Local Legislators File Bills to Make Texas Churches “Essential” During Times of Emergency If passed in the House and the Senate, Texans will have the opportunity to vote to approve the act in November Published January 26, 2021 • Updated on January 26, 2021 at 7:21 am NBC 5 Two North Texas politicians wants to make a new law that would designate all places of worship in the state as essential. State Senator Kelly Hancock (R-Tarrant County) and State Representative Jeff Leach (R- Collin County) have respectively filed SJR 27 and HJR 72, the "Texas Essential Church Act." The proposal to amend the Texas Constitution would prohibit any elected official or any political subdivision of the state from limiting or prohibiting religious services or observances.