A Republican lawmaker killed an amendment that would have prevented children’s hospitals from receiving grant money if they provide gender mutilating surgeries.
Under consideration in the Texas House was House Bill 1898, creating a new taxpayer-funded grant program for mental and behavioral health services at children’s hospitals.
During debate on Monday, State Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R–Arlington) presented an amendment to the legislation. He wanted to disqualify for consideration any children’s hospitals performing gender mutilating surgeries on children.
However, during the floor debate in the legislation’s second full chamber reading, State Rep. Charlie Geren (R–Fort Worth) called a point of order on Tinderholt’s amendment.
Geren argued that it was not germane to set boundaries around the grant program.
The “germaneness rule” requires amendments to address the same subject as the legislation it is proposed to change.
House Speaker Dade Phelan (R–Beaumont) agreed, killing Tinderholt’s push.
The underlying legislation, without Tinderholt’s amendment, was adopted by the House.
State Sen. Chuy Hinojosa (D–McAllen) filed similar legislation in the Senate. Senate Bill 1365 was referred to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services and has yet to be scheduled for a hearing.
A similar amendment has not been submitted for Hinojosa’s measure.
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