Bill: SB 627, 84(R) - 2015
Committee
Senate State Affairs
Vote Recommendation
| Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
| Yes |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Positive |
Author(s)
Joan Huffman
Bill Caption
Relating to certain defenses to libel actions.
Fiscal Notes
No fiscal impact.
Bill Analysis
SB 627 would amend code to allow the media defendant in a libel suit to use accurate reporting of third party allegations as defense to a libel suit.
Vote Recommendation Notes
The original bill, as filed, would have codified journalistic privilege against a libel suit for reporting third party allegations on matters of public concern. While the committee substitute is a step in the right direction, the original bill was the best version for achieving the goals of the bill. This bill still does affirm the principle of individual liberty by protecting the right of journalists to freely publish allegations from a third party and being able to use that for defense against an unwarranted lawsuit , therefore we support this legislation.
