87R1634 YDB-D
 
  By: Tinderholt H.B. No. 1691
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the protection of religious freedoms and religious
  institutions during a declared state of disaster.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 418.0125 to read as follows:
         Sec. 418.0125.  LIMITATIONS ON EXECUTIVE ORDERS. The
  governor may not issue an executive order, proclamation, or
  regulation related to a declared state of disaster that:
               (1)  restricts the free exercise of religion protected
  under Chapter 110, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, or other state
  or federal law;
               (2)  prohibits or limits a religious service conducted
  in a house of worship by a religious organization established to
  support and serve the propagation of a sincerely held religious
  belief; or
               (3)  limits the operation or operational hours of a
  religious organization established to support and serve the
  propagation of a sincerely held religious belief.
         SECTION 2.  Section 418.108, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (j) to read as follows:
         (j)  The presiding officer of the governing body of a
  political subdivision may not issue an order or proclamation
  related to a declared local state of disaster that:
               (1)  restricts the free exercise of religion protected
  under Chapter 110, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, or other state
  or federal law;
               (2)  prohibits or limits a religious service conducted
  in a house of worship by a religious organization established to
  support and serve the propagation of a sincerely held religious
  belief; or
               (3)  limits the operation or operational hours of a
  religious organization established to support and serve the
  propagation of a sincerely held religious belief.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.