Constitutional Protection for Churches

Perhaps one of the biggest wins this session was the passing of my proposed constitutional amendment, SJR 27. This amendment, which will be offered in a statewide proposition election in November, will prohibit state and local governments from ever closing our churches or houses of worship.

Religious services in Texas were designated as essential throughout the COVID-19 crisis. However, in some instances, political subdivisions attempted to force parishes and places of worship to shut down or placed such severe restrictions on religious gatherings that they were effectively banned.

We must never waver in our commitment to protect the fundamental religious liberties of all Texans – and with the passage of SJR 27, we’ve done just that. In both times of calm and in times of crisis, we shouldn’t limit the Church — we should unleash the Church. And that’s what this Constitutional Amendment achieves.