Although the concern over protecting lawyers’ “sincerely held religious beliefs” became a focal point as the Texas House debated the State Bar of Texas sunset bill during a tense session Monday, the bill ultimately cleared the House and they sent it back to the Senate on a 125-21 vote.

“I do not believe we can go too far in this body in ensuring that the First Amendment rights of Texans are protected,” Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, said during the debate over an amendment to S.B. 302.