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Panel advances 'essential occupations' bill after heated debate over pandemic-era restrictions
Summary
House Bill 5 62 would prohibit state and local officials from designating lawful occupations as nonessential during a declared emergency and gives affected workers a private right of action; the committee advanced the measure despite questions about public‑safety tradeoffs and potential liability exposure for officials.
The State and Local Government Committee advanced House Bill 5 62 after extended and sometimes contentious debate about emergency authority and worker protections.
Representative Fritz, sponsor of the bill, said the measure would reaffirm that “all legal work is honorable” and would prevent officials from classifying lawful occupations as nonessential during an emergency, while providing affected workers a civil remedy. Fritz said the proposal was driven by accounts from small‑business owners—hairdressers, barbers and others—who lost income when public health…
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