SRC-AXB S.B. 138 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 138 By: Sibley State Affairs 7/9/1999 Enrolled DIGEST In 1993, Congress passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to "restore" certain protections against government infringement upon the free exercise of religion. RFRA mandated that government must have a "compelling interest" before it can place burdens or restrictions on the free exercise of religion. In 1997, the Supreme Court held RFRA unconstitutional in the City of Boerne v. Flores case as to state and local governments. In this case, the city prohibited a church from adding to its building based on city ordinances protecting a historical district. The Supreme Court held that Congress exceeded its authority under the Constitution in adopting RFRA; however, this decision does not affect Texas' ability to enact similar legislation. S.B. 138 prohibits a government agency from substantially burdening a person's free exercise of religion, unless the agency can demonstrate that the burden is the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling governmental interest. PURPOSE As enrolled, S.B. 138 prohibits a government agency from substantially burdening a person's free exercise of religion, and authorizes a government agency to burden a person's free exercise of religion if the agency can demonstrate that the burden is the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling governmental interest. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Title 5, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, by adding Chapter 110, as follows: CHAPTER 110. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Sec. 110.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "free exercise of religion" and "government agency." Requires the court to give weight to a certain interpretation in the process of determining whether an interest is a compelling governmental interest under Section 110.003, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Sec. 110.002. APPLICATION. Provides that this chapter applies to any exercise of governmental authority, acts of a government agency, and each law of this state. Provides that exceptions to the application of this chapter are made only with express reference to this chapter. Sec. 110.003. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM PROTECTED. Prohibits a government agency from burdening a person's free exercise of religion. Authorizes a government agency to burden a person's free exercise of religion if it can demonstrate that the burden is the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling governmental interest. Provides that once the government agency demonstrates that the burden is the least restrictive means to insure compliance, it is not further required to separately punish failure to comply or prove that the specific method of imposing the substantial burden is the least restrictive. Sec. 110.004. DEFENSE. Authorizes a person whose free exercise of religion is burdened in violation of Section 110.003, to assert that violation as a defense in a judicial proceeding. Sec. 110.005. REMEDIES. Entitles any person, other than a government agency, who successfully asserts a claim or defense under this chapter to recover certain reliefs and compensatory monies. Prohibits compensatory damages from exceeding $10,000 for certain controversies, under certain conditions. Clarifies that a claimant is not entitled to recover exemplary damages under this chapter. Requires an action under this section to be brought in a district court. Prohibits a person from bringing an action for certain issues, under certain conditions. Provides that this chapter has no effect on Section 498.0045 or 501.008, Government Code, or Chapter 14, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Sec. 110.006. NOTICE; RIGHT TO ACCOMMODATE. Prohibits a person from bringing an action to assert a claim under this chapter unless the person gives written notice of certain information within a certain timeframe. Authorizes a claimant to bring an action for declaratory or injunctive relief and associated attorney's fees, court costs, and other reasonable expenses, under certain conditions. Authorizes a government agency to remedy the substantial burden on the person's free exercise of religion, under certain circumstances. Sets forth remedy provisions. Prohibits a person whose burden has been cured from bringing an action under Section 110.005, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Sets forth provisions for a person who complies with an inmate grievance system. Requires certain entities to provide certain rationale for imposing a burden. Sec. 110.007. ONE-YEAR LIMITATIONS PERIOD. Requires a person to bring an action to assert a claim within one year after the person knew of the substantial burden on the person's free exercise of religion. Sets forth an extension on the required time period if the notice is mailed. Sec. 110.008. SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY WAIVED. Provides that subject to Section 110.006, sovereign immunity is waived and abolished to the extent of liability created by Section 110.005. Authorizes a claimant to sue a government agency for damages allowed by Section 110.005. Clarifies that this chapter does not waive or abolish sovereign immunity to a suit and from liability under the Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution. Sec. 110.009. EFFECT ON RIGHTS. Clarifies that this chapter does not authorize a government agency to burden a person's free exercise of religion. Provides that this chapter affords additional protection to extant protection of religious freedom. Prohibits this chapter from being construed to affect or interpret Section 4, 5, 6, or 7, Article I, Texas Constitution. Sec. 110.010. APPLICATION TO CERTAIN CASES. Sets forth a municipality's authority regarding the law as interpreted by the federal courts before April 17, 1990. Provides that this chapter does not affect a municipality's authority to take certain actions regarding the free exercise of religion. Sec. 110.011. CIVIL RIGHTS. Provides that this chapter does not establish or eliminate a defense to a civil action or criminal prosecution under a federal or state civil rights law. Sets forth the application of this chapter to certain claims. Sets forth elements that define a religious organization. Sec. 110.012. GRANT TO RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION NOT AFFECTED. Provides that this chapter does not affect the grant or denial of benefits or a tax exemption to a religious organization. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 61G, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 61.097, as follows: Sec. 61.097. APPLICATION OF LAW RELATING TO FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION. Sets forth provisions which are presumed to be in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. Authorizes the rebuttal of the presumption. SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 76, Government Code, by adding Section 76.018, as follows: Sec. 76.018. APPLICATION OF LAW RELATING TO FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 4. Amends Chapter 493, Government Code, by adding Section 493.023, as follows: Sec. 493.023. APPLICATION OF LAW RELATING TO FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 5. Amends Chapter 361, Local Government Code, by adding Subchapter G, as follows: SUBCHAPTER G. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Sec. 361.101. APPLICATION OF LAW RELATING TO FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 6. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 7.Emergency clause. Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.