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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the protection of religious freedoms and religious |
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institutions during a declared state of disaster. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 418, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 418.0125 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 418.0125. LIMITATIONS ON EXECUTIVE ORDERS. The |
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governor may not issue an executive order, proclamation, or |
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regulation related to a declared state of disaster that: |
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(1) restricts the free exercise of religion protected |
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under Chapter 110, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, or other state |
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or federal law; |
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(2) prohibits or limits a religious service conducted |
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in a house of worship by a religious organization established to |
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support and serve the propagation of a sincerely held religious |
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belief; or |
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(3) limits the operation or operational hours of a |
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religious organization established to support and serve the |
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propagation of a sincerely held religious belief. |
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SECTION 2. Section 418.108, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (j) to read as follows: |
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(j) The presiding officer of the governing body of a |
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political subdivision may not issue an order or proclamation |
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related to a declared local state of disaster that: |
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(1) restricts the free exercise of religion protected |
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under Chapter 110, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, or other state |
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or federal law; |
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(2) prohibits or limits a religious service conducted |
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in a house of worship by a religious organization established to |
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support and serve the propagation of a sincerely held religious |
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belief; or |
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(3) limits the operation or operational hours of a |
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religious organization established to support and serve the |
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propagation of a sincerely held religious belief. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |