COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. NO.: 2435-01
BILL NO.: SB 551
SUBJECT: Religion: Governments
TYPE: Original
DATE: January 18, 2000
FISCAL SUMMARY
FUND AFFECTED | FY 2001 | FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
FUND AFFECTED | FY 2001 | FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
FUND AFFECTED | FY 2001 | FY 2002 | FY 2003 |
Local Government | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses
This fiscal note contains 3 pages.
ASSUMPTION
Representatives of the Office of State Courts Administrator would expect a few cases to test the parameters of the proposal but would not expect a material impact on the workload of state courts.
Officials from the State Public Defender and the Office of Prosecution Services indicated that the proposal would not directly affect prosecutors or public defenders.
FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
(10 Mo.)
0 0 0
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
(10 Mo.)
0 0 0
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
This proposal would require that a test of compelling state interest be applied to all state and local laws in cases which would affect the exercise of religion. No law or regulation could restrict a person's free exercise of religion unless it is in the form a rule of general applicability and does not discriminate against religion or among religions and it furthers a compelling governmental interest in the least restrictive way.
This proposal would apply to all state and local laws, resolutions and ordinances adopted before of after the effective date of this proposal.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space. The proposal would not affect Total State Revenues.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Office of Prosecution Services
State Courts Administrator
State Public Defender
Jeanne Jarrett, CPA
Director
January 18, 2000