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Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson Signs Amended Religious Freedom Bill

Arkansas Gov. Signs Amended Religious Freedom Bill
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Managing Editor, Breaking News, HuffPost

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Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signed a revised version of the state's Religious Freedom Reformation Act on Thursday, one day after refusing to sign an earlier version of the bill over concerns about discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.

Earlier Thursday, the Republican-controlled state legislature passed a new version of the bill at the governor's request, amending provisions that would have allowed businesses to discriminate against LGBT customers. The amended legislation mirrors the federal RFRA.

Meanwhile, legislators in Indiana have made changes to the controversial RFRA signed into law by Gov. Mike Pence (R) last week. On Thursday, the state's general assembly passed new language explicitly stating that the law does not allow discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The changes came amid immense national backlash, with dozens of politicians, business leaders and celebrities speaking out against the bill.

In a Wednesday press conference announcing his opposition to the initial version of the bill, Hutchinson said his son had asked him to veto the legislation.

"My son Seth signed the petition asking me, Dad, the governor, to veto this bill," he said. "And he gave me permission to make that reference, and it shows that families -- and there's a generational difference of opinion on these issues."

Hutchinson also faced pressure from Walmart, which is headquartered in the state. CEO Doug McMillon called on the governor to veto the bill, which he said "threatens to undermine the spirit of inclusion."

Read the latest on the Indiana Religious Freedom Reformation Act here.

This is a developing story and has been updated.

