Bill > HB50

This bill aims to provide stronger protections for government-owned statues, monuments, plaques, banners, and other commemorative symbols by defining what constitutes an "agency" (any state or local government entity), a "monument" (which includes various forms of commemoration honoring military or citizen service), and an "officer" (any representative of an agency). It makes it unlawful to damage, deface, remove, or alter these public symbols, and establishes that individuals or entities causing damage will be liable for the full cost of repair or replacement, plus attorney fees and court costs. The bill also allows for legal action to prevent violations and grants individuals or entities affected by violations by an agency the right to seek injunctive relief after giving the agency 120 days to remedy the issue. While it prohibits the removal or alteration of these symbols, it allows for relocation if necessary for construction projects, provided the monument is moved to a similarly prominent and accessible location within the same county, and not to a museum, cemetery, or mausoleum unless it was originally placed there.