LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 87TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 31, 2021

TO:
Honorable Chris Paddie, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
 
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1239 by Sanford (relating to the prohibited suspension of laws protecting religious freedom and prohibited closure of places of worship.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to prohibit a government agency or public official from issuing an order that closes or has the effect of closing places of worship in Texas or in a geographic area of the state. The bill would also provide that a person whose free exercise of religion has been substantially burdened in violation of the new prohibition may assert that violation as a defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding without regard to whether the proceeding is brought in the name of the state or by any other person.

According to the Office of Court Administration, no significant fiscal impact to the state court system is anticipated.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Admin
LBB Staff:
JMc, SMAT, MW, BH