Tue. April 12, 2016
A Democratic Mississippi state representative on Monday announced that he would introduce legislation to repeal a so-called religious freedom law.
The law, signed by Republican Governor Phil Bryant earlier this month, protects opponents of the Supreme Court's June, 2015 finding that gay and lesbian couples have a constitutional right to marry. The Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act also protects the "sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions" of individuals and "private associations" opposed to transgender people and sexual relations outside of marriage.
Rep. Jay Hughes announced his plan to repeal the law on Facebook.
"HB1523 - Repeal? What will it take?" Hughes wrote. "Since the deadline for the introduction of new bills has passed, a 'Suspension Resolution' will have to be filed in the House. Then, the Speaker will have to allow it to come up for a vote on the floor. It would then take 2/3 of all house members to vote to suspend the rules, and allow a bill to repeal 1523 to be introduced and voted upon.
From there, it would go to the other chamber – where the Lt. Gov would have to allow a vote. Assuming all pass, it would go to the Gov."
Hughes said that he and others would introduce the Mississippi Economic and Tourism Recovery Act on Tuesday.
"Mississippi has been here before – we must give reasonable minds and the principles of democracy an opportunity to be heard. Repeal HB1523. All Mississippians are equal," he added.
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