Bill Protecting Religious Freedom Nearing Law in Texas, by Jody Brown

Since March, lawmakers in Austin and legal groups have been grappling with the City of San Antonio’s refusal to allow Chick-fil-A to operate at the San Antonio Airport. Six members of the city council voted to strip the fast-food chain from a contract that includes other businesses set to operate at the airport, claiming it discriminates against same-sex “marriage” by donating to groups such as The Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

In response, legal groups called on the state legislature to act to protect religious freedom.

Earlier this month, HB 3172 fell victim to a parliamentary maneuver headed up by State Representative Julie Johnson (D), an open lesbian and founding member of the Texas House’s LGBTQ Caucus. The measure sought to prevent government entities from taking adverse actions against businesses or individuals due to their religious beliefs or moral convictions.

But today, SB 1978 – a companion bill – passed the Texas House 79-64 on its third reading, after being approved by the Texas Senate on Thursday on a 19-12 party line vote.

Both HB 3172 and SB 1978 were filed in early March – before the action taken by the San Antonio city council.

After the Senate approves an amendment added by the House, the measure will head to Governor Greg Abbott. He is expected to sign it.

https://onenewsnow.com/legal-courts/2019/05/21/bill-protecting-religious-freedom-nearing-law-in-texas