Senate Hearing On Privacy In Bathrooms, Showers Set For Friday
On Friday, the Texas Senate will hold a committee hearing on SB 3, filed by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, to keep men out of girls’ bathrooms. Texas Values is calling on its supporters and volunteers to give testimony and show support for the bill.
Sen. Kolkhorst filed the bill Wednesday, which protects privacy in multiple-occupancy restrooms, showers, and changing facilities owned by local governments and school districts, as well as in charter schools supported by the state. It provides protection for private business instead of overregulating them.
WHAT: SB 3 legislative hearing
WHEN: 9 a.m. Friday, July 21
WHERE: Texas Capitol Extension (E1.036, Capitol Extension/underground)
WHO: Numerous business leaders, children, and parents, and Texas Values policy analysts available for media interviews on site and on request
MORE INFO: https://txvaluesaction.org/alert-senate-privacy-bill-will-be-heard-in-committee-friday-july-21
We invite all supporters of protecting privacy to join up at the Texas Capitol Friday morning prior to the Senate hearing which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. , E.1306, in the Capitol Extension. The public will be allowed to sign up to speak for two minutes per person throughout the day. Those interested in testifying or helping in other ways may visit the above link for more information.
For the special session, Gov. Greg Abbott has called on Sen. Kolkhorst and Rep. Ron Simmons to work together on a plan to pass a privacy bill this session.
“The Senate has wasted no time in scheduling this critical bill to preserve safe spaces for our most vulnerable, defend businesses, and protect the dignity of our school children who are headed back to school in just a matter of weeks. Texas women, children, and taxpayers are ready to testify at Friday’s hearing and we look forward to a floor debate by the full Senate soon,” said Nicole Hudgens, Policy Analyst for Texas Values. “We stand with Sen. Kolkhorst and all supporters of privacy legislation this special session and expect both chambers to respond to the majority of Texans by sending a bill to the Governor’s desk as soon as possible.”
In the regular legislative session which ended in May, Kolkhorst filed a similar bill which passed by a wide margin in the Senate while a House bill by Simmons was allowed to languish in committee by House leadership. Our previous press release explains this in more detail here.
It wasn’t for a lack of effort that the regular session’s privacy bills failed to make it to the Governor’s desk. Things were looking up on March 7, when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick hosted a press conference supporting Sen. Kolkhorst’s bill that went on to pass the Texas Senate 21-10 on March 15 and was promptly sent to the Texas House.
In March, the Faith and Family Day event gathered hundreds of grassroots supporters and legislative leaders to rally support for legislation to protect privacy. Soon, a group of over 700 pastors and Christian organizational leaders signed a letter calling for passage of the Texas Privacy Act, as well as a growing list of business and civic leaders who echoed that call.
Texas Values, along with likeminded partners, have been busy briefing people across the state on this important issue with well-attended stops in Midland, Houston, Fort Worth, and Tyler. Texans continue to be very motivated in keeping privacy protected in the special session.
There has been so much activity on this critical issue that a landing page has been set up to chronicle all of our press releases, testimonial videos, fact sheets, and other important items. Visit txvalues.org/protectprivacy to learn more.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- A full list of resources, including all press releases and media advisories written in the 85th Legislature regular session, is at the following page: txvalues.org/protectprivacy
- The following businesses, business owners, faith leaders and national entities have voiced their support for Texas privacy legislation (the full list can be found at the above link): Concerned Women of America of Texas , Texas Eagle Forum , Texas Pastor Council, Coalition of African American Pastors, Hispanic Action Pastor Network , San Antonio Family Association (SAFA), Stand for Fort Worth, Vision America Family Research Council FRC Action Family Policy Alliance Timothy Head, Executive Director, Faith & Freedom Coalition, Northeast Tarrant Tea Party Southern Baptist of Texas Convention, Drippings Springs Parents, Phillip Williams, Williams Furniture Co. Jeanie Stephens, Stephens Company, Dustin Cheatham, Pop’s Organics, Ben & Susan Taylor, KNW Oil & Gas, Inc. Pedro Mendez, ATUSA, LLC, Armando Garza, La Altura Pediatrics, Dallas Bingley, Retired Police Officer Tommy Evans, Integrity Entertainment Group LLC, Gary Rodenbaugh, Rodenbaugh’s Flooring American & Appliances Vince Puente, Southwest Office Systems Jonathan Flower, Simple Joy Media; Rebecca Summers, LTS Compression & Lymphedema Therapy Source; Norma Duncan, Duncan Automotive; Alvin Kaddatz, Kaddatz Auctioneering
About Texas Values
Texas Values is a nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org