Governor Abbott Vetoes SB 1912 (85R)
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto Senate Bill No. 1912 as passed by the Eighty-Fifth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:
Parts of Senate Bill 1912 are beneficial, but other parts go too far in expanding government. The law already mandates that courts appoint attorneys to represent defendants in cases where the government seeks court-ordered mental health services. Permanent new government offices dedicated to this function are unnecessary. Private attorneys are capable of handling these cases without the expense of a new county bureaucracy.
Since the Eighty-Fifth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the Secretary of State and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this 15th day of June, 2017.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor of Texas