According to the Washington Blade, three federal agencies are reviewing HB 1523, Mississippi's overly broad so-called religious freedom bill signed into law by Governor Phil Bryant this week. Spokespersons for Departments of Housing & Urban Development, Health & Human Services, and Transportation have all confirmed that their agencies are now taking a look at the law.
Businesses A Powerful Force In The Fight Against "Religious Freedom" Bills
Jackson City Council Passes Resolution Condemning HB 1523
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed HB 1523 into law Tuesday morning; by the evening, the city council of the state capital had approved a resolution condemning it.
Mississippi's Anti-LGBT Law Draws Outrage Nationwide
In the hours after Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed HB 1523 into law, academics, politicians, celebrities, and companies from all walks of life condemned the action, some even calling for travel bans and boycotts.
Mississippi Governor Signs Overly Broad "Religious Liberty" Bill Into Law
Governor Phil Bryant has signed HB 1532, a bill that could allow a range of individuals; corporations; healthcare providers; and nonprofit organizations—including those that receive taxpayer funding to perform social services—to refuse to provide goods and services to same sex couples; single mothers; divorcees; and anyone who has had sex outside of marriage and their families, into law.
Last Week in Review: March 28 – April 1
Mississippi's "Religious Liberty" Bill Passes House, But Is Delayed On Its Way To The Governor
AU Lawyer Discusses Supreme Court Contraception Case With National Constitution Center
Senior Litigation Counsel Greg Lipper took to the airwaves with the National Constitution Center's We The People podcast to discuss Zubik v. Burwell.
Georgia Legislature Will Not Push To Override Governor's Veto Of "Religious Liberty" Bill
It's official: it's over for Georgia's HB 757. House Speaker David Ralston and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today that they would not challenge Governor Nathan Deal's veto on the controversial "religious liberty" bill, but that the larger fight is far from over.
Mississippi Senate Passes Sweeping "Religious Liberty" Bill
Mississippi Set To Vote On Discriminatory Bill
About that Order for Supplemental Briefing in Zubik v. Burwell
Last Week In Review: March 21–25
Because many state legislative sessions have ended (Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming), we can report that 13 of the so-called religious liberty bills we have been tracking are officially dead. Here is some of the big state legislative news that occurred last week and what we expect to see moving this week.
Georgia Governor Vetoes "Religious Liberty" Bill
In a brief press conference today, Governor Nathan Deal vetoed HB 757, a bill that would have sanctioned discrimination in the name of "religious liberty".
Americans United Hails Georgia Governor’s Veto Of HB 757, A So-Called ‘Religious Freedom Bill’
Somehow We're Still Arguing Over Birth Control In The Supreme Court
Zubik v. Burwell Case Attracts Major Media Attention
Bill That Allows For Discrimination Moves To Mississippi Senate Floor
On Wednesday, a Mississippi Senate Committee approved HB 1523, the misleadingly named “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act.” The state House has already passed the bill and the Senate will likely vote on it very soon. The goal of HB 1523 is to allow discrimination against LGBT couples. But its reach goes much further.
A Sign Speaks: The Message Behind ‘The PILL KILLS’
The Mouse Has Spoken: Disney Threatens To Boycott Georgia If HB 757 Passes
Disney fired a warning shot across Georgia's bow today, vowing that neither it nor its Marvel Studios unit would film in the state should HB 757 pass.