Business groups continue to pressure lawmakers to pass hate-crimes bill

ATLANTA — The day after Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan unveiled hatecrimes legislation that he wants the Senate to pursue, a coalition of business and civil rights groups reiterated their desire for Georgia to approve a comprehensive law.

The heads of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta Black Chambers of Commerce, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League and Georgia Equality released a statement Thursday encouraging the Legislature to “work across party lines and to move quickly” to pass hate-crimes legislation.

“While the recently introduced Senate proposal still requires additional study, we are committed as a business and civil rights community in working together with our elected officials to enact an effective hate crimes bill,” the groups said in a statement. “The final bill should address much-needed penalties for those who commit inconceivable attacks of murder, property destruction or personal targeting solely based on who they are.”

The Georgia House and Senate have been battling over what hatecrimes legislation should include. The House last March approved House Bill 426, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Chuck Efstration, which would enhance the penalty of those already convicted of crimes if the crime was found to have been motivated by bias.

Duncan on Wednesday announced plans to encourage the Senate to approve legislation that would create a separate hatecrimes law, require law enforcement to track instances of crimes found to be motivated by bias and outlines guidance for victims pursuing legal action.

“Prioritizing equality and inclusion in our society remains paramount to Georgia’s continued ability to be the best state in which to live and do business,” the groups wrote in the letter.

Georgia is one of at least four states that does not have a hate crimes law on the books. A 2000 hate-crimes law was struck down by the Georgia Supreme Court in 2004 for being “unconstitutionally vague.”

The February killing of Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed black man, by a white father and son in Brunswick reignited calls for Georgia to pass a hate-crimes law.

A Senate panel is expected to consider Duncan’s hate-crimes proposal this week. If the Senate approves legislation that is different from HB 426, it would have to return to the House for its approval before lawmakers adjourn in seven legislative days if it is to become law.