Sponsored by: Rep. Larry Phillips (R-Sherman) and Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas)
Summary: HB 109 and SB 1098 would have allowed the state to design and create anti-choice license plates. Money collected from the purchase of these plates would have gone into a "Choose Life" account in the state's general revenue fund to be administered by the Texas Attorney General. The funds in the account were to be granted only to "eligible" organizations that do not provide information about or refer for abortion services. UPDATE: The language contained in HB 109 creating "Choose Life" license plates was added as an amendment during the House floor debate of HB 3097 by Rep. Ruth McClendon, a bill that would create the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and set out the functions of the organization. Another amendment, creating "Choose Adoption" license plates for public purchase, was also adopted. Funds from both these license plates will be made available to unregulated, unlicensed CPCs. An amendment by Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) that would have created "Pro-Family, Pro-Choice" license plates and made revenue funds available to organizations that provide family planning health care was also introduced during the debate, and was defeated 86-48. An amendment containing "Choose Life" language was also added to another transportation-related bill, HB 300 by Rep. Carl Isett. HB 300 was then passed by the House 138-6. However, due to political concerns unrelated to "Choose Life" license plates, HB 300 failed to pass the Texas Senate.
HB 109 and SB 1098 would have allowed the state to design and create anti-choice license plates. Money collected from the purchase of these plates would have gone into a "Choose Life" account in the state's general revenue fund to be administered by the Texas Attorney General. The funds in the account were to be granted only to "eligible" organizations that do not provide information about or refer for abortion services.
UPDATE: The language contained in HB 109 creating "Choose Life" license plates was added as an amendment during the House floor debate of HB 3097 by Rep. Ruth McClendon, a bill that would create the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and set out the functions of the organization. Another amendment, creating "Choose Adoption" license plates for public purchase, was also adopted. Funds from both these license plates will be made available to unregulated, unlicensed CPCs.
An amendment by Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) that would have created "Pro-Family, Pro-Choice" license plates and made revenue funds available to organizations that provide family planning health care was also introduced during the debate, and was defeated 86-48.
An amendment containing "Choose Life" language was also added to another transportation-related bill, HB 300 by Rep. Carl Isett. HB 300 was then passed by the House 138-6. However, due to political concerns unrelated to "Choose Life" license plates, HB 300 failed to pass the Texas Senate.
PPNT Position: Oppose - HB 109 and SB 1098 was designed to allow the state to collect funds to be distributed to anti-choice groups such as crisis pregnancy centers (CPC) - unlicensed and unregulated facilities that do not meet the health and safety standards of health clinics. CPCs pretend to offer medical advice and services while delivering biased and scientifically inaccurate information to discourage women from exercising their right to choose. Any organization that mentions abortion as an option could not receive these funds. This bill blatantly discriminated against pro-choice organizations by attempting to allow the state to collect funds and distribute them only to anti-choice organizations. Similar laws that have passed in other states have resulted in numerous and costly legal battles over their constitutionality. With Texas facing a deficit this year, it is more important to spend taxpayer dollars on education and our health care system, not drawn-out courtroom battles.
Oppose - HB 109 and SB 1098 was designed to allow the state to collect funds to be distributed to anti-choice groups such as crisis pregnancy centers (CPC) - unlicensed and unregulated facilities that do not meet the health and safety standards of health clinics. CPCs pretend to offer medical advice and services while delivering biased and scientifically inaccurate information to discourage women from exercising their right to choose. Any organization that mentions abortion as an option could not receive these funds.
This bill blatantly discriminated against pro-choice organizations by attempting to allow the state to collect funds and distribute them only to anti-choice organizations. Similar laws that have passed in other states have resulted in numerous and costly legal battles over their constitutionality. With Texas facing a deficit this year, it is more important to spend taxpayer dollars on education and our health care system, not drawn-out courtroom battles.
Latest Action: 5/12/2009 - HB 109 was left pending in House Transportation committee. 5/26/2009 - SB 1098 was left pending in House Transportation committee.
5/12/2009 - HB 109 was left pending in House Transportation committee.
5/26/2009 - SB 1098 was left pending in House Transportation committee.
Recorded Votes: 4/21/2009 - SB 1098 Senate Health & Human Services committee vote (passed 7-1). PPNT opposed this bill. For (Anti-Choice) Sen. Bob Deuell (R-Greenville) Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Lewisville) Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) 5/4/2009 - SB 109 full Senate vote (passed 22-9). For (Anti-Choice) Against (Pro-Choice) Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas) Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) Sen. Bob Deuell (R-Greenville) Sen. Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) Sen. Chris Harris (R-Arlington) Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Lewisville) Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) Sen. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas)
4/21/2009 - SB 1098 Senate Health & Human Services committee vote (passed 7-1). PPNT opposed this bill.
5/4/2009 - SB 109 full Senate vote (passed 22-9).
5/5/2009 - House floor vote to table "Pro-Family, Pro-Choice" license plate amendment to HB 3097. PPNT supported this amendment.
