Texas Political Spotlight

SB 31 Aims to Clarify Life-Saving Abortion Exceptions

Texas Republicans have introduced SB 31, known as the “Life of the Mother Act,” which aims to clarify when doctors can legally intervene to save a pregnant patient’s life under the state’s near-total abortion ban. Filed by Senator Bryan Hughes, the bill seeks to address confusion among doctors who fear severe penalties for performing medically necessary abortions, despite existing legal exceptions. The bill reiterates that doctors can remove ectopic pregnancies or fetal remains after a miscarriage, aligns the definition of medical emergency with existing state law, and ensures that discussions between doctors, lawyers, and patients about medically necessary abortions are not considered “aiding and abetting.” It also proposes continued education for healthcare professionals and attorneys to improve their understanding of the law.

SB 31 comes after ongoing concerns that current state law contains vague language that has led some doctors to delay or avoid care, resulting in deaths and reports of denied or postponed medical treatment. The Texas Supreme Court previously ruled that a medical emergency does not need to be imminent or irreversible for doctors to act, a clarification now included in the bill. While proponents argue the measure offers necessary guidance to protect both patients and medical practitioners, abortion rights advocates believe it falls short of restoring broader access to the procedure. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has also prioritized SB 33, which would prohibit local governments from supporting abortion funds or nonprofits aiding individuals seeking out-of-state abortions.

Cracking Down on AI Misuse

Lawmakers in Texas are increasingly focusing on regulating artificial intelligence, particularly concerning explicit content and political messaging. The Texas Senate unanimously passed SB 20, authored by Senator Pete Flores, which aims to expand the legal definition of child pornography to include AI-generated or cartoon depictions involving minors. The bill establishes a felony offense for the possession of such material, regardless of whether the depiction is of a real child, an animation, or a computer-generated image. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick emphasized the importance of protecting children from harmful AI-generated content, stating that the proliferation of such material requires urgent action.

Meanwhile, in the Texas House of Representatives, Representative Mary Gonzalez introduced two bills aimed at regulating AI-generated explicit content. HB 581 would require deep fake generators to implement age verification systems to ensure users are adults and verify that individuals depicted in images are over 18. HB 421 proposes that these generators must obtain consent from anyone depicted in explicit videos. Rep. Ann Johnson, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence, expressed concern that Texas is lagging in AI-related regulations protecting minors stating that Texas is, "so far behind on regulations with regard to AI in a way that protects minors." Former House Speaker Dade Phelan has also introduced a bill to mandate disclosure when altered imagery or deep fakes are used in political messaging. Phelan's proposal, his first in four years, aims to ensure transparency in political communications without interfering with harmless online humor.

Teaching Kids to Vote or Threatening Election Integrity?

A bill by Representative Ryan Guillen that would allow children under 16 to mark their parents’ ballots during elections has sparked debate among election workers and advocates. HB 429 aims to promote voter participation among young Texans by familiarizing them with the voting process. Guillen argued that the measure would empower parents to teach their children about the importance of voting, framing it as a valuable educational experience.

Some election officials and advocates voiced concerns over potential challenges and risks associated with the proposal. Cindi Castilla, president of the Texas Eagle Forum and a longtime election judge, argued that the policy could compromise election integrity by making it difficult to verify whether a child truly belongs to the parent they accompany.

The bill was left pending after the hearing, which also included testimony on several other election-related bills scheduled for further discussion on March 20.

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