LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION March 23, 2021 TO: Honorable Chris Paddie, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB525 by Shaheen (Relating to the protection of religious organizations.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Government Code by adding Chapter 2401, relating to the protection of religious organizations. The bill would prohibit a governmental entity from prohibiting a religious organization from engaging in religious and other related activities at any time, including during a declared state of disaster. The bill would waive governmental and sovereign immunity. The bill would authorize the attorney general to bring an action for injunctive or declaratory relief against a governmental entity or an office or employee of a governmental entity to enforce compliance. It is assumed that the costs associated with the bill's provisions could be absorbed using existing resources. Local Government ImpactNo significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: b > td > 212 Office of Court Admin, 300 Trusteed Programs - Gov, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 537 State Health Services LBB Staff: b > td > JMc, SMAT, SD, BRI, AF LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION March 23, 2021 TO: Honorable Chris Paddie, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB525 by Shaheen (Relating to the protection of religious organizations.), As Introduced TO: Honorable Chris Paddie, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB525 by Shaheen (Relating to the protection of religious organizations.), As Introduced Honorable Chris Paddie, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs Honorable Chris Paddie, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board HB525 by Shaheen (Relating to the protection of religious organizations.), As Introduced HB525 by Shaheen (Relating to the protection of religious organizations.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Government Code by adding Chapter 2401, relating to the protection of religious organizations. The bill would prohibit a governmental entity from prohibiting a religious organization from engaging in religious and other related activities at any time, including during a declared state of disaster. The bill would waive governmental and sovereign immunity. The bill would authorize the attorney general to bring an action for injunctive or declaratory relief against a governmental entity or an office or employee of a governmental entity to enforce compliance. It is assumed that the costs associated with the bill's provisions could be absorbed using existing resources. The bill would amend the Government Code by adding Chapter 2401, relating to the protection of religious organizations. The bill would prohibit a governmental entity from prohibiting a religious organization from engaging in religious and other related activities at any time, including during a declared state of disaster. The bill would waive governmental and sovereign immunity. The bill would authorize the attorney general to bring an action for injunctive or declaratory relief against a governmental entity or an office or employee of a governmental entity to enforce compliance. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: b > td > 212 Office of Court Admin, 300 Trusteed Programs - Gov, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 537 State Health Services 212 Office of Court Admin, 300 Trusteed Programs - Gov, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 537 State Health Services LBB Staff: b > td > JMc, SMAT, SD, BRI, AF JMc, SMAT, SD, BRI, AF