While the demise of SB 1062 was largely celebrated on Wednesday, Arizona’s debate over religious freedoms and rights is about to be revived with the House Bill 2481. Once again, the bill has advanced on mostly party-line committee votes and will soon be debated by the House of Representatives. This new bill would prevent government from requiring ordained clergy and judges to preside over a marriage that is not consistent with their religious beliefs.
HB 2481 is sponsored by Republican Representative Steve Montenegro is narrower than SB 1062 which would have provided legal defense for anyone facing discrimination lawsuits if they proved they refused service due to “sincerely held religious beliefs.”
While there was a huge local and national outcry over SB 1062, Montenegro hopes that will not negatively influence votes on his bill. Montenegro who is an assistant pastor at a Surprise church told the Arizona Republic that this legislation is to protect clergy that may be asked to sanction marriages that contradict their religious beliefs.
Montenegro could not provide any examples of any clergy members in Arizona that have been forced to marry individuals against their beliefs. Arizona does not recognize same-sex marriages. Also, religious officials are already exempt from lawsuits filed by people who feel they are wrongly denied marriage services according to Tracey Stewart, the Assistant Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League.
With the outrage over SB 1062, Arizona lawmakers are wary of any legislation that could case Arizona to appear intolerant and unwelcoming. Republicans that voted for SB 1062 and later regretted their support like Adam Driggs have stated they are not going to do anything to reinvigorate the turmoil Arizona recently went through.