By Ellis S.B. No. 1186 75R6165 MWV-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the powers of a judge. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Section 21.001, Government Code, is amended by 1-5 adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: 1-6 (c) During a court proceeding a judge may not request that 1-7 a person remove an item of religious apparel unless: 1-8 (1) a party in the proceeding objects to the wearing 1-9 of the apparel; 1-10 (2) the judge concludes that the wearing of the 1-11 apparel will interfere with: 1-12 (A) the objecting party's right to a fair 1-13 hearing; or 1-14 (B) the proper administration of justice; and 1-15 (3) no reasonable alternative exists under which the 1-16 judge may: 1-17 (A) assure a fair hearing; and 1-18 (B) protect the fair administration of justice. 1-19 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 1-20 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-21 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-22 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-23 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 1-24 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-1 passage, and it is so enacted.