Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries Passed HB707 Religious and charitable matters; property held for religious purposes. Authorizes the court, in cases where a religious congregation has ceased to occupy property as a place of worship, and at the request of the surviving trustees, to make an order to gift such property to any willing local, state or federal entity, or a willing private, nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization, provided the court finds that the property includes a historic landmark or building and the purpose of the gift is historic preservation of the property. The bill has an emergency provision. Patron - May HB1269 Solicitation of contributions; exemptions. Adds community health centers and rural health clinics to the health care institutions exemption from registration requirements by redefining "health care institutions" to include (i) facilities designated by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) as federally qualified health centers or (ii) certified by HCFA as rural health clinics. The exemption currently applies to health care institutions granted tax exempt status under § 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and any supporting organizations. This bill also contains technical amendments. This bill is identical to SB 512; however, the versions vary in technical amendments made. Patron - Crittenden SB512 Solicitation of contributions; exemptions. Adds community health centers and rural health clinics to the health care institutions exemption from registration requirements by redefining "health care institutions" to include (i) facilities designated by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) as federally qualified health centers or (ii) certified by HCFA as rural health clinics. The exemption currently applies to health care institutions granted tax exempt status under § 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and any supporting organizations. This bill is identical in substance to HB 1269; however, the versions vary in technical amendments made. This bill is identical to HB 1269. Patron - Lambert Failed HB668 Religious and charitable matters; protection of religious freedom. Provides that the government shall not substantially burden the exercise of a person's religious belief, even if that burden results from a rule of general application, unless the government proves by clear and convincing evidence that the application of the burden is the least restrictive means to achieve a compelling governmental interest. "Government" as defined under the bill includes state and local governments and officials acting under color of state law. The bill also provides that a person whose religious exercise has been burdened may assert that violation as a claim or defense in any judicial or administrative proceeding and that if he prevails, shall recover reasonable costs and attorney's fees. Incorporated in HB 1. Patron - Plum Carried Over HB1 Religious and charitable matters; religious freedom preserved. Provides that no government entity shall substantially burden a person's free exercise of religion except if (i) the government entity proves that application of the restriction to the person is essential to further a compelling governmental interest and (ii) the proposed action is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. "Government entity" as defined under the bill includes state and local governments and those officials acting under color of state law. The bill provides that a person whose exercise of religious freedom has been burdened may assert a claim of violation in a judicial proceeding and the court may grant appropriate relief, including attorney's fees. Patron - McEachin < PREVIOUS | CONTENTS | NEXT >