HB 25-1225: Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The"Freedom From Intimidation In Elections Act" is created and prohibits any individual from intimidating, threatening, or coercing or attempting to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any individual for: Voting or attempting to vote; Urging or aiding any individual to vote or attempt to vote; Exercising any powers or duties to administer elections, including vote counting, canvassing, and election certification; or The individual's status as a past or present participant in the administration of elections. The act specifies that an individual who carries a visible firearm, imitation firearm, or toy firearm while interacting with or observing any of the specified election-related activities is presumed, in the absence of any affirmative showing to the contrary by a preponderance of the evidence, to have engaged in intimidation prohibited by the act; except that the presumption does not apply to a law enforcement officer or a uniformed security guard acting within the scope of their authority, and mere possession of a holstered firearm by such an officer or guard while interacting with or observing any of the specified election-related activities does not violate the Act. An aggrieved individual, an election official, a designated election official, the secretary of state, or the attorney general may enforce the provisions of the act. A suit brought by an election official, a designated election official, the secretary of state, or the attorney general does not preclude a contemporaneous private suit by an aggrieved individual to enforce the provisions of the act. In a suit to enforce the provisions of the act, a court may grant relief enjoining the use or carrying of firearms by a defendant beyond the existing prohibitions on using or carrying firearms in or near polling locations drop boxes and in or on the property of ceratin types of government buildings. To prevail in a suit to enforce the provisions of the act, a plaintiff is not required to prove that a defendant intended to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any individual, except to prove an attempt to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, but a court may consider evidence of intent in determining the appropriate relief. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 37

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 12, 2025Governor Signed
2. May 6, 2025Signed by the Speaker of the House
3. May 6, 2025Signed by the President of the Senate
4. May 6, 2025Sent to the Governor
5. May 1, 2025House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
6. April 29, 2025House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
7. April 28, 2025Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
8. April 25, 2025Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor
9. April 21, 2025Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 04/25/2025 - No Amendments
10. April 15, 2025Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
11. April 3, 2025Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
12. April 1, 2025House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Showing 12 most recent of 17 actions. Full history