Honorable Bryan Hughes, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB26 by Paxton (relating to the prohibited suspension of laws protecting religious freedom and prohibited closure of places of worship.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to prohibit a government agency or public official from issuing an order that closes or has the effect of closing places of worship in Texas or in a geographic area of the state. The bill would also provide that a person whose free exercise of religion has been substantially burdened in violation of the new prohibition may assert that violation as a defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding without regard to whether the proceeding is brought in the name of the state or by any other person.
According to the Office of Court Administration, no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.