Brecheen said allowing cities and counties to pass ordinances governing such issues creates a patchwork that opens up businesses to liability.

According to the measure, unless authorized by state law, cities and counties would not be able to implement an ordinance, resolution, rule or regulation that conflicts with, expands or is more stringent than state law relating to discrimination in employment or public accommodations.

“The public accommodation and housing elements unfairly require business owners to serve transgender and same-sex couples even if they have moral or religious objections,” Brecheen said. “And we are seeing across the nation city ordinances that are making business owners more liable for lawsuits.

“Those in the faith-based community, we can love and then object to being forced to participate in things that go against our sincerely held religious beliefs. There has to be a balance.”

Toby Jenkins, executive director of Oklahomans for Equality, said he believes that Brecheen knows his bill allows for discrimination but does not want it called discrimination because that would mean it comes from a place of hate.