House substitute for church-protection bill adopted and advanced after debate on scope and risk of overreach

Representative Barnes presented HB 363 as a measure to protect churches from outside disruptions and disorder. He told the committee the bill "stops the interruption from outside entities from coming into the church and causing damage, harassment, disorderly conduct, riot," and said the substitute largely mirrored the original bill while adding civil remedies beginning near line 101.

Committee members debated the bill’s scope. A member of the committee warned the bill "moves far too close to the arc to a theocracy" and called it a form of "virtue signaling," saying the chamber should not preemptively legislate for a problem the state does not have. That committee member said the legislation could impinge on varied forms of worship.

Senator Albrecht pushed back, saying violent incidents in other states — including an attack in Minnesota — demonstrate a need for preventive measures. "An individual simply rammed the truck in, and attacked with gasoline, and gunfire," Albrecht said, arguing some measures could prevent harm.

The committee adopted the substitute and then voted to give the bill a favorable report. The transcript records the committee announcing the bill "receives a federal report." Representative Barnes said HB 363 is his first bill.

Why it matters: the legislation seeks to criminalize or provide civil recourse for disruptive interventions at houses of worship; supporters frame the bill as a security measure, while critics warn of constitutional and religious-freedom implications if the law is overbroad.

The committee forwarded the bill with a favorable report for further legislative consideration.