Arizona State Rep. Alexander Kolodin criticized legislative action on Senate Bill 1099, which would change defamation law in the state.
According to State Affairs Pro, SB1099 would establish statutory elements for defamation claims and include provisions for review. Proponents argue that the measure provides clarity, while critics, including Kolodin, worry it could affect protected speech. The bill has advanced through committees but faced internal Republican pushback over its potential impact on free expression.
‘When Adrian Fontes tried to take away your freedom of speech I didn’t mince words – I took him to court and won. Today thin-skinned politicians in the legislature tried to do it again. My answer was the same,’ Kolodin said on X alongside a clip of his floor remarks.
Arizona courts currently rely on common law definitions for defamation cases involving libel and slander. According to Cornell Law School, lawsuits involving public officials and figures require plaintiffs to prove actual malice under the U.S. Supreme Court’s New York Times v. Sullivan standard. SB1099 would change how media outlets, citizens, and critics engage with elected officials and policy issues.
Kolodin represents Arizona House District 3 and is a candidate for Secretary of State. He is an election lawyer who has participated in high-profile legal challenges related to election integrity and free speech issues, according to Ballotpedia.
