Bill
HF 280
Prohibits the governor from closing, mandating, or regulating any place of worship during disasters or public health emergencies.
HF 280 (2025) — Summary
Overview
- Bill number and title (conflict noted): HF 280 is labeled as “Lake County; woodworking program funding provided, and money appropriated,” but the introduced text actually creates restrictions on how the governor can interact with places of worship during emergencies.
- Status and action: Introduced and given first reading on February 10, 2025; referred to Judiciary and Legacy Finance (listed actions show both referrals). Companion Senate bill is SF 1637.
- Classification/subject: Classified as a bill in the Arts, Counties-Specific category; the displayed content focuses on religious liberty and emergency powers rather than woodworking funding.
- Sponsors: A broad list of primary sponsors including Thomson, Andrews, Gearhart, Holt, Jeneary, Hayes, Kaufmann, Golding, Boden, Wills, Thompson, Wheeler, Fisher, Wengryn, Graber, Young, Gerhold, and Dieken.
What the bill would do
- Prohibition on governor actions regarding worship: The bill provides that the governor may not close, mandate, or regulate any place or practice of worship for any reason, including during a disaster emergency (chapter 29C) or a public health disaster (section 135.144).
- Definition of “place of worship”: A building in which an active congregation is devoted to worship.
- Legal orientation: The prohibition is stated to be “Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary,” signaling a preemption against existing emergency powers that could affect worship facilities.
Key provisions (as surfaced in Section 7.19)
- Section 7.19 introduces a new regulation that restricts the governor’s authority over places of worship during emergencies.
- The prohibition applies to all orders, mandates, or other regulatory actions affecting worship or worship spaces.
- The explanatory text reiterates the prohibition and defines “place of worship.”
Who would be affected
- Places of worship (as defined by the bill): The ban would constrain executive actions affecting worship spaces during emergencies.
- The Governor and state emergency powers: Limits on the governor’s authority related to worship during disasters or public health emergencies.
- Public health and disaster authorities: Potentially constrained in applying emergency orders to religious facilities.
Procedural and timeline notes
- Introduction date: February 10, 2025.
- Initial readings/referrals: Judiciary and Legacy Finance (as listed in actions). Companion Senate bill SF 1637 exists.
- No explicit funding or woodworking program provisions are evident in the introduced text; the bill’s presented content focuses on worship regulation.
Notes and considerations
- Discrepancy: The bill’s title references Lake County woodworking program funding, but the introduced content centers on prohibiting governor-regulation of places of worship. Readers should verify the intended scope and any amendments or related fiscal provisions that may address woodworking funding.
- Potential questions: How does this interact with existing public safety and health orders? Are there carve-outs for safety, code compliance, or congregational health concerns? What is the effective date and any sunset provisions?
Related bill
- SF 1637 (companion) in the Senate.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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