Sid Salter: Hood now in HB 1523 crosshairs
Ironically, Hood’s now a defendant in one of two federal lawsuits filed against the state regarding HB 1523. One lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, seeks to declare the bill unconstitutional.
A second federal lawsuit filed by the Campaign for Southern Equality, seeks to reopen its prior lawsuit that overturned Mississippi’s same-sex marriage ban and focuses on the provision in HB 1523 that allows those same Mississippi circuit clerks and deputy clerks to “recuse” themselves from issuing marriage licenses if doing so conflicts with their personal religious beliefs.
Perhaps more ironic now that he’s been named as a defendant in one of those federal lawsuits is Hood’s admonition after Gov. Phil Bryant signed HB 1523 into law: “Any lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of HB1523 will have to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We would caution government officials and others that HB 1523 does not override federal law or constitutional rights. If a person or government official violates a federal statute or constitutional provision, House Bill 1523 will not protect that official from a federal lawsuit or from potential personal liability under federal law.”
Clarion Ledger
5/11/16
Magnolia Tribune
