HBA-LJP H.B. 3548 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3548
By: Chisum
Land & Resource Management
4/18/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

On September 22, 2000, the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized
Persons Act of 2000 was enacted to protect the exercise of religion in
cases where state or local governments seek to impose or implement a zoning
or landmark law that imposes a substantial burden on religious exercise.
Some municipalities in Texas have denied religious organizations permits
for certain religious assemblies because of zoning issues.  House Bill 3548
requires a municipality that permits the exercise of religion or religious
assembly to enforce only the least restrictive site development regulations
of the least restrictive zoning district that allows religious assembly, on
all religious organizations within the municipal boundaries. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3548 amends the Local Government and Civil Practice & Remedies
codes to require a municipality that permits the exercise of religion or
organized religious worship to enforce only the least restrictive site
development regulations of the least restrictive zoning district that
allows religious assembly, on all religious organizations within the
municipal boundaries. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.