84R340 SCL-F
By: Krause H.J.R. No. 125
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment relating to a person'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 state or a county, municipality, or other political
subdivision of the state, including a department, agency, or
instrumentality of the state or of a political subdivision of the
state, may not burden in any way a person's free exercise of
religion unless the burden is:
(1) necessary to further a compelling governmental
interest; and
(2) the least restrictive means of furthering that
interest.
(c) A homeowners' association may not burden in any way a
person's free exercise of religion unless the burden is:
(1) necessary to further a compelling
quasi-governmental interest of the homeowners' association; and
(2) the least restrictive means of furthering that
interest.
(d) 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 3, 2015.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment relating to a person's
free exercise of religion."