House Bill 1107 is dead. This is the bill pushed by Rep. Scott Craig, a minister from Rapid City. It would allow people and businesses to discriminate, on religious grounds, against gay, lesbian, and transgender people without fear of losing government contracts, grants, and tax exemptions.
Craig made a brief statement in this morning's Senate Judiciary hearing.
"In discussing HB 1107 with various individuals and interested parties, we've heard various concerns expressed, and before we move forward, we want to address those concerns and ensure that everyone understands the intent of this legislation that we're trying to accomplish," Craig said. "And we look forward to ongoing dialog about this legislation in the coming months, so it is respectfully requested that this committee would table HB 1107."
Forty legislators signed on to support the bill, and it had made it through the House on a vote of 46 to 10.