An intersection of interests is building in the House that could bear watching. Again.
You know about H.B. 218, the religious liberty measure sponsored by state Rep. Sam Teasley, R-Marietta, intended to limit government encroachment on the religious views of individuals.
Teasley has denied it vociferously, but critics have condemned the measure as a back-door attempt to thwart recognition of gay marriage.
Teasley's bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Wendell Willard, R-Sandy Springs. Willard is now the No. 2 signature on H.B. 323, a measure to bar discrimination of state employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill was filed Wednesday.
The lead sponsor is Karla Drenner, D-Avondale Estates, one of three lesbian members of the House. H.B. 323 has been introduced before – to address a very specific case of discrimination among the lawyers who draft legislation in the state Capitol.
That could make for some very interesting questions when Teasley’s bill goes before Williard’s committee – though we have not yet heard of it being placed on a calendar yet.
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