2016 has turned into the year of religious freedom legislation. To date, a total of nine bills dealing with religious freedom have been filed. While other religious freedom bills have merit, CWA of Georgia is supporting two bills we feel provide the most broad-based religious protections this year. We will not compromise. We want to see religious protections for all Georgians.
HB 837 “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” (RFRA) This bill replaces SB 129.
Rep. Ed Seztler (R-Acworth) is the bill sponsor of HB 837. Rep. Setzler says this of his bill, “HB-837 takes a balanced, time-tested approach to protecting the right of religious expression. By simply referencing federal law (42 USC 2000, Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993), HB-837 ensures that Georgians have the same level of protection of their religious rights as do citizens of Washington, D.C., federal military bases, and inmates in our federal and state prisons.”
Status
HB 837 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee but has not been given a date for a hearing.
Take Action
Contact both Speaker David Ralston (404-656-5020) and Chairman Wendell Willard (404-656-5125404-656-5125) today and urge them to allow HB 837 to be placed on the committee calendar today.
SB 284 “First Amendment Defense Act” (FADA)
Why we need to pass SB 284
The number one, immediate priority is to protect the religious freedom of those who will continue to regard marriage as only the union between one man and one woman, according to the Word of God. The state-level First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) has been introduced to clarify and strengthen religious liberty protections in state law and to safeguard from government retaliation against those individuals and institutions that promote traditional marriage.
FADA would prevent the state government from denying a tax exemption, grant, contract, license, or certification to an individual, organization, or business just because of their beliefs on traditional marriage.
Take Action
Contact Gov. Nathan Deal (404-656-1776404-656-1776) and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle (404-656-5030404-656-5030) and urge them to bring SB 284 to a floor vote.