Bills › 90th General Assembly
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 20, 2023
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 20, 2023
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2024 session adjourned on April 19, 2024, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill prohibits a governmental entity from substantially burdening a person’s free exercise of religion. The bill prohibits governmental entities from treating religious conduct more restrictively than any secular conduct of reasonably comparable risk or treating religious conduct more restrictively than comparable secular conduct because of alleged economic need or benefit. Under current law, a court is not required to apply heightened scrutiny when reviewing a law that burdens a person’s exercise of religion when such law is generally applicable.
Read the full explanation
The bill provides that a court shall apply the compelling governmental interest test set forth in Sherbert v. 398 (1963), and Wisconsin v. 205 (1972), in such cases, so that the government cannot substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion unless the government demonstrates that applying the law of general applicability is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. The bill provides that a person whose exercise of religion has been substantially burdened by the government may assert such violation as a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding, and provides that the governmental entity may be liable for actual damages, attorney fees, costs, and other appropriate remedies. The bill also allows the person to obtain injunctive relief against the governmental entity. The bill prohibits a county or city from enacting a private or civil law that would burden a person’s free exercise of religion in violation of the bill. The bill takes effect upon enactment and applies to all state and local laws.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
Senate subcommittee
Named February 20, 2023. It hasn’t reported yet.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Iowa Code it changes
Creates§675.1§675.2§675.3§675.4
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
7 for · 10 against · 4 undecided · Who →
Similar bills
- HF 2454 Relating to the exercise of religion, and including effective date and applicability provi…90th General Assembly · WithdrawnNearly identical
Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.