Senate approves Public Expression Protection Act with amendment to align court procedure

Senate Bill 18, titled the Public Expression Protection Act, was considered and passed by the Utah State Senate on Feb. 2, 2023. Sponsor Senator Bramble explained the House-substituted amendment addresses an issue involving appellate procedure and the courts’ Rule 4. He said the amendment was an agreed change to coordinate the statute with the courts so that the judicial process will comport with the bill’s intent regarding free-speech protections.

On the floor Bramble described how referring to Rule 4 without coordination could prompt the courts to alter the rule; he told members the courts are already in the process of adjusting Rule 4 to align with the bill. After that explanation no senators raised substantive objections on the floor, the motion to uncircle and to concur carried, and the Senate proceeded to a roll-call vote that passed the bill. The presiding officer announced the bill will be returned to the House for the Speaker’s signature.

The transcript records the sponsor’s floor explanation about coordination with the appellate process but does not include the underlying statutory text or the court’s written response. The sponsor’s statement on Rule 4 indicates interbranch coordination; further details about the rule change or its timing were not given during the floor remarks. The Senate’s action was procedural and the floor record shows the panel adopted the amendment and approved final passage.