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



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

State Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

Federal Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
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.

FISCAL ANALYSIS



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