The Senate Committee on State Affairs met on Monday June 12 to take up the agenda here. This report covers SB 17 (Parker), SB 9 (King), and SB 19 (Middleton). A video archive of the hearing can be found here.
This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer.
SB 17 (Parker): Relating to the right of a public-school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty
- Allows a public-school employee to express their religious freedom either in speech or prayer while on duty
- Zaffirini – noted last session she supported the bill until amendments were added, will floor amendments be allowed that would change the bill this time?
- No
Jonathan Covey, Texas Values- For
- Codifies school personnel to express religiosity while on duty
- Culturally, traditional religion (Christianity) has been considered a poison while other religions have been tolerated or even pushed
Shawna Hall Lacona, Self – For
- Testified in support of the bill
SB 17 was voted out of committee and sent to Local & Consent Calendars (9-0)
SB 9 (King): Relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms
- This is a replica bill of SB 1515 from the 88th Regular Session
- This is constitutional because of the overrule of the Lemon Test in the Supreme Court case Kennedy v Bremerton School District
David Hacker, First Liberty- For
- The first ever textbook in public schools asked questions about the Ten Commandments
- Parker – Do you know the year?
- 1690
David Barton, Self – For
- The book, “History of the United States,” by Noah Webster is one of the oldest school textbooks that is based off principles of the Ten Commandments
- Bettencourt – Do you remember the year it was published?
- 1832
Jonathan Covey, Texas Values- For
- Mentioned if you grew up in school before the 1980’s you probably saw the Ten Commandments in the classroom
Shawna Hall Lacona, Self – For
- Testified in support of the bill
SB 9 was voted out of committee (7-2)
SB 19 (Middleton): Relating to a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text in public schools
- This bill expands religious liberties in our public schools
- The framework requires signing a consent form and it taking place away from people that don’t consent to prayer or the reading of religious texts
- This bill doesn’t replace class time but allows time to express religion
- Things went downhill after prayer was taken away in schools
- The founding fathers didn’t want there to be a separation of God and government
- The American Atheists organization sent a letter against this bill
Jonathan Covey, Texas Values- For
- This bill expands religious liberties
- This bill allows people to express their religion
- School isn’t God free zones
Shawna Hall Lacona, Self – For
- Testified in support of the bill
SB 19 was voted out of committee (7-2)