SSB 1164: SSB 1164

What it does

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.

Senate subcommittee · named February 20, 2023

• Sen. Jason Schultz (R) · jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Claire Celsi (D)
• Sen. Sandy Salmon (R) · sandy.salmon@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 7 for, 10 against

For: 1st Amendment Partnership; Informed Choice Iowa; Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowans for Medical Marijuana; The Family Leader; The Family Leader Foundation

Against: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers; Iowa Chamber Alliance; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; League of Women Voters of Iowa; Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce; One Iowa; One Iowa Action

In plain words

1. February 20, 2023Filed in the Senate and sent to the State Government committee
2. February 20, 2023Senate subcommittee named: Schultz, Celsi and Salmon