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Committee advances bill declaring lawful occupations "essential" and allowing legal remedy for declarations of "nonessential" during emergencies
Summary
House Bill 5 62, which would prevent government from declaring lawful occupations "nonessential" during emergencies and allow civil remedies, advanced out of committee after several lawmakers and witnesses described hardships from COVID‑era closures.
House Bill 5 62 advanced to Calendar and Rules on a 12‑to‑5 vote with 5 members present but not voting. The bill, sponsored by Representative Fritz, would prohibit political subdivisions or public officials from prohibiting the operation of a lawful occupation by labeling it "nonessential" during a declared state of emergency, and it provides civil remedies for people prevented from carrying out lawful work.
Representative Fritz said the bill grew out of stories from barbers, cosmetologists and small business owners who lost income when some…
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