Supporters file second ‘religious liberty’ bill in Georgia
Georgia lawmakers supporting “religious liberty” efforts at the state Capitol doubled-down Wednesday by introducing a second bill to prevent government intrusion on faith-based beliefs.
Senate Bill 129, sponsored by state Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, uses the same language as federal legislation passed by Congress in 1993 and signed by President Bill Clinton. It asserts that government has to show a compelling interest for why its policy should override an individual’s religious freedom.
Its backers say McKoon’s efforts to only mirror the federal law — and not go further — shouldn’t be controversial. But debate on the issue has been contentious since last year, when McKoon filed a similar bill and drew the wrath of Georgia’s powerful business community, including heavyweights Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines and Home Depot.
McKoon’s bill this year follows similar efforts in the House — led by state Rep. Sam Teasley, R -Marietta — to pass religious liberty legislation via House Bill 218. Both opponents and supporters of the legislation have held a number of dueling rallies and press conferences since early January.
Opponents say the legislation is not needed and could have unintended, discriminatory consequences.
— Kristina Torres
Families of crime victims could get more state help for funerals
Georgia will provide more money to victims’ families to help them pay for funerals under a bill passed Wednesday by the state Senate.
Senate Bill 79 would increase the amount available to families to $6,000, and it would also expand who is eligible to apply for money to include stepchildren and stepparents.
Victim compensation decisions are overseen by the state Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and generally involve major crimes such as murder. The state fund gets its money via fines and fees paid by convicted offenders in the state parole system.
The fund, which collected $17.5 million last year, can help families for things like lost wages, counseling and financial hardship. It can also help with funeral expenses, but the maximum award is currently $3,000 — and hasn’t changed in 20 years.
The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford, said that’s a problem because the average cost of funerals is now much more than $3,000. Instead, she said, it’s around $8,000.
SB 79 passed on a 50-3 vote and now goes to the state House for consideration.
— Kristina Torres
House honors memory of WSB’s ‘Capt. Herb’
A resolution honoring the late Herb Emory was introduced in the state House on Wednesday, memorializing the longtime WSB traffic reporter by renaming a Douglas County bridge in his name.
“Capt. Herb,” who helped shepherd metro Atlanta commuters to and from work for decades, died in April after suffering a heart attack while helping at the scene of a traffic accident. Emory was 61.
House Resolution 398, sponsored by Rep. Michah Gravely, R-Douglasville, would dedicate the Lee Road bridge over I- 20 in Emory’s name. The bridge would be known as the “Captain Herb Emory Memorial Bridge.”
Emory moved to Atlanta in 1971 and worked for a number of local radio stations. In 1991, he joined WSB and soon began reporting on traffic.
— Aaron Gould Sheinin
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