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Committee advances bill imposing civil liability on pay-for-protester schemes despite limited data
Summary
House Bill 21-09, labeled by its sponsor as a 'mercenary rioting' bill, would create civil liability for individuals or entities that pay demonstrators who commit specified crimes; the subcommittee advanced the bill to full judiciary (6 ayes, 1 no) amid questions about whether Tennessee has documented instances of paid protesters.
Chairman Boyd presented HB 21-09, which would create civil liability for people or entities that pay demonstrators to participate in protests when demonstrators commit certain offenses (riot, aggravated riot, disorderly conduct, obstruction, harassment, civil-rights intimidation). The bill also authorizes the attorney general to bring civil actions in the public interest and to recover costs and attorneys' fees if the state prevails.
"This is the bill that I have entitled the mercenary rioting bill," the sponsor said, listing covered offenses and explaining that the measure would allow civil claims against financiers if demonstrators were paid. Representative Johnson questioned whether there is proof this occurs in Tennessee; the sponsor acknowledged law enforcement has not been instructed to collect data on paid demonstrators and that much of the evidence would be anecdotal absent new investigative practices.
The committee approved sending HB 21-09 as amended to full judiciary (6 ayes, 1 no). Record notes indicate the bill is intended to establish civil remedies and to enable state-level public-interest litigation.
