SALEM, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon Senate committee will hear from the public about amending the state constitution to allow cities to regulate strip clubs.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a public hearing about the topic on Monday.
The resolution is a response to the strong protections for free expression in the state constitution, which have been interpreted to protect obscenity. The measure would ask voters to amend the constitution to allow government agencies to use zoning laws to control locations where strip clubs can operate.
Supporters of the resolution say residents should have some control over whether a strip club can open in their neighborhood. But opponents say government should not be able to regulate free expression like nudity just because it doesn’t like it.
