That is what happened in Alabama, which on Wednesday passed the nation’s most restrictive measure, effectively banning abortion unless a woman’s health is at “serious” risk. The president of the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition, Eric Johnston, who calls himself an abortion purist, felt the slew of anti-abortion legislation that has been approved by other states in recent months did not go far enough.

[Alabama passed one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion laws. Here’s what happens next.]

This included even the so-called fetal heartbeat bills, which outlaw abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, when an ultrasound may be able to detect the pulsing of what will become the fetus’s heart. Even in cases of rape and incest the fetus must always be the primary concern, he said, but not if the mother’s life is in danger.

Last summer, as the Senate prepared to confirm Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, Mr. Johnston, 72, saw an opportunity. After years of pushing various abortion restrictions, he began to write a bill for his most restrictive one yet. His language became central to the final law.

The Supreme Court may decide not to take any abortion cases. But Mr. Johnston and other activists channeling the movement’s energy say this is the closest they have ever come to a perfect shot.

“All the stars were lining up,” he said. “I thought, This may be the best time to do it.”

Activists in Utah say that strategy never would have worked in their state, even though they applaud Alabama’s boldness. Mary Taylor, who leads ProLife Utah, said she felt “envious” watching other states pass anti-abortion bills. The Utah Legislature is a bit more cautious, she said, and so her coalition decided to push the 18-week ban instead of others that would go into effect around six weeks.

Still, the surge of proposals across the country have helped her brainstorm more of her own for the next legislative session. Sometimes she talks with friends she has met over the years, like Ms. Liebel. But a simple newspaper article about another state’s strategy is often enough to generate a new idea, and a phone call to a new ally about how to proceed.