GA religious freedom bill will have to wait

Yesterday marked the final day of the 2015 Georgia General Assembly Session.

A Georgia religious freedom bill that became a flashpoint for a debate over anti-gay discrimination didn’t make that deadline. 

Lawmakers failed to vote on the measure before the end of the legislative session at midnight. The bill stalled in the House Judiciary Committee, which has not taken any action on the measure since supporters tabled the bill last week.

The Georgia bill would have prohibited government from infringing on a person’s religious beliefs unless the government can prove a compelling interest.  Opponents say it would provide a legal basis for discrimination against gays.

Supporters tabled the Georgia bill last week after a Republican member of the panel added language preventing it from being used as a defense for discrimination.

The bill will be back on the table next year, and many supporters plan to use the break to try and gain support.

Businesses like Delta Airlines, Home Depot, and Coke a Cola have all opposed the bill.