April 4, 2025
Pacific Justice Institute – Center for Public Policy
Champions Passage of Georgia’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act
ATLANTA, GA – Following the urging of the Pacific Justice Institute – Center for Public Policy, Georgia’s House of Representatives passed a state Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in a late-night vote.
The legislation, also known as Senate Bill 36, limits government intrusion into actions based on religious beliefs. Specifically, Georgia’s RFRA – which mirrors the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 – requires the government to demonstrate a “compelling interest” and use the “least restrictive means” if it acts in a way that may infringe upon an individual’s religious beliefs.
On Wednesday, PJI-CPP encouraged lawmakers to take up the measure and approve
Georgia’s RFRA prior to the expiration of the 2025 legislative session at the end of the
week.
“Senate Bill 36 is a crucial piece of legislation that upholds the fundamental rights of Georgians and protects religious freedom,” said Brad Dacus. “The principle of religious liberty is enshrined in both the U.S. Constitution and Georgia’s state constitution, and this legislation is a reaffirmation of those foundational rights.”
Following the landmark 1997 Supreme Court decision in City of Boerne v. Flores, the
federal RFRA applies only to federal actions prompting states to pass their own
versions of the statute.
The House approved the measure by a vote of 96-70. The bill previously passed the
Georgia Senate by a vote of 33-19. It now heads to Governor Brian Kemp to be signed into law. The Governor has previously indicated that he supports the bill.
By passing RFRA, Georgia joins a growing number of states that are ensuring that their citizens are protected from government actions that might unnecessarily infringe on their religious practices.
