Senate approves bill to protect business franchisees’ religious beliefs, operating days

A bill regarding agreements between franchisors and franchisees and religious beliefs led to a short exchange about free enterprise on the Senate floor Thursday morning.

Before Senate Bill 138, sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, passed nearly unanimously, Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, questioned Roberts on the need for the bill he said meddled in private business.

It prohibits a franchisor from requiring existing franchisees with sincerely held religious beliefs to operate on religious days. There are a few exceptions, including when an original franchise agreement required operation on a religious day.

Roberts said the bill was brought to him by a constituent. He said it’s needed because as hedge funds “roll up” more companies, rules for franchisees are changing.

During the discussion, the Chick-fil-A restaurant franchise, which is closed on Sundays, was mentioned as an example.

If it suddenly had a new corporate owner, it couldn’t make franchisees operate their locations on Sundays under his bill, Roberts explained. But they could if they wanted to.

“The franchisee, who’s already made the investment, who’s got the sweat equity into this would not have to open on Sunday if it violated their deeply held religious conviction,” he said.

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Singleton said he respected what Robertson was trying to do, but “we are interfering with business in the state of Alabama.”

“We can’t be dictating to businesses when they can be or can’t be open just because of religious purposes,” said Singleton, who did vote for the bill.

Robertson said the legislation protects small businesses. It would not affect new franchise agreements, he said.

Franschisors who violate the law would face civil fines starting at $10,000 and maxing out at $50,000.

The bill passed 30-1. Senate. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, was the lone no vote. It now moves to a House committee.

If it passes the Legislature, the new law would go into effect June 1.

This story is from aldailynews.com.