- Bill passed 96-70 with rare bipartisan opposition in Republican-led House
- Critics warn of discrimination risks for LGBTQ+ and religious minorities
- 2016 veto of similar legislation prevented projected $100M economic loss
- 29 states have comparable laws, but Georgia lacks statewide civil rights protections
Georgia lawmakers ignited renewed culture war tensions Wednesday by approving a religious freedom bill opponents argue could enable discrimination against marginalized groups. The legislation, mirroring federal RFRA standards, prohibits government interference with religious expression but faces criticism for potential misuse against LGBTQ+ individuals. Two Republicans broke ranks to oppose the measure, reflecting deepening divisions within conservative ranks over social policy.
This marks Georgia's second attempt at faith-based protections since 2016, when then-Governor Nathan Deal vetoed comparable legislation following warnings from major corporations like Disney and Salesforce. Economic analysts credited that decision with preserving Atlanta's emergence as a $9.5B film production hub. Current Governor Brian Kemp has pledged to sign the new bill despite renewed threats of corporate boycotts from the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
Legal scholars highlight three unique risks in Georgia's approach: Unlike peer states with RFRA laws, Georgia maintains no statewide nondiscrimination ordinances. This creates potential loopholes allowing businesses to refuse service based on religious objections. During committee hearings, sponsor Sen. Ed Setzler failed to cite specific instances of government religious suppression warranting the legislation – a gap opponents called evidence of solutionism.
The hospitality sector remains particularly concerned, recalling Indiana's $60M convention loss after its 2015 RFRA passage. Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau data shows LGBTQ+-welcoming policies helped attract 42% of major conferences since 2020. Religious freedom advocates counter that 78% of Georgia faith leaders support the bill as essential for protecting sacraments like communion and faith-based counseling.
With federal courts increasingly scrutinizing state RFRA laws, Georgia's legislation faces probable legal challenges. Recent 11th Circuit rulings established precedent limiting religious exemptions to civil rights protections, suggesting potential conflicts ahead. As national advocacy groups mobilize for referendum battles, this legislation positions Georgia as a 2024 bellwether state for balancing religious liberty and anti-discrimination efforts.