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Before You Go

Reactions To Indiana's 'Religious Freedom' Law
George Takei(01 of25)
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"Star Trek" actor George Takei on Twitter: "Outraged over Indiana Freedom to Discriminate law, signed today. LGBTs aren't 2nd class citizens. #BoycottIndiana #Pence" (credit:Suzi Pratt via Getty Images)
Wilco(02 of25)
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The band Wilco tweeted: "We're canceling our 5/7 show in Indianapolis. 'Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act' feels like thinly disguised legal discrimination."In another tweet it said: "Hope to get back to the Hoosier State someday soon, when this odious measure is repealed. Refunds available at point of purchase." (credit:NBC via Getty Images)
Indianapolis(03 of25)
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Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard signed an executive order reaffirming that groups doing business with the city must still abide by its human rights ordinance, which bars discrimination on the basis of categories that include sexual orientation and gender identity. "Our city thrives because we have welcomed and embraced diversity," he said. "RFRA threatens what thousands of people have spent decades building. And I won't allow that to happen without a fight." (credit:Aaron P. Bernstein via Getty Images)
Connecticut(04 of25)
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"Because of Indiana's new law, later today I will sign an Executive Order regarding state-funded travel," Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy tweeted.Another tweet added: "When new laws turn back the clock on progress, we can’t sit idly by. We are sending a message that discrimination won’t be tolerated." (credit:Spencer Platt via Getty Images)
Apple(05 of25)
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Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted: "Apple is open for everyone. We are deeply disappointed in Indiana's new law and calling on Arkansas Gov. to veto the similar #HB1228." (credit:Stephen Lam via Getty Images)
Jeb Bush(06 of25)
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Former Florida Gov. and potential Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush said, "I think Gov. [Mike] Pence has done the right thing. I think once the facts are established, people aren’t going to see this as discriminatory at all." (credit:Richard Ellis via Getty Images)
San Francisco(07 of25)
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San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee released a statement:
We stand united as San Franciscans to condemn Indiana’s new discriminatory law, and will work together to protect the civil rights of all Americans including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.Effective immediately, I am directing City Departments under my authority to bar any publicly-funded City employee travel to the State of Indiana that is not absolutely essential to public health and safety. San Francisco taxpayers will not subsidize legally-sanctioned discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people by the State of Indiana.
 (credit:Jason O. Watson via Getty Images)
Oregon(08 of25)
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Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, who is openly bisexual, released a statement:
Indiana’s new law offends me. No individual, regardless of where they live or whom they love, should suffer discrimination. I urge state leaders in Indiana to take swift action to prohibit discrimination and reverse the damaging impact of this law. Oregonians continually demonstrate a strong belief in fairness and equal treatment under the law. As recently as 2013, Oregon voters have defeated proposals similar to Indiana’s law, underscoring our shared values and rejecting discrimination. I encourage Oregonians to join me in expressing their concerns about this erosion of individual rights in Indiana and anywhere it may occur.
 (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
NCAA(09 of25)
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"The NCAA national office and our members are deeply committed to providing an inclusive environment for all our events," said NCAA President Mark Emmert. "We are especially concerned about how this legislation could affect our student-athletes and employees." (credit:Scott Halleran via Getty Images)
Salesforce.com(10 of25)
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Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of Salesforce.com, tweeted: "Today we are canceling all programs that require our customers/employees to travel to Indiana to face discrimination." (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Ted Cruz(11 of25)
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GOP presidential candidate and U.S. Sen.Ted Cruz (Texas) said in a statement:
Governor Pence is holding the line to protect religious liberty in the Hoosier State. Indiana is giving voice to millions of courageous conservatives across this country who are deeply concerned about the ongoing attacks upon our personal liberties. I’m proud to stand with Mike, and I urge Americans to do the same.
 (credit:Darren McCollester via Getty Images)
Jason Collins(12 of25)
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Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player, tweeted: ".@GovPenceIN, is it going to be legal for someone to discriminate against me & others when we come to the #FinalFour?" (credit:New York Daily News via Getty Images)
Yelp(13 of25)
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Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman released a statement that read in part: "It is unconscionable to imagine that Yelp would create, maintain, or expand a significant business presence in any state that encouraged discrimination by businesses against our employees, or consumers at large... Yelp will make every effort to expand its corporate presence only in states that do not have these laws allowing for discrimination on the books." (credit:Steve Jennings via Getty Images)
Hillary Clinton(14 of25)
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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tweeted: "Sad this new Indiana law can happen in America today. We shouldn't discriminate against ppl bc of who they love #LGBT" (credit:Bill Clark via Getty Images)
Twitter(15 of25)
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Twitter's global public policy team account tweeted: "We’re disappointed to see state bills that enshrine discrimination. These bills are unjust and bad for business. We support #EqualityForAll." (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
Indianapolis Colts(16 of25)
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Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay tweeted: "The Colts have always embraced inclusiveness, tolerance, and a diverse fan base. We welcome ALL fans to Colts Nation. ONE FAMILY!" (credit:George Gojkovich via Getty Images)
Gen Con(17 of25)
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Adrian Swartout, owner and CEO of the Gen Con gaming convention, wrote a letter to Indiana's governor before he signed the bill, saying: "Gen Con proudly welcomes a diverse attendee base, made up of different ethnicities, cultures, beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. Legislation that could allow for refusal of service or discrimination against our attendees will have a direct negative impact on the state's economy, and will factor into our decision-making on hosting the convention in the state of Indiana in future years." (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Seattle(18 of25)
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Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said, "Laws that say you can discriminate have no place in this country." (credit:Suzi Pratt via Getty Images)
AFSCME(19 of25)
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The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which is led by President Lee Saunders, said in a release: "AFSCME is pulling our Women's Conference out of Indiana this fall as a sign of our disgust and disappointment with Governor Pence's discriminatory law. We stand with the ever-growing number of corporations and associations who are taking similar action this week, and demanding fairness for all in the state of Indiana." (credit:Bill Clark via Getty Images)
Angie's List And Other Companies(20 of25)
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Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle said he will not be moving forward with a $40 million expansion of the company's headquarters in Indianapolis. The company joined with eight other large companies headquartered in the state to write a letter to the governor and state GOP leaders. It read, in part:
Regardless of the original intention of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, we are deeply concerned about the impact it is having on our employees and on the reputation of our state. All of our companies seek to promote fair, diverse and inclusive workplaces. Our employees must not feel unwelcome in the place where they work and live.
 (credit:Aaron P. Bernstein via Getty Images)
Rick Santorum(21 of25)
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Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum (R) tweeted, "I stand with @mikepence4gov in defense of religious liberty and real tolerance." (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
NASCAR(22 of25)
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NASCAR issued a statement:
NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate in exclusion or intolerance. We are committed to diversity and inclusion within our sport and therefore will continue to welcome all competitors and fans at our events in the state of Indiana and anywhere else we race.
 (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Washington, D.C.(23 of25)
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Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an order banning official D.C. government travel to Indiana. "Discrimination is intolerable wherever it exists. I stand with the LGBT community on #RFRA," she tweeted. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Denver(24 of25)
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Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said in a statement:
Denver is an inclusive city, and we take tremendous pride in that. Due to the actions taken by the State of Indiana, we will join with other cities across the nation in suspending the use of city funds for official business to Indiana. This law is just wrong, plain and simple, and we will not tacitly condone discrimination through the use of taxpayer dollars.
 (credit:The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Nike(25 of25)
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Nike President and CEO Mark Parker said in a statement:
NIKE proudly stands for inclusion for all. We believe laws should treat people equally and prevent discrimination. NIKE has led efforts alongside other businesses to defeat discriminatory laws in Oregon and opposes the new law in Indiana which is bad for our employees, bad for our consumers, bad for business and bad for society as a whole. We hope Indiana will quickly resolve this.
 (credit:Mitchell Layton via Getty Images)
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