87R1634 YDB-D
By: Tinderholt H.B. No. 1691
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
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.