SB 280: Local Ordinances up in Senate Rules Committee
Overview
SB 280 (Hutson) would amend the legal standards and process for assessing the validity of municipal ordinances and impose new substantive requirements on municipalities for adopting and enforcing ordinances.
Current Status
SB 280 will be considered by the Senate Rules Committee tomorrow, Thursday, January 20 at 9:30 a.m. This is the last committee of reference before the bill goes to the Senate floor.

Amendments have been filed to SB 280 that address almost all the League’s concerns with the bill. With these amendments, the League will support SB 280.
Next Steps
No action is requested at this time. The League will continue to provide updates as this issue moves forward.
Additional Information
SB 620: Business Damages up in Senate Appropriations Committee
Overview
SB 620 (Hutson) would authorize a business that has been engaged in a lawful business in the state for at least three years to claim business damages from a local government if the government enacts or amends an ordinance or charter provision that will cause a reduction of at least 15% of the business' profit.
Current Status
SB 620 will be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee tomorrow, Thursday, January 20 at 11:30 a.m. This is the last committee of reference before the bill goes to the Senate floor.

An amendment has been filed to SB 620 provides additional exemptions and clarifications which improve the bill. However, while incremental changes are being made, the League will remain opposed because the legislation does not require businesses to demonstrate that their alleged damages are reasonably certain, directly traceable to the ordinance, and not the result of other intervening causes, and the legislation incentivizes “drive-by” lawsuits against small towns by awarding attorney fees and costs to plaintiffs even when claims are settled before lawsuits get filed.
Next Steps
No action is requested at this time. The League will continue to provide updates as this issue moves forward.
Additional Information