THE WOODLANDS, TX (KTRK/CNN) - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law Sunday a bill that prevents state and local governments from issuing subpoenas for religious sermons.
The signing took place at Grace Church in The Woodlands.
The church's pastor was one of several faith leaders whose sermons were subpoenaed by the City of Houston over the Hero Ordinance in 2014.
The pastors said their religious rights were violated, and the subpoena was withdrawn. Some protesters gathered outside the church to criticize Abbott for holding a political event in a house of worship.
They claim that violates the separation of church and state.
The law goes into effect immediately.
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