Senate passes Public Expression Protection Act to safeguard free speech

The Utah General Legislative Session on February 1, 2023, featured significant discussions on two key pieces of legislation: Senate Bill 18, the Public Expression Protection Act, and House Bill 182, concerning interventions for reading difficulties.

Senate Bill 18, sponsored by Senator Bramble and supported by Representative Malloy, aims to safeguard freedom of speech by preventing individuals from using the legal system to retaliate against others for their social media expressions. Representative Malloy highlighted that the bill addresses instances where individuals faced lawsuits simply for liking posts online. If a judge dismisses such a case, the plaintiff would be required to cover the defendant's attorney fees and costs. The bill received overwhelming support, passing the House with a unanimous vote of 71-0.

House Bill 182, introduced by Representative Walter, proposes the repeal of the interventions for reading difficulties program, which is set to sunset on July 1, 2024. The new legislation would move this sunset date to July 1, 2023, allowing for the completion of any remaining funds within the current fiscal year. This repeal is expected to save the state $350,000 this year, as the necessity for the program has diminished following the passing of Senate Bill 127 in the previous session. House Bill 182 also passed unanimously, with a vote of 70-0.

Both bills will now proceed to the Senate for further consideration, marking a productive session focused on legislative measures aimed at protecting individual rights and optimizing state resources.