[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6640751,"mediaKeyId","2549858-ef44709bb1e2203e699cb556d4ac0672","parentId",2549858,"title","Committee backs bill to penalize interference with legislative proceedings; sponsors emphasize limits on protests outside chambers","audioSeconds",496,"startMs",221000,"endMs",717000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549858-ef44709bb1e2203e699cb556d4ac0672&start=221&end=717","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549858-ef44709bb1e2203e699cb556d4ac0672/thumbnail_221000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6640751/Kentucky/Committee-backs-bill-to-penalize-interference-with-legislative-proceedings-sponsors-emphasize-limits-on-protests-outside-chambers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640751-a7da16e299013a9072e56dc268e315d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447970&Signature=iVpAPMgP~MOlQ6NIfbBq7FO6pmv57~TDcMKqeMDC5iKfuNRHExf13GAqanHcww5NGO9MRFGW805cFxvmo6mQlysKMRuBxyDsPIdp4ucGm~DCH7o2GW1trttMuoURIR93sgXYx3BcetVoiZgXaIpQDyrw~Wwzxvk58ilY~sDs7COmK5hNu-Cpk3UDxcmtUgDpEzEqv4-EfXW9cF3gcpf54GFkzo5BgUcXZ6YcJ9gtBYH4bo8d4DBdlPA9lAEmPybPxkkQDcC7GNGBC0cEYFnTI4XDdnIGiiONk9McAfOZQFlg7nM4nVh-m8YznUdVLjNdhBKFXiUEbuPcgtE2wR1oOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kentucky Legislature","date","2025-03-11T21:56:33.95Z","article","House Bill 399, introduced by Representative John Blanton, was reported favorably out of the Judiciary Committee after presenters said the measure is intended to prevent conduct that shuts down legislative business in committee rooms and galleries.

“There's nothing wrong with protesting. As a matter of fact, I support protesting,” Blanton told the committee. “However, when that protest moves beyond that within our committee rooms and within our galleries to where it shuts down our ability to have our voices heard ... this bill does provide equivalent protection for the legislative branch.”

Blanton said the bill would make obstructing or impeding a legislator or legislative employee an offense, with penalties that escalate on repeat violations. He told the committee that under the bill “on the third offense, it would be a class d felony.”

Mike Templeman, the sergeant at arms for the senate, told members the bill clarifies enforcement authority for police officers “upon the call of the speaker, the sergeant of arms, the president of the senate, or a committee chair,” and that it would allow officers to act when called by legislative leadership to address disruptions in committee rooms, galleries or off-campus committee locations.

During committee discussion Senator Thomas said he respected Representative Blanton but warned the bill’s language — including terms such as “obstructs” or “impedes” — could be applied to situations such as large rallies outside the chamber. “I can't commit to voting for this on the floor. I would need some time to think about it,” Thomas said, explaining his aye vote to advance the bill to the floor.

Senator Wheeler moved to report the bill favorably and Senator Carroll seconded. A roll call recorded ayes from members present; the chair announced, “House bill 3 99 is reported favorably with the expression of opinion the same should pass.”

The committee recorded no amendments in the transcript; discussion focused on the scope of the bill and who may authorize enforcement actions. The bill now moves forward with the committee’s recommendation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary (3-11-25) - Upon Adjournment","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 399, sponsored by Representative John Blanton, was reported favorably by the Judiciary Committee. Sponsors said the bill targets people who disrupt committee rooms or galleries and provides for arrest upon the call of legislative leadership; some members expressed concern about broad language that could capture peaceful protest.","taxTitle","Judiciary, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Kentucky","taxId",29204,"location","Kentucky","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6640754,"Committee reports bill to define squatting, streamline removal of unauthorized occupants",170,40000,210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549858-ef44709bb1e2203e699cb556d4ac0672&start=40&end=210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549858-ef44709bb1e2203e699cb556d4ac0672/thumbnail_40000.jpg","/articles/6640754/Kentucky/Committee-reports-bill-to-define-squatting-streamline-removal-of-unauthorized-occupants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640754-7b79a4956a1f04f402406f81dfc0ccfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447970&Signature=kz2CVNpnz1CWqADrVTP7HK6~C7-pg9I008B7jvda65nLl5B49DQDUQ7kQ6F1n~4j8H9wFgY6gnIZPSb81q4-dXG751SIETc-1CKQmkT4WOL2jI6tdnF1DZVq5a5lXQ7Z6K163wcRCsCE04rjXuviGhI0rNeUfvfQYOvQ5k8F8Xf-S~j9qkolZJ8vUwqsMe-6LtLo4AcsxEx~G9SciOyrUW6xNwzpalwBPbM~InUqxPgiu44c8yz8C1OnmgYy5V4uZ-d5TJfkqKxVtzt55IDOVpwT1nyodfxB1iU-6~f~jqtqNcBKvFCl5ewg0tUlUVPGRa41Ht9~PUNA-JpKvkAWRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 10, described by sponsors as a measure to address unauthorized occupants of private property, was reported favorably out of the Judiciary Committee on a voice and roll-call vote.

Representative Emily Calloway, who presented the bill on behalf of sponsors Representative Mary Anne Proctor and Representative Wood, told the committee, “we're bringing this bill as squatting has become a big problem here in the Commonwealth.” Calloway said the bill covers “real property includes home, your barns, your sheds, vacant property, farm property, railroads, commercial” and would create a streamlined process to remove unauthorized occupants and list penalties for squatters.

The bill adds a statutory definition of “squatter” in the referenced KRS section cited during the hearing and preserves existing penalty thresholds tied to criminal mischief provisions. As presented, Calloway said the bill retains the current approach to criminal mischief: damages of $500 or less remain classified consistent with existing misdemeanor provisions and damage of $500 or more is treated consistent with a class D felony under the state's criminal-mischief framework.

Senator Wheeler moved to report the bill favorably, with Senator Neimis seconding. During the roll call the committee recorded aye votes from Senator Carroll, Senator Deneen, Senator Neal, Senator Neimis, Senator Reid, Senator Stivers, Senator Thomas, Senator Wheeler and Chair Storm. The committee chair announced, “House bill 10 is reported favorably with the expression the same should pass.”

The committee did not take additional amendments during the session. The bill now proceeds according to the legislative calendar as a committee recommendation that the House bill should pass.

Votes at a glance: Motion to report House Bill 10 favorably — moved by Senator Wheeler; seconded by Senator Neimis; roll-call recorded unanimous ayes from members present; committee reported the bill favorably (recommendation that the bill should pass).","The Judiciary Committee reported House Bill 10 favorably after sponsors said the measure would define \"squatter,\" clarify covered real property and align penalties with existing criminal mischief statutes; the committee voted to recommend passage.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee backs bill to penalize interference with legislative proceedings; sponsors emphasize limits on protests outside chambers

Committee reports bill to define squatting, streamline removal of unauthorized occupants