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Harbin was adamant that the bill shouldn't be changed, telling a reporter that while he knew "this has never been done before, I want Georgians to have the same protection that's in federal law" with no tinkering with the proposed wording.

SB 233 stops far short of the wide-ranging “religious liberty” bill that Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed last year, saying it would damage the state’s reputation of tolerance and inclusion.

In contrast, Harbin's bill says simply that the language in the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act would also apply in Georgia. The federal law requires the government to prove a "compelling governmental interest" before it interferes with a person's exercise of religion.

To read more about the fight over 'religious liberty' in Georgia and the history of the debate in the state Legislature, click here to read our premium story.