Three bills introduced in the Kentucky legislature aim to protect religious freedom. State Sen. Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon) is proposing to allow churches to build affordable housing units on their own property. Church buildings are used once, maybe twice per week and Kentucky has a shortage in affordable housing. His bill (SB 59) would provide more housing for those in need and give churches another way to serve their communities. State Rep. James Tipton (R-Taylorsville) is proposing to exempt churches from state sales tax. There is never a case where churches should be tax collectors for the state and his bill (HB 37) fixes this. State Sen. Steve Rawlings is proposing a bill (SB 60) to make it more consequential for the government to encroach on religious freedom by broadening the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Commonwealth Policy Center