Bill Text: TX HB1691 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the protection of religious freedoms and religious institutions during a declared state of disaster.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 20-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-25 - Left pending in committee [HB1691 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HB1691-Introduced.html
87R1634 YDB-D | ||
By: Tinderholt | H.B. No. 1691 |
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relating to the protection of religious freedoms and religious | ||
institutions during a declared state of disaster. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 418, Government Code, is | ||
amended by adding Section 418.0125 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 418.0125. LIMITATIONS ON EXECUTIVE ORDERS. The | ||
governor may not issue an executive order, proclamation, or | ||
regulation related to a declared state of disaster that: | ||
(1) restricts the free exercise of religion protected | ||
under Chapter 110, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, or other state | ||
or federal law; | ||
(2) prohibits or limits a religious service conducted | ||
in a house of worship by a religious organization established to | ||
support and serve the propagation of a sincerely held religious | ||
belief; or | ||
(3) limits the operation or operational hours of a | ||
religious organization established to support and serve the | ||
propagation of a sincerely held religious belief. | ||
SECTION 2. Section 418.108, Government Code, is amended by | ||
adding Subsection (j) to read as follows: | ||
(j) The presiding officer of the governing body of a | ||
political subdivision may not issue an order or proclamation | ||
related to a declared local state of disaster that: | ||
(1) restricts the free exercise of religion protected | ||
under Chapter 110, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, or other state | ||
or federal law; | ||
(2) prohibits or limits a religious service conducted | ||
in a house of worship by a religious organization established to | ||
support and serve the propagation of a sincerely held religious | ||
belief; or | ||
(3) limits the operation or operational hours of a | ||
religious organization established to support and serve the | ||
propagation of a sincerely held religious belief. | ||
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |