Comptroller Don Huffines said his office will deny contracts and grants to any businesses demanding proof of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery from customers.
“The government has no authority to demand medical papers from Texans just so they can access basic services,” Huffines said.
“Forcing someone to disclose private health information to receive help from a state‑funded program is an outrageous invasion of privacy. Texans should never have to choose between their medical freedom and their ability to participate in public life.”
Huffines’ order requires contractors and grantees to certify that they comply with Section 161.0085 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and do not require customers to provide documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or post-transmission recovery to enter, gain access to, or receive service from the business.
“It is very rare for government to restore liberty once it has taken it. That is exactly what I am doing at this agency,” stated Huffines.
“During COVID, Texans had their liberty taken from them one mandate at a time. This order is one more step in an ongoing effort to give Texans back the freedoms that were taken from them, and there is more to come,” he continued.
Texas law prohibits businesses from requiring “vaccine passports,” or proof of a COVID-19 vaccination, from customers. It also bars businesses that require such documentation from receiving state-funded grants or contracts.
Huffines’ order requiring businesses to certify compliance will be standard in future contracts and grants administered by his office.
Solicitations and agreements from the agency will also include the vaccine passport certification in the future.
The agency is writing immediate-termination authority into its agreements to enforce the certification.
