As ThinkProgress points out, Arizona legislators are still considering another “religious freedom” bill, HB 2481, that could have far-reaching implications.
The new bill would shield ministers who refuse to officiate same-sex weddings, but how the bill defines ministers is very broad.
Where the problem arises is how the law defines “minister.” Rather than just its standard definition of religious official, this bill expands it to mean anybody who can officiate a wedding. [...]
This would mean that judges, justices of the peace, and county clerks could exercise the same privilege of refusing to officiate a same-sex marriage. Though this bill would only have an effect in the hypothetical future when marriage equality arrives in Arizona, its effect in that scenario would be incredibly problematic.
An average person, myself included, may hear the word “minister” and think of the clergy, but in this case the title minister would be expanded to cover state employees.
Religious zealots may have suffered a defeat when Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed SB1062, but they aren’t going away.