Signed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits government action against businesses that donate to religious organizations.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any government entity from taking adverse action against a business or religious organization that disallows a tax deduction for any charitable contribution, withholds, reduces, excludes, terminates, or otherwise denies access to a charitable fundraising campaign (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the attorney general to intervene and bring action for injunctive or declaratory relief against a governmental entity or an officer or employee of a government entity to enforce compliance of this act (Sec. 1).

• Defines “adverse action” as any action taken by a governmental entity to withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise deny any grant, contract, loan, scholarship, license, registration, or employment provided under a benefit program (Sec. 1).

• Defines “benefit program” as any program administered or funded by a governmental entity or federal agency that provides assistance in the form of payments, grants, loans, or loan guarantees (Sec. 1).

• Defines “government entity” as a board, commission, council, department, or other agency in the executive branch of state government that is created by the state constitution or a statute (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits government action against businesses that donate to religious organizations.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any government entity from taking adverse action against a business or religious organization that disallows a tax deduction for any charitable contribution, withholds, reduces, excludes, terminates, or otherwise denies access to a charitable fundraising campaign (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the attorney general to intervene and bring action for injunctive or declaratory relief against a governmental entity or an officer or employee of a government entity to enforce compliance of this act (Sec. 1).

• Defines “adverse action” as any action taken by a governmental entity to withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise deny any grant, contract, loan, scholarship, license, registration, or employment provided under a benefit program (Sec. 1).

• Defines “benefit program” as any program administered or funded by a governmental entity or federal agency that provides assistance in the form of payments, grants, loans, or loan guarantees (Sec. 1).

• Defines “government entity” as a board, commission, council, department, or other agency in the executive branch of state government that is created by the state constitution or a statute (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text