Republican Arkansas Governor Asa
Hutchinson asked lawmakers for changes to a so-called religious
freedom bill approved by lawmakers on Tuesday.
The measure, HB 1228, seeks to prohibit
any state and local laws that “substantially burden” a person's
ability to follow his or her religious beliefs without a “compelling”
interest. Critics argue that the bill could open the door to
discrimination against gay men and lesbians.
(Related: Arkansas
House approves “religious freedom” bill.)
Hutchinson has previously said that he
would sign the bill. But that was before passage of a similar
measure in Indiana attracted nationwide attention, forcing
Republican Governor Mike Pence to ask for a “fix,” and
Arkansas-based Walmart, the world's largest retailer, weighed in
against the bill.
(Related: Walmart
asks Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to veto anti-gay bill.)
“I've asked them to recall it and
change the language,” Hutchinson
told reporters on Wednesday.
He said he wants the proposed
legislation to more closely mirror a federal version approved in 1993
that does not define a person to include a company or association.