Potentially interesting development for SB 373 which would prohibit a person from taking unauthorized photographs video of agricultural or industrial operations “with intent to (at its broadest) directly or indirectly harm the business relationship between the business and its customers.
It passed the Senate on a 30-20 vote. In the House, it was referred to the Committee on Agricultural and Rural Development where it passed on a 9-3 vote. Normally, the next step would be Second Reading on the floor of the House where members of the House would be entitled to propose amendments and then Third Reading where the full House votes on the bill. However, this one was referred to the House Judiciary committee. I know enough about the process to understand that this is unusual. I don’t know whether it is significant, in particular. It’s not uncommon for bills to go to Ways & Means as a second committee where the bill has a notable financial impact. My best guess would be that this is going to House Judiciary for consideration of the constitutional, free speech implications of this bill.
[…] 101, introduced by Sen. Holdman – apparently a “Son of Ag-Gag” bill – would allow agricultural operations to define their own […]