Meeting Public Comments

Ashley Miller []

Being Christian does not entitle you to a free pass to discriminate against others who are different from you. Vote against this nonsense. We are a democracy, not a theocracy.

emma denney []

I am writing in opposition to the bill, and urge a 'no pass.' this bill allows bigots to hide behind "religion," and empowers not just individuals, but businesses and virtually all "legal entities" to discriminate against anyone they like through a claim of religion. I am disappointed that chairman Holt and other legislators are wasting time, taxpayer money, and energy on this bill at all.

Oliver Young []

I fundamentally disagree with the assertion that ones religious beliefs entitles them to ignore laws and discriminate legally. To do so is to ignore all common sense, and to reject the premise that all deserve equal treatment under the law. If we, as a state, are willing to legalize oppression based on religious beliefs, we are no better than oppressors and abusers. Think of those who will be harmed. Think of those who need protection. Do not abandon us.

Beulah Crabtree []

Religion is a fcking pox upon this planet.

Alaina Elliott-Wherry []

I STRONGLY oppose this bill. Religion should NOT be used as a weapon or justification to discriminate, and that is what this bill will allow! Vote NO on HSB614.

Heather Flory []

I strongly oppose HSB 614. Please do not allow Iowans to discriminate against other Iowans based on religion. Let's all work towards helping each other instead of hating each other.

Madeline Ehlinger []

There is a reason that we are a democracy and not a theocracy. Separation of church and state is imperative and believed to be important by our founding fathers. Ones religion should not allow them a free pass to discriminate against others. I am firmly against this bill and honestly disgusted that it has even been introduced.

Storm O'Brink []

Oppose this bill. Religion has no place in government, and allowing people to pick and choose what laws they abide by on the basis of religion does immense harm to our community. This will yield consequences that were not intended by the people who introduced this bill.

Danetta Dobre []

I strongly oppose this bill. I am not sure why this is even being considered religious beliefs, even sincerely held ones, should never supersede the basic fundamental rights of another. I am especially concerned that this will be used by dishonest actors as a hall pass to freely discriminate against LGBTQ individuals, people of color, and immigrants. Do not support this bill Iowans deserve better.

Carl Olsen [Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church]

The federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) was passed by Congress in 1993 and applied to both the federal government and the states. It was passed in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision denying religious protection for a Schedule I controlled substance, peyote, because federal regulations included an exemption for religious use of peyote since 1966, and the state of Oregon did not allow it. I am mentioned frequently in that U.S. Supreme Court decision, Employment Division v. Smith, 494 U.S. 872 (1990), so I know quite a lot about it. My case was Olsen v. DEA, 878 F.2d 1458 (D.C. Cir. 1989). The United States Supreme Court struck the application of RFRA to the states in 1997, in Boerne v. Flores, 521 U.S. 507 (1997), and that is why Senate File 2095 has been introduced. States have been enacting these state versions of RFRA since 1997 when the Supreme Court struck it down as applied to the states. Boerne v. Flores, just as Employment Division v. Smith, protects state sovereignty, "states' rights" as it is sometime called, or "federalism." Of course, my case was about marijuana and not one state accepted the use of marijuana for anything until 1996 when California authorized home grown and group cultivation for medical use. At lot has changed since 1989 when I lost my case, and I'd like a second opportunity to bring that challenge again. SF 2095 would give me that opportunity. Iowa Code 124.204(8) is the Iowa exception for the religious use of peyote, and it was first adopted in Iowa in 1967, 1967 Acts, ch. 189, 2(12), Iowa Code 204A.2(12) (1968), immediately following the federal exception in 1966, Federal Register, Vol. 31, No. 54 Saturday, March 19, 1966, at page 4679. An exception for one church and one church alone for which no others can apply violates our state constitution. Iowa Const., art. 1, 1 (equality), 3 (religious neutrality), 6 (uniformity), 9 (due process), and 20 (redress). SF 2095 would cure that by providing due process, equality, religious neutrality, uniformity, and redress. Thank you!

Itzel Gallegos-Martinez []

I strongly oppose HSB 614. What it implies is very dangerous. Separate religion and state.

Michael De Sotel-Chesmore []

I urge you to vote no against HSB 614. To be able to discriminate someone on account of who they are is inhumane. Religion is not a tool for hate. For it was said in Leviticus 19:18, "You shall not take vengeance or bear a grunge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD."Religion should not be a place for condemning another out of a place to live, be served care, or be offered a service. Religion should remain in the churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, etc. and the state should remain in the state. Thank you for your time.

Gwyn Bertocki []

I strongly oppose this bill! It is simply a way to allow people to discriminate based on personal beliefs, which will only result in chaosand possibly violence. We are a country of many faiths (and even questioning faith or no faith at all), and the separation of church and statethat mutual respectis key to our success. A bill like this only gives people free rein to hate and harm. We should not be protecting this kind of behavior by allowing them to say their religious beliefs allow it. Everyone should be protected under the lawnot just a handful of angry, closedminded churchgoers who fear those who are different. Iowans deserve better.

Sara Wilkins Barnes []

I do not support this bill.

Jayde Taylor []

Christianity does not teach to discriminate, nor does any religion. Claiming Christianity or any other religion as a reason to discriminate works in opposition to the holy texts, which should nullify any basis of "religious freedom" this is not a bill about religion this is a bill made to further grow a divide within Iowa.

Kelly McConnell []

I believe this bill is appalling and we should not even be considering it in 2024. Allowing religion to discriminate is a very slippery slope. Does that allow Muslims to deny services to Christians because their religion tells them that eating pork makes you unclean. Could a protestant refuse service to an evangelical because they dont follow Christ the same way. Where would it stop and who determins what is a deeply held religious belief. If you do not wish to serve people who do not follow your religion then don't do business. This country was founded on the freedom of religion. This means that the government can not impose a religion on to you or prevent you from practicing the religion of your choice. It does not mean that you get to use your right to practice your religion as a way to discriminate against others based on their right to practice the way they choose. Jesus was welcoming to all and did not discriminate why are we using his name to discriminate now. This is truly a very sad day for Iowa.

Jess Bierling []

I strongly oppose this bill. People have the right to practice whatever religion they follow, but they should not be able to use their religion to harm or remove anyone else from society. I dont expect you would agree with businesses turning away people who wore crosses. There is a reason the United States Constitution included the first amendment.

Matt Wells [Constitution Action Network]

The individual right live ones faith out is paramount to a society remaining free. The rights of individuals to gather in the name of religion is also paramount. Government should never get in the way of these natural rights. I urge the passage of this bill.

Bailey Jenson []

I strongly oppose HSB 614. Please do not allow Iowans to discriminate against other Iowans based on religion. Let's all work towards helping each other instead of hating each other.

Amy Meyer []

I support this bill. The free exercise of religion must be protected as an inalienable right of Iowans.

Travis Reed []

I strongly oppose this bill. This bill only supports hate that does not belong in the state of Iowa! If a business doesnt want to be open to the public they shouldnt exist in Iowas economy.

Clayton Bunch []

I oppose this bill. Its allowing small businesses to discriminate.

Kristin Pruitt []

This is ridiculous. This should not be passed. People will take advantage of this, and this will cause so many issues. There should a separation of church and state. Stop being religious matters into law. Iowa is becoming a joke of a state. How freaking embarrassing . You should all be ashamed to even consider this!!!