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Ashley Hayes ReportingLetting your voice be heard at the state Capitol complex may have just gotten a little easier.
Yesterday the board in charge of making free speech rules made changes to drop some old restrictions. The new rule means 24 hours of free speech, at least outside the building.
Inside, Utahns' voices will be heard from 8 am to 8 pm, or as long as the building is open.
Passing out leaflets is allowed everywhere, though it must not prevent people from using sidewalks or entering the building.
You still cannot leave flyers on cars. And appeals to decisions on demonstrations are assured within two working days.
In the past, activities have been limited to the hours between 7 am and 11 pm.
Leaflets were allowed only in specific areas. And there was no appeals process for denials of free-speech activities.
The board in charge of making the rules voted unanimously on the new free speech rules yesterday. They will publish the guidelines November first and Utahns will have 30 days to let officials know whether they want more changes.
If no revisions are made, the new free speech rules will go into effect December first.
The rules apply only to areas where the Capitol Preservation Board has authority, meaning the new rules don't apply to the temporary House building where the Legislature meets.
Board members hope Utahns will approve the new rules and will find free speech at the Capitol meets the guidelines set by the Constitution.
