In a move that tightens Texas’ abortion laws, the State Senate recently advanced Senate Bill 33, which aims to bar cities and other local governments from financially supporting organizations that help residents travel out of state for abortions.
State Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) authored the bill, which passed 22-9 and is expected to receive final approval this week before heading to the Texas House.
If enacted, the bill would expand the scope of Texas law by prohibiting not only direct government funding of abortion providers, already restricted by 2019’s Senate Bill 22, but also financial cooperation with so-called “abortion assistance entities.”
That restriction would include nonprofits and advocacy groups that help Texans cover travel, lodging, and even meals related to getting an abortion in other states where the procedure remains more accessible.
“This bill, SB 33, ensures taxpayer funds are not used to indirectly support or facilitate out-of-state abortion services by explicitly prohibiting government transactions with abortion assistance entities,” Campbell said during this week’s floor debate.
Cities like Austin and San Antonio have been in the crosshairs of state officials over policies that earmark public funds for abortion-related travel. According to public city budget documents first highlighted in a report by The Texas Scorecard, Austin allocated $400,000 in its 2024-2025 fiscal year to support organizations that aid residents seeking abortions outside of Texas.
State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin) questioned whether the bill would interfere with emergency exceptions allowed under existing Texas abortion laws, such as those in Senate Bill 8 of 2021.
“This does not apply to any emergency. This applies for assistance going out of state to seek an abortion,” Campbell responded.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a staunch supporter of SB 33, praised the bill’s progress in a statement published to his website after Tuesday’s vote.
“Since 2021, abortions in Texas have essentially ground to a halt. A number of rogue, liberal cities have done everything in their power to skirt state law, including paying for out-of-state travel for abortions on-demand outside Texas. This is unacceptable,” Patrick wrote.
Patrick further described the bill’s passage as “drawing a line in the sand,” signaling that state lawmakers are ready to challenge any organizations seeking loopholes in Texas’ abortion laws.
The Texas House will now take up the legislation in the coming weeks, where it is likely to find a receptive audience among the Republican majority. If passed and signed into law, SB 33 would mark another step in Texas’ continued effort to reclaim control over the state’s abortion policies.