Bill > HB2109

This bill establishes a new legal pathway for individuals and the state to seek damages from those who pay others to participate in demonstrations, if the paid participants engage in illegal conduct. Specifically, it defines "compensation" as any payment or valuable consideration, "demonstration" as a public gathering to protest or express political views, and "demonstrator" as someone who personally attends such a gathering. Under this bill, a person or entity that compensates a demonstrator can be held responsible for damages caused by that demonstrator if their actions meet the legal requirements for certain offenses, such as riot, disorderly conduct, or obstructing a highway, among others listed in the bill. To prove liability, a plaintiff must show by a preponderance of the evidence (meaning it's more likely than not) that compensation was provided for participation in a demonstration and that the demonstrator's conduct constituted one of the specified offenses, resulting in an ascertainable loss to the plaintiff; importantly, a criminal conviction of the demonstrator is not required. The bill also allows the state's Attorney General to bring legal action in such cases and recover costs, including attorney fees, if successful. This new law applies to actions occurring on or after its effective date.