Capitol Recap: ‘Religious liberty’ bill runs into early trouble

For a few days, “religious liberty” looked like it might have a chance to dominate discussion for a fourth straight legislative session.

But then Gov. Nathan Deal delivered a first-round knockout.

Deal said Thursday that he had "no desire or appetite to entertain" Senate Bill 233, a piece of legislation proposed by state Sen. Marty Harbin, R-Tyrone, that would require that the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 apply in Georgia.

At first, it appeared that there could be some drama akin to last year’s fight over House Bill 757, a more sweeping piece of legislation that, among other things, would have allowed any faith-based organization to deny social, educational or charitable services that went against that organization’s “sincerely held religious belief.”

Supporters of that bill, much like those who back Harbin’s legislation, say such a law is needed to protect people of faith from an overreaching government. Opponents, including some of the state’s major business leaders, warn that such legislation could allow for discrimination, in particular against the LGBTQ community.

Deal vetoed HB 757 a few days after the 2016 session ended, saying he saw Georgia as a "welcoming state filled with warm, friendly and loving people." It was a move that met jeers from large swaths of the state's Republican Party.

After Harbin unveiled SB 233 on Tuesday, the governor did a little bobbing and weaving, saying the next day: “I think it’s only fair that we give it due consideration. Quite frankly, in 1993 when the federal act was passed we voted for it, as did most people in Congress.”

“Everything that needs to be said on this issue was said in the veto statement last March,” Riley said Tuesday.

Senate leadership took note.

While Harbin's bill had the signatures of about 20 of his GOP colleagues, it was already staggering Wednesday when Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle assigned it to the Rules Committee. Normally, a bill like Harbin's would go to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which handles legal issues and protections. But the Rules Committee gives leadership more control over whatever progress the bill might make.

Harbin responded by moving that his bill be “engrossed,” protecting it from any changes. It was an unusual move at such an early stage in the process, similar to skipping the standard double dare and going straight to the double-dog dare.

It didn’t work.

Thirty-four senators rejected Harbin’s request, and only 18 backed him.

"The governor," said Senate Health and Human Services Chairwoman Renee Unterman, R-Buford, "has sent a pretty clear message."

New campus gun bill faces same opponents

As long as we’re looking at the vetoes of 2016, Gov. Nathan Deal also angered a good share of his base last year when he shot down a campus gun bill.

One reason for the veto was the bill did not ban firearms from campus child care centers.

A new bill is back — and the sponsor of House Bill 280, state Rep. Mandi Ballinger, R-Canton, did include a provision for child care centers.

Steve Wrigley, the chancellor of the University System of Georgia, told lawmakers Monday that the bill remains unnecessary.

“We feel strongly current law strikes the right balance to provide security on our campuses,” University System Chancellor Steve Wrigley told the House Public Safety Committee.

The law currently allows students and others to keep firearms in their cars.

House Bill 280, like last year’s bill, would still bar firearms from athletic events, student dormitories, fraternities and sorority houses.

Ballinger says the bill is needed to ensure that students have “the opportunity to defend themselves and not become victims.”

She is still talking to people who have issues with the measure and indicated that changes could be coming. She asked the committee to delay a vote.

Someone’s voting, Lord, to sing song’s praises

The warm feeling of harmony passed over the Legislature this week when it recognized "Kumbaya" as Georgia's first state historical song.

State Sen. William Ligon, R-Brunswick, sponsored Senate Resolution 293 to highlight what historians say are the song's roots in the Gullah and Geechee culture of coastal Georgia.

Robert Winslow Gordon traveled in the 1920s to Georgia’s coast, living for a while in Darien. While he was there, local residents gave him permission to record them singing spirituals, including one called “Come By Here.”

A version of that song came to be known as “Kumbaya.”

For an encore, how about the Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post”?

Legislative session coverage

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has the largest team covering the Georgia Legislature. To see more of its legislative coverage, go to http://www.myajc.com/georgia-legislature/. To track particular bills and resolutions, check out the Georgia Legislative Navigator at http://legislativenavigator.myajc.com/. You can also follow the proceedings on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GAPoliticsNews or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/gapoliticsnewsnow.

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