro-life leaders, including members of the pro-life organization Texas Values. Policy Director for Texas Values Jonathan Covey praised the bill in an Aug. 19 press release.
“By signing SB 33,” Covey said, “we are putting an end to this dangerous and wasteful practice and ensuring that the sanctity of life is being upheld as the citizens of Texas intended.”
In 2024, the Austin City Council allocated $400,000 in the city’s budget to help women travel out of state for abortions, covering airfare, hotels, and meals, Texas Values reported in its release. The organization said San Antonio officials also considered similar programs earlier this year.
LifeNews Note: Elise Winland writes for CatholicVote, where this column originally appeared.
