Louisiana 2020 1st Special Session

Louisiana House Bill HR6 Latest Draft

Bill / Enrolled Version

                            ENROLLED
2020 First Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 6
BY REPRESENTATIVES MCCORMICK, AMEDEE, ADAMS, BACALA, BAGLEY,
BUTLER, CARRIER, CORMIER, COUSSAN, CREWS, DEVILLIER,
DUBUISSON, EDMONDS, EDMONSTON, EMERSON, FARNUM, FIRMENT,
FONTENOT, GADBERRY, HARRIS, HODGES, HORTON, MIKE JOHNSON,
MACK, MCFARLAND, NELSON, CHARLES OWEN, PRESSLY, RISER,
ROMERO, SCHAMERHORN, SEABAUGH, THOMAS, WHEAT, AND WRIGHT
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the governor to ensure that the right to individual liberty, the right to
freedom of religion, and the right of the citizens of Louisiana to peaceably assemble
are protected at all times without restriction.
WHEREAS, the importance of protecting religious freedom is recognized in the
Preamble to the Constitution of Louisiana by providing that "We, the people of Louisiana,
grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political, economic, and religious liberties we enjoy,
and desiring to protect individual rights to life, liberty, and property"; and
WHEREAS, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of Louisiana further recognizes
the importance of protecting religious freedom by providing that "No law shall be enacted
respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"; and
WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 5(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana provides that
the governor shall "faithfully support the constitution and laws of the state and of the United
States and shall see that the laws are faithfully executed"; and
WHEREAS, during the 2010 Regular Session of the Legislature, Act No. 793 was
enacted into law providing for the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, R.S. 13:5231
through 5242; and
WHEREAS, R.S. 13:5232(1) provides that the free exercise of religion is a
fundamental right of the highest order in this state; and
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WHEREAS, R.S. 13:5232(3) and (4) provide that it was the intent of the legislature
and the people of Louisiana in 1974 to provide the same level of protection for an action of
the government that explicitly burdened religious exercise as for an action that indirectly
burdened religious exercise through its effect.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the governor to ensure that the
religious liberty and right to assemble without restriction of Louisiana citizens be protected
at all times, including during states of emergency.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature
of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the governor not to authorize, restrict, or
otherwise impose a penalty for individuals who wish to assemble for religious purposes,
according to their constitutionally-bestowed rights and liberties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature
of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the governor to give absolute assurance to the
people of this state that their religious liberties will be protected at all times, including
during states of emergencies.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
governor.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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