Written by Don Byrd
Most states are in the thick of their legislative sessions, and while most religious liberty attention is on the wave of Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) bills currently under consideration, other laws with church-state implications are also advancing, for better and for worse. In Arkansas, a Senate committee yesterday passed an unfortunate measure that would place a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the State Capitol.
Arkansas News reports on the bill:
The Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee gave a “do pass” recommendation to Senate Bill 939 by Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Conway, which would direct the secretary of state to arrange for a monument inscribed with the Ten Commandments to be placed on the state Capitol grounds, provided all costs can be paid with private funds.
The bill also would authorize the attorney general to ask Liberty Legal Institute to defend the state in the event that a lawsuit is filed over the monument.
You can read the bill here.
