Establishes the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act"

HB 1785 creates the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act to shield individuals and businesses from lawsuits when they speak out on matters of public concern in government proceedings. The law allows defendants to file a special motion to dismiss such claims within sixty days, which immediately pauses all related court activities, including discovery and hearings, until the motion is resolved. If the court determines the lawsuit is not valid under the act, the case is dismissed and the defendant may be awarded legal fees; however, the law does not protect lawsuits filed by government officials or those arising from commercial sales disputes. This measure applies to civil actions filed on or after August 28, 2024, and is designed to encourage free speech and press rights by reducing the burden of defending against certain types of litigation.