85R2563 AAF-D     By: Anchia H.B. No. 494       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a prohibition on state travel to a state with laws   allowing or requiring discrimination based on sexual orientation or   gender identity or expression.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 6, Government Code, is amended   by adding Chapter 620 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 620. PROHIBITION ON STATE TRAVEL TO STATES WITH CERTAIN   DISCRIMINATORY LAWS          Sec. 620.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                (1)  "Gender identity or expression" means having or   being perceived as having gender-related identity, appearance,   expression, or behavior, regardless of whether that identity,   appearance, expression, or behavior is different from that commonly   associated with the individual's actual or perceived sex.                (2)  "Sexual orientation" means the actual or perceived   status of an individual with respect to the individual's sexuality.                (3)  "State agency" means a board, commission,   department, office, or other agency in the executive or legislative   branch of state government. The term includes an institution of   higher education, the senate, and the house of representatives.                (4)  "State employee" means a person who receives   compensation for service performed, other than as an independent   contractor, for a state agency. The term includes a state officer or   a member of the senate or house of representatives.          Sec. 620.002.  APPLICABILITY. (a) Except as provided by   Subsection (b), this chapter applies only to travel to a state other   than this state that, after June 26, 2015, enacted a law that:                (1)  voids or repeals any existing protection against   discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender   identity or expression;                (2)  authorizes or requires discrimination against   same-sex couples or their families or on the basis of sexual   orientation or gender identity or expression; or                (3)  creates an exemption to an antidiscrimination law   in order to permit discrimination against same-sex couples or their   families or on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or   expression.          (b)  This chapter does not apply to travel to a state   described by Subsection (a) after the date all laws described by   Subsections (a)(1)-(3) are repealed or otherwise become   ineffective in that state.          Sec. 620.003.  CERTAIN STATE TRAVEL PROHIBITED. A state   agency may not:                (1)  require a state employee to travel to a state   described by Section 620.002(a); or                (2)  except as provided by Section 620.004, approve a   request for state-funded or state-sponsored travel to a state   described by Section 620.002(a).          Sec. 620.004.  EXCEPTIONS. Section 620.003(2) does not   apply to travel that is required for:                (1)  enforcement of this state's law, including   auditing or revenue collection;                (2)  litigation;                (3)  compliance with a contractual obligation incurred   before September 1, 2017;                (4)  compliance with a federal government request to   appear before a committee;                (5)  participation in training or a meeting, if   participation is required by a grant or required to maintain grant   funding;                (6)  completion of job training necessary to maintain a   license or a similar requirement to hold a position, if the training   is not available in this state or a state to which Section   620.002(a) does not apply; or                (7)  the protection of public health, welfare, or   safety as determined by the state agency.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.