84R3777 SCL-D
By: Riddle H.J.R. No. 65
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the prohibition of
government interference with certain speech by religious leaders
and students.
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 of this state or a political subdivision
of this state may not control or interfere with:
(1) any political speech expressed by a religious
leader in a house of worship; or
(2) a student's voluntary expression of a religious
viewpoint at a school event or graduation ceremony.
(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 3, 2015.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment relating to the
prohibition of government interference with certain political
speech by religious leaders and certain religious expression by
students."