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Committee backs bill to penalize interference with legislative proceedings; sponsors emphasize limits on protests outside chambers
Summary
House Bill 399, sponsored by Representative John Blanton, was reported favorably by the Judiciary Committee. Sponsors said the bill targets people who disrupt committee rooms or galleries and provides for arrest upon the call of legislative leadership; some members expressed concern about broad language that could capture peaceful protest.
House Bill 399, introduced by Representative John Blanton, was reported favorably out of the Judiciary Committee after presenters said the measure is intended to prevent conduct that shuts down legislative business in committee rooms and galleries.
“There's nothing wrong with protesting. As a matter of fact, I support protesting,” Blanton told the committee. “However, when that protest moves beyond that within our committee rooms and within our galleries to where it shuts down our ability to have our voices heard ...…
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