Senate Committee Pushes Through Library Restriction Bill Without Hearing From Opposition

By Greg LaRose, Louisiana Illuminator

April 27, 2023

16:25
News Story

• Govt + Politics
• Legislative
• LGBTQ

Senate committee pushes through library restriction bill without hearing from opposition

By: Greg LaRose - April 27, 2023 4:25 pm

(Canva image)

A proposal that would establish a system for Louisiana public libraries to restrict children’s access to content deemed sexually explicit was advanced from a state Senate committee Thursday before any opponents could speak out against it.

Senate Bill 7, by Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek, would require libraries to create a card system so parents could prevent their children from checking out books deemed inappropriate. Libraries would also have to adopt policy language to limit minors’ access to material that describes “sexual conduct,” which is defined in five ensuing paragraphs.

Only three people had shared comments in favor of the bill, when Sen. Bodi White, R-Central, called for a vote with many more proponents and opponents waiting for their turn. Chairman Sen