IndyStar staff

Indiana lawmakers faced criticism from Gov. Eric Holcomb, businesses and others after the Senate passed a watered-down bill late last month that many hoped would be the state's first hate crimes law.

An amendment removed protected characteristics, including gender identity, race and sexual orientation. Indiana is one of five states without a hate crimes law.

Many of the organizations that spoke out against the amended bill are part of a campaign advocating for passage of "a clear, specific and inclusive hate crimes law."

Two groups could not be reached for comment.

Here's what lawmakers, organizations and prominent Indiana businesses said about the bill:

Indiana’s hate crimes debate isn’t yet the next RFRA. But it could be eventually.

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American Family Association of Indiana

The American Family Association of Indiana, which describes itself as "the state's premiere decency organization," shared support for the amendment in a newsletter.

"(The amendment) was a strong statement for equal justice under the law rather than stooping to the identity politics that divides our nation," the organization said. "Indiana Senators should be thanked for their support of this amendment that passed with a very strong 33-16 vote."

Anthem/BlueCross BlueShield

Anthem/BlueCross BlueShield avoided questions about whether it is actively pressuring legislators to revise the amended bill.

It released a one-sentence statement: "Anthem believes in a comprehensive hate crimes law that specifically mentions disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity."

Cook Group

Cook group could not be reached for comment.

Cummins

Cummins did not respond to a request for comment.

Eli Lilly & Co.

Michael O'Connor, senior director of state government affairs, said Eli Lilly & Co. does not support the amended bill and no longer considers the legislation a "hate crimes bill."

Instead, the company is focusing its efforts on getting the House to put the protections back in the bill, he said.

"There will be opportunities in the House of Representatives to amend the bill and make it a real bias crimes bill," O'Connor said. "That is where we will focus our efforts."

Hate crime bill:What you need to know

Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers representatives spoke to lawmakers in favor of the bill in its previous form.

When asked for a reaction by IndyStar to the amended bill, a representative pointed toward past testimony in support of the inclusive list.

"We recruit people to be part of our teams, part of our business all over the world, and we have to be able to guarantee a workplace free of discrimination," Pacers Vice Chairman Jim Morris told lawmakers in that testimony, "a safe workplace and a workplace that is welcoming to all."

Colts, Pacers, NCAA, IMS testified for tough Indiana hate crimes bill.Now they're quiet.

The Pacers representative didn’t say whether the team planned to advocate for stronger language.

Morris signed on to a letter this week from local business executives asking top Republicans to restore the bill’s original provisions.

Indiana University

When asked what he thought of the amended hate crimes bill, a representative from Indiana University pointed to a letter IU President Michael McRobbie wrote supporting Holcomb's call for a hate crimes proposal.

The representative didn’t say whether they planned to advocate for stronger language.

Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts representatives spoke to lawmakers in favor of the bill in its previous form.

Colts owner Jim Irsay signed on to a letter this week from local business executives asking top Republicans to restore the bill’s original provisions.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway representatives spoke to lawmakers in favor of the bill in its previous form.

In an email, IMS President Doug Boles said the track became involved in testifying for the hate crimes bill after being "approached by the leaders of this effort to be part of a broad group of supportive civic, corporate and philanthropic organizations. So, we’re lending a helpful hand when and where appropriate, such as (the public) hearing.”



As to why it is important to have a hate crimes law, Boles said: “Indiana’s sports organizations are key drivers of civic pride and economic growth in this state. We’re also highly philanthropic and community-focused. So, we feel it’s important to maintain a voice on certain matters of relevance to our state’s success.”

Infosys

Chiku Somaiya, Infosys' Americas spokesperson, said the company would probably not comment because of the political nature of the issue.

The India-based tech company is building a $245 million campus near the Indianapolis International Airport and is bringing roughly 3,000 jobs to the state.

Jewish Community Relations Council

The Indianapolis JCRC released a statement that expressed "extreme disappointment" that the Senate stripped protected classes out of the bill.

"The Jewish community is frustrated and feels unheard. In recent years, Jewish synagogues, schools, JCCs, and cemeteries in Indiana have been threatened, vandalized, and desecrated," the statement said. "Jewish Hoosiers are being targeted because of our religion, because we are Jews. Passing a real bias crimes bill is a critical way the State of Indiana acknowledges this important fact. At the exact moment when our community is experiencing the greatest increase in antisemitic incidents in two generations, we need our legislators to heed our calls."

National Basketball Association

When asked how the NBA felt about the language in Indiana's current hate crimes bill, NBA spokesman Tim Frank texted to IndyStar: “The NBA will have no comment at this time."

The league's All-Star game is set to come to Indianapolis in 2021. The 2017 All-Star game was pulled from North Carolina over the state's transgender bathroom ban.

National Collegiate Athletic Association

When asked five questions about the Senate bill, the stripped protected classes and how it plans to move forward, an NCAA representative responded with a sentence: "We are aware of the bill and monitoring."

The organization's headquarters is located in Indianapolis.

Noblesville Diversity Coalition

In a letter signed by 28 community, business, school, church and civic leaders, the Noblesville Diversity Coalition criticized the Senate for voting to strip the inclusive list from the bill and called on the House to add it back in.

“The problem of hate is very real for local communities such as Noblesville,” the letter said. “Some of our coalition members have experienced hate first hand. Others are worried for their children. In November, our high school was vandalized with racist threats of violence meant to intimidate people of color. This type of repulsive behavior is happening more frequently across Indiana, and it’s time to do something about it."

Purdue University

Purdue officials said the university refrains from commenting on political issues.

Salesforce

A spokeswoman for San Francisco-based Salesforce referred IndyStar to a tweet sent by its marketing cloud CEO and chief analytics officer Bob Stutz the day Republican senators overhauled the bill.

The tweet expressed the company's displeasure with the changes. Salesforce, however, did not answer questions about whether it was actively lobbying lawmakers to change the bill back.

Eric Holcomb

Gov. Eric Holcomb said the amended bill "does not get Indiana off the list of states without a bias crime law."

"We have a long way to go, a lot of work to do, and fortunately the time yet still to do it," Holcomb said after the bill passed the Senate. "I will continue to fight for the right ultimate outcome for our state and citizens this year so we’re not right back here in the same place next year.”

In a Feb. 27 press conference, Holcomb would not say whether he would veto the bill if it were to reach his desk.

"It's too early for the 'V' word," Holcomb said.

Joe Hogsett

Senior members of Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett's administration have been in touch regularly with lawmakers about the need for strong hate-crimes legislation, spokeswoman Taylor Shaffer said.

“While recent changes to the bill have been discouraging,” she said, “Mayor Hogsett remains optimistic that a broad coalition of statewide stakeholders can work with the General Assembly to restore full protections and pass legislation that can help move our city and state forward.”

Pete Buttigieg

Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend and a Democratic candidate for president, tweeted after the watered-down bill passed the Senate.

"It is a source of deep embarrassment that our state is one of just five with no hate crime law," he said.

Scott Fadness

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said the bill that passed the Senate isn’t good enough and that he plans to work alongside the governor, business leaders and officials from other cities to advocate for stronger language throughout the remainder of the legislative session.

“I am disappointed in the actions taken by the Senate, some of (whom) represent Fishers, to strip the list from the legislation,” he said. “I have been and continue to be in contact with my legislative delegation and I stand with the governor in his pursuit of passing legislation with the list included. The time has come to do the right thing.”

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on Twitter: @Dana Benbow. Reach her via e-mail: dbenbow@indystar.com.

Call IndyStar business reporter Alexandria Burris at 317-617-2690. Follow her on Twitter: @allyburris.

Call IndyStar education reporter Arika Herron at 317-201-5620 or email her at Arika.Herron@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @ArikaHerron.

Call IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kaitlin Lange at 317-432-9270. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange.

Follow IndyStar Pacers Insider J. Michael on Twitter at @ThisIsJMichael.

Call IndyStar Statehouse reporter Chris Sikich at 317-444-6036. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisSikich.

Call IndyStar digital producer Ethan May at 317-444-4682 or email him at emay@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @EthanMayJ.