Honorable Dan Patrick, Lieutenant Governor, Senate
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1978 by Hughes (Relating to the protection of membership in, affiliation with, and support provided to religious organizations.), As Passed 2nd House
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would define adverse action and prohibit a governmental entity from taking any adverse action against any person based wholly or in part on a person's membership in, affiliation with, or contribution, donation, or other support provided to a religious organization. The bill would authorize a person to assert an actual or threatened violation in a judicial or administrative proceeding and obtain injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
The bill would waive sovereign or governmental immunity.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Municipal League, there may be a fiscal impact to cities whenever governmental immunity is waived.
According to the Texas Association of Counties, the costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill cannot be determined, but the bill could result in additional costs to counties incurred as a result of litigation.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General