The Texas House has preliminarily passed HB2462, according to reporting from Jezebel and the Texas Tribune, granting all mothers—including expecting mothers—use of the high occupancy vehicle lanes in the state even if they are the only person in the vehicle. Authored and introduced by Plano Republican Jeff Leach, the bill was initially developed as a way to enshrine fetal personhood in state law, as its coverage was limited to pregnant women. Austin-area Democrat Gina Hinojosa took the opportunity to expand the bill to cover "female operators of a motor vehicle who is pregnant or is a parent or legal guardian of another person."
In July 2022, weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal case legalizing access to abortion, Roe v. Wade, a 34-weeks pregnant Brandy Bottone of Plano, Tex. was ticketed for driving in the HOV lane without a passenger, twice. Her argument for doing so was that under Texas' new abortion legislation, her unborn fetus was the passenger she needed to comply with HOV lane regulations. A staunchly anti-choice Rep. Leach took the viral legal battle as a rallying cry, introducing this bill to the chamber. Leach said the bill "elevates motherhood" and he hopes it will continue Texas' commitment to "promote a culture of life." When the amendment to include all mothers was proposed on the floor Leach admitted he'd welcome it, adding "I think HOV lanes are stupid anyway."
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