TITLE: Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to an individual's or a religious organization's free exercise of religion.

SUMMARY: Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to an individual's or a religious organization's free exercise of religion.

FULL TEXT:
82(R) SJR 49-Introduced version-Bill Text By: Patrick S.J.R. No. 49 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION proposing a constitutional amendment relating to an individual's or a religious organization's free exercise of religion. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 6, Article I, Texas Constitution, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 6. ( a ) All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences. No man shall be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry against his consent. No human authority ought, in any case whatever, to control or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion, and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious society or mode of worship. (b) The government may not, directly, indirectly, or incidentally, substantially burden an individual's or a religious organization's conduct that is based on a sincerely held religious belief, unless the government is: (i) acting to further a compelling governmental interest, and (ii) using the least restrictive available means to do so. (c) But it shall be the duty of the Legislature to pass such laws as may be necessary to protect equally every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship. SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2011. The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment relating to an individual's or a religious organization's free exercise of religion."