SB 2222

This bill authorizes a person who provides compensation to a demonstrator in exchange for the demonstrator's participation in a demonstration to be vicariously liable for damages caused by the demonstrator if the demonstrator's conduct, while participati ng in the demonstration for which the person compensated the demonstrator to participate, satisfies the elements of any of the following offenses:  Riot or aggravated riot.  Disorderly conduct.  Disrupting a meeting, procession, or gathering.  Obstructing a highway or passageway, or disobeying a reasonable request or order to move.  Harassment.  Civil rights intimidation.  Desecration of a venerated object.  Civil disorder.  Disorderly conduct at funerals.  Unauthorized placement of signs or markings. In order to establish such liability, this bill requires a plaintiff to prove that a defendant provided compensation to a demonstrator in exchange for the demonstrator's participation in a demonstration and that the demonstrator's conduct satisfies the e lements of one of the offenses listed above. However, a plaintiff is not required to produce evidence of a criminal conviction against the demonstrator who received compensation from the defendant. ON MARCH 12, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2222, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 clarifies, i n order to establish liability under th e bill , that a plaintiff m ust prove by a preponderance of the evidence that a defendant provided compensation to a demonstrator in exchange for participation in a demonstration and that the demonstrator's conduct satisfies the elements of one of the offenses listed in the bill summary. This amendment also requires a plaintiff to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that th e plaintiff suffered an ascertainable loss resulting from the demon strator's conduct . STATE ACTION If the attorney general has reason to believe that a person who has provided compensation to a demonstrator may be vicariously liable for the demonstrator's conduct listed in the bill summary and that proceedings would be in the public interest, then this amendment authorizes the attorney general to bring an action in the name of the state against such person for any relief available at law or equity. The action may be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the county where the alleged conduct took place. In order to establish liability, this amendment requires the state to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that a defendant provided compensation to a demonstrator in exchange for the demonstrator's participation in a demonstration and that the demonstrator's conduct satisfies the elements of one of the offenses listed in the bill summary. However, the state i s not required to produce evidence of a criminal conviction against the demonstrator who received compensation from the defendant. This amendment authorizes t he court to make such orders or render such judgments as the court determines to be in the interest of justice. If a judgment is rendered in favor of the state under this amendment , then the court must award reasonable costs, including attorney's fees, to the state.