| TO: | Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs |
| FROM: | Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SJR4 by Campbell (Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to a person's freedom of religion.), As Introduced |
The cost to the state for publication of the resolution is $108,921.
The resolution would amend the Texas Constitution to prohibit the government from directly or indirectly imposing a burden on a person's or religious organization's freedom of religion. The resolution stipulates that unless the government proves it has a compelling governmental interest, the right to act or refuse to act in a manner motivated by a religious belief may not be burdened by the government. In circumstances where a compelling governmental interest exists, the resolution requires the government to use the least restrictive means to further that interest.
It is anticipated that any costs to implement the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources. If the resolution is passed, the proposed constitutional amendment would be submitted to voters at an election to be held on November 5, 2013.
| Source Agencies: | 302 Office of the Attorney General
|
| LBB Staff: | UP, AG, SD, KJo
|