Senate Bill 942, Prohibit Restricting Newspaper Distribution, was heard in the House today. The bill would prohibit local governments from restricting the sale of newspapers except in the middle of roads or where it would impede traffic or pose a danger. Rep. Garland Pierce proposed an amendment that broadened the definition of ?news media? to include almost all newspapers. The broadening amendment passed after a lot of debate 102-8.
The amended bill was debated. Rep. Skip Stam commented, ?this is a very dangerous bill,? citing that rights of way along sidewalks were not intended to be used to set up street vendors. The vote on the bill was 85 yes; 27 no.
Because this senate bill was amended in the House, the bill will go to a conference committee to work out the differences. With an anticipated adjournment next week, the conference committee will have to work quickly if they hope to get a final vote.
