BILL · 2019–20 SESSION

HB 1147: First informer broadcasters

Concerning access of broadcasters to a geographic area subject to the declaration of a national, state, or local emergency.

Summary

Prohibits the seizure or confiscation of a first informer broadcaster's vehicles, fuel, food, water, or other essential materials brought into an area affected by an emergency or disaster, except as otherwise authorized by law.
Specifies that federal, state, and local agencies are not liable for any action, or failure to act, when facilitating access of a first informer broadcaster to an area affected by an emergency or disaster.

From the House Bill Report (HB 1147), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 207, Laws of 2019

AN ACT Relating to access of broadcasters to a geographic area subject to the declaration of a national, state, or local emergency;

Passed March 4, 2019

Version voted on: HB 1147

97 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	56	0	0	1
Republican	41	0	0	0

How each member voted

Passed April 13, 2019

Version voted on: HB 1147

44 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 5 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	25	0	0	4
Republican	19	0	0	1

How each member voted

Apr 30, 2019Effective date 7/28/2019.
Apr 30, 2019Chapter 207, 2019 Laws.
Apr 30, 2019Governor signed.
Apr 26, 2019Delivered to Governor.
Apr 25, 2019President signed.
Apr 18, 2019Speaker signed.
Apr 13, 2019Third reading, passed; yeas, 44; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 5.
Apr 13, 2019Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Apr 11, 2019Placed on second reading consent calendar.
Mar 21, 2019Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 20, 2019SGTE - Majority; do pass.
Mar 6, 2019First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections.
Mar 4, 2019Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
Mar 4, 2019Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Mar 1, 2019Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 1, 2019Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Jan 29, 2019HOUS - Majority; do pass.
Jan 15, 2019First reading, referred to Housing, Community Development & Veterans.

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

HB 1147 (2025–26) Civic engage./state custody · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1147 (2023–24) Capital budget · Did not pass · stalled on the House floor
HB 1147 (2021–22) Office of resiliency · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1147 (2017–18) Transport. budget 2017-2019 · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1147 (2015–16) Higher ed admissions study · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1147 (2013–14) Unlawful firearm possession · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1147 (2011–12) Animal cruelty prevention · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1147 (2009–10) Local option tax provisions · Did not pass · died in committee