COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION



FISCAL NOTE



L.R. No.: 1447-01

Bill No.: Perfected SB 337

Subject: Political Subdivisions: Religion

Type: Original

Date: May 1, 2001




FISCAL SUMMARY



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

State Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

Federal Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004
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.



FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 2002

(10 Mo.)

FY 2003 FY 2004
$0 $0 $0



FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 2002

(10 Mo.)

FY 2003 FY 2004
$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 were in the form a rule of general applicability and did not discriminate against religion or among religions and it furthered a compelling governmental interest in the least restrictive way.



This proposal would apply to all state and local laws, resolutions and ordinances adopted before or 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



State Courts Administrator











Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

May 1, 2001