Legislation

HB331 makes blocking traffic or sidewalks with two or more people a third degree felony, which is punishable by up to five years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. This bill also provides criminal enhancements for wearing masks during the commission of a crime, and creates a civil cause of action to sue people who block roadways or sidewalks. These penalties erode the public's ability to exercise their First Amendment right to protest and chill constitutionally protected speech. HB331 would make felons out of protestors.

HB197 expands on the prior sensitive materials law passed in 2024, Rep. Ivory's HB29. This bill would require schools to use automated filters in screening database and other online content and to immediately ban access to materials upon a "plausible" complaint. Like HB29, the bill would require the material to be pulled statewide once enough districts flag the same material, undermining local control over our schools. Additionally, under this bill, parents could sue schools and educational vendors, exposing local education agencies to legal liability that will in turn be covered by taxpayer dollars.