Freshman Lawmaker Will Try Legislative Tactic Before Unconstitutional Law Goes Into Effect

Democratic State Rep. Jay Hughes late Monday afternoon announced he will introduce legislation to repeal HB 1523,Â a highly-controversial anti-gay law signed by Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant one week ago. The law, which goes into effect July 1, allows almost anyone to deny service to almost anyone else, merely by claiming they have a deeply held religious or moral belief that prohibits them from serving them.

HB 1523 has been deemedÂ both the most anti-gay and most expansive bill introduced into state legislatures this year, surpassing even North Carolina‘s HB2.

Hughes on Tuesday morning will be joined by other members of the Mississippi House of Representatives at a press conference to announce the introduction of the Mississippi Economic & Tourism Recovery Act, the bill that would repeal Gov. Bryant’s HB 1523.

In order for the bill to be introduced, the House would first have to agree to “the immediate introduction of a concurrent suspension resolution intended to suspend the rules and regular deadlines,” Hughes said today in a press release.Â

The Mississippi Economic & Tourism Recovery ActÂ “is in direct response to the local and national negative consequences on Mississippi, its economic development, tourism industry, and perception of the good people of Mississippi,” the statement continues.Â

Hughes also posted the procedure and his thoughts on Facebook, saying, “Mississippi has been here before – we must give reasonable minds and the principles of democracy an opportunity to be heard. Repeal HB1523. All Mississippians are equal.”

The Clarion-Ledger observes that Hughes’ chances for success are slim.

“Such a suspension of rules and deadlines â€” a very rare occurrence in the Legislature â€”Â would require a two-thirdsÂ vote in both the House and Senate. This would appear doubtful, given the margins by which the final bill passed: 69-44 in the House and 32-17 in the Senate.”

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Hat tip: TeeJay

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