We need your help to get religious liberty and protection of marriage bills across the finish line to a vote in the Texas House and Senate. We do not have much time left. The Texas Legislature will only be in session for three more weeks, and we must act now.
- Please send an e-mail to each of the Calendars Committee members listed below on these four bills with the simple message I have outlined.
- If you are unable to e-mail each of the members, please at least e-mail the Chair, Todd Hunter.
- Please notify as many people as you know who would help us.
- Also, there is one final, but extremely important action at the bottom of the page on SB 1155.
HB 4105 by Rep. Cecil Bell (R-District 3), relating to the funding, issuing, and litigation of certain marriage licenses – marriage licenses being issued for one man, one woman only. This bill affirms our existing law and also defunds same-sex marriage.
Action Item: Send e-mail to House Calendars Chair and members with subject line, “Please PASS HB 4105 out of Calendars.”
HB 3567 by Rep. Scott Sanford (R-District 70), this bill will protect a pastor’s religious liberty so they can solemnize a marriage without violating their sincerely held religious beliefs.
Action Items: Send e-mail to House Calendars Chair and members with subject line, “Please pass HB 3567 out of Calendars.” The senate version of this bill is SB 2065. Please contact your state senator and in the subject line, or on the phone, “Please support and pass SB 2065.” If you are unsure who your state senator is, you can go to this link and type your information in the box, “Who Represents Me?”
HB 3864 by Scott Sanford, protecting religious liberties and rights of conscience for faith-based foster/adoption agencies.
Action Items: Send e-mail to House Calendars Chair and members with subject line, “Please pass HB 3864 out of Calendars”. The senate version of this bill is SB 1935, and we need to contact the chair of Health & Human Services, Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-District 5) at Charles.Schwertner@senate.state.tx.us or 512-463-0105, and say, “Please hold a hearing on SB 1935 which will protect our faith-based foster/adopt agencies.”
HB 562 by Rep. Jeff Leach (R-District 67), “American Law for American Courts.” This bill says that if an issue comes before a court on the dissolution of marriage or custody of a child and involved is a contract or provision from a foreign government, and this would violate American law according to our Constitution, the Judge must rule in favor of American law.
Action Items: Send e-mail to House Calendars Chair and members with subject line, “Please pass HB 562 out of Calendars.” The senate version for this bill is SB 531, and we need an e-mail to the Chair of the Senate State Affairs Committee, Sen. Joan Huffman (R-District 17) at joan.huffman@senate.state.tx.us with a subject line of “Please pass SB 531 out of committee.”
HOUSE CALENDARS COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Chair: Rep. Todd Hunter (R-District 32) – (512) 463-0672, todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Eddie Lucio III (D-District 38) – eddie.lucio_iii@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Roberto R. Alonzo (D-District 104) – roberto.alonzo@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Byron Cook (R-District 8) – byron.cook@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Sarah Davis (R-District 134) – sarah.davis@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Charlie Geren (R-District 89) – charlie.geren@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Helen Giddings (D-District 109) – helen.giddings@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Patricia Harless (R-District 126) – patricia.harless@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Dan Huberty (R-District 127) – dan.huberty@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Eric Johnson (D-District 100) – eric.johnson@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Ken King (R-District 88) – ken.king@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Lyle Larson (R-District 122) – lyle.larson@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Four Price (R-District 87) – four.price@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-District 150) – debbie.riddle@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-District 51) – eddie.rodriguez@house.state.tx.us
Finally, and this is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, SB 1155 would prohibit a county, municipality, or other political subdivision from creating new protected classes that are not defined by state law. This bill would prevent what we have seen occur in Plano, Houston, and San Antonio where there have been city ordinances passed regarding the use of bathroom and dressing room facilities by the opposite sex, challenges to people of faith regarding their beliefs about sexual orientation and gender identity, etc.
Action items: Please contact Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at 512-463-0001 and at dan.patrick@gov.state.tx.us and simply say, “Please hold a hearing on SB 1155.”
Please also e-mail the Chair of the Senate State Affairs Committee, Sen. Joan Huffman (R-District 17) at joan.huffman@senate.state.tx.us with a subject line of “Please hold a hearing on SB 1155.”
***Please pray for the success of each one of these bills. Pray for each legislator as you contact him/her. Pray the Lord will open their eyes and give them courage to do what is right.