Honorable Chris Paddie, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1487 by Dean (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 Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Admin, 300 Trusteed Programs - Gov, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 537 State Health Services