Why It Matters
Utah-based federal legislation could reshape the relationship between the federal government and faith-based organizations nationwide. The Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act, introduced by Utah Congressman Blake Moore, would establish legal protections ensuring that churches, charities, and other religious nonprofits cannot be stripped of their tax-exempt status or federal funding eligibility based on their positions on marriage, sexual conduct, or gender identity.
For Utah — one of the most religiously affiliated states in the country — the stakes are particularly high. Faith-based organizations in the state provide a substantial share of charitable services, including health care, housing assistance, and social welfare programs that millions of residents depend on.
What Happened
Congressman Blake Moore introduced the Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act on March 30, 2026. The bill is designed to prevent federal agencies from conditioning tax benefits or funding contracts on a religious organization’s willingness to alter its internal policies regarding marriage, sexual conduct standards, or gender identity.
The legislation would create clear, enforceable federal standards that bar the government from using tax-exempt status or federal funding as leverage to compel faith-based organizations to change their religiously grounded employment or conduct policies.
Moore was joined by seven original co-sponsors from across the country: Representatives David Schweikert (AZ-01), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Ben Cline (VA-06), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), and Burgess Owens (UT-04).
The bill has drawn early support from two prominent national religious bodies. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City, issued a statement endorsing the legislation, saying it “addresses gaps in federal law and affirms the First Amendment’s requirement of equal treatment for religious and secular organizations.” The Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission also expressed support, calling the bill “a necessary remedy to protect religious liberty.”
By the Numbers
- 8 total congressional co-sponsors at introduction, spanning six states
- 2 major national religious organizations have publicly endorsed the legislation
- Billions of dollars in economic contributions are attributed annually to faith-based organizations through health care, housing, and social services, according to Moore’s office
- 3 policy areas — marriage, sexual conduct standards, and gender identity — are explicitly protected under the bill’s language
- Utah ranks among the top states in the nation for religious affiliation, with a majority of residents identifying as members of a faith community
Zoom Out
The bill enters a longstanding national debate over the boundaries of religious liberty and anti-discrimination requirements in federally funded programs. Legal tension in this area has grown since the Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, which prompted widespread questions about how faith-based organizations could maintain internal religious standards while remaining eligible for government contracts and tax benefits.
Several states have passed their own versions of religious liberty protections at the state level, including laws that limit government interference with faith-based hiring and operational practices. However, proponents of federal legislation argue that state-level protections are insufficient when federal funding and tax law are involved, and that a uniform national standard is needed.
Critics of similar legislation have argued in the past that such protections could create carve-outs that allow discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in employment and service delivery by publicly funded organizations. That debate is expected to resurface as Moore’s bill advances through Congress.
What’s Next
The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and will be referred to the appropriate committee for review. No committee hearing date has been announced as of publication.
With eight co-sponsors at introduction and backing from two nationally prominent religious organizations, supporters will likely push for hearings and a floor vote during the current congressional session. The bill’s path forward will depend on committee leadership priorities and whether it can attract additional bipartisan support.
Moore’s office has indicated the legislation is intended to complement existing First Amendment protections and close what supporters describe as gaps in current federal law governing the treatment of religious organizations.