HB 1085 authored by Indiana State Representative Craig Fry (D-Mishawaka) seeks to limit the restrictions enacted by homeowners associations on political yard sign placement. Many subdivisions in the Greater South Bend area have enacted ordinances against yard signs. Some neighborhoods in Granger have placed penalties of up to $500 per day in some cases for residents who choose to place a political sign in their yard. Rep. Fry believes that the situation has gotten out of hand.
Those who oppose the bill cite arguments that it can make neighborhoods look messy and could sometimes drive down property values. Proponents of the bill, however, say that Rep. Fry is taking necessary steps to protect citizen's 1st amendment rights; especially that of "political" free speech. Supporters argue that homeowner's associations have chose either enforce or relax these regulations based on their own political agendas.
The Journal believes that political free speech in particular has been upheld numerous times by judicial precedence in this state. HB 1085 is important to protecting homeowner's associations from potential legal action by those forced to pay fines. As for property values, if someone decides not to move in next to a house with different politics, so be it. What kind of nation are we if we cannot publicy express our own political views.
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