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Senate committee advances law to limit subpoenas of sermons in civil cases; critics warn about scope
Summary
SB 541 would bar state or local civil subpoenas for sermons or religious works except for terrorism-related investigations; sponsors say it protects free exercise, while critics and some senators warned definitions could be abused; committee passed the bill by a 5–3 roll call.
Senator Centra Garner told the Senate Judiciary Committee that SB 541 would prevent state or local civil subpoenas of sermons and similar religious works, citing a Texas episode in which local authorities sought pastors' sermons as an intimidation tactic. "This will prevent a religious leader... from having to produce their sermons or other religious works or testify on…
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