By: Patrick S.J.R. No. 49
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment relating to an individual's or
a religious organization's free exercise of religion.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 6, Article I, Texas Constitution, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 6. (a) All men have a natural and indefeasible right
to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own
consciences. No man shall be compelled to attend, erect or support
any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry against his
consent. No human authority ought, in any case whatever, to control
or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion,
and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious
society or mode of worship.
(b) The government may not, directly, indirectly, or
incidentally, substantially burden an individual's or a religious
organization's conduct that is based on a sincerely held religious
belief, unless the government is: (i) acting to further a
compelling governmental interest, and (ii) using the least
restrictive available means to do so.
(c) But it shall be the duty of the Legislature to pass such
laws as may be necessary to protect equally every religious
denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public
worship.
SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2011.
The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment relating to an
individual's or a religious organization's free exercise of
religion."