Public Policy Issues in Texas (house Bill 4260)

Throughout 1:47 to 9:52 of The Texas Tribune’s TribCast podcast by entitled “Masturbation fine, bathroom bill, Beto and Will’s road trip,” the dynamics behind a controversial bill that seeks to fine Texas men for each time they masturbate were thoroughly discussed. House Bill 4260 may have garnered attention due to its sheer novelty, underlining the intent of State Rep. Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) to ignite a statewide discussion on intrusive women’s health regulations supported by no less than her male counterparts. Rep. Farrar may not be serious in HB 4260 itself, but she meant business in rattling her conservative colleagues over their pro-life stances that are burdensome to Texas women. Being a staunch advocate for women’s health, Rep. Farrar has done well to cause a disruption among her Republican colleagues over the way they interfered with women’s bodies. Provisions such as the $100 masturbation fine and 24-hour informed consent for Viagra prescription and invasive procedures such as vasectomy and colonoscopy mirror Texas conservatives’ positions regarding unnecessary procedures related to abortion. Given that, HB 4260 shall lead Texas conservatives to understand that the onus imparted by their women’s health policies is by no means essential, hence the need to review and repeal them.

It is also important to note that current statewide realities do not bode well on existing abortion policies in Texas, adding to their oppressive character on women’s health. Abortion clinics within Texas are few and far between and are dwindling over time, making them highly inaccessible to much of the Texas women looking to practice their right.

Considering Texas conservatives’ inability to back their policies with a strong commitment to full enforcement, it is only imperative for them to start thoroughly reflection on the inconvenience portrayed by HB 4260 on men. Regardless, Texas conservatives remain steadfast in defending the necessity of their women’s health measures. Proposals such as treating abortions as acts of murder requiring burials or cremations for unborn fetuses continue to dominate the pro-life thinking of Rep. Farrar’s congressional adversaries, accusing her of falling short on fundamental knowledge on biology over HB 4260. Such reflects the myopia of Texas conservatives, considering that Rep. Farrar has compellingly challenged the very essence of their pro-life beliefs through a satirical take on masturbation among Texas males as an affront to the creation of life.

Overall, HB 4260 has demonstrated the ability to make Texas conservatives think about the relative pointlessness of their pro-life measures, emphasizing their taxing effects on Texas women. Rep Farrar may have been successful in leading her conservative critics towards defensiveness, but it is their respective constituencies that would eventually push them to understand that their views are simply ineffective and bothersome for Texas women. The sheer ability of HB 4260 to raise eyebrows gave effect to Rep. Farrar’s objective to trigger debates not only among her fellow representatives, but also among Texans who are on the receiving end of their policies.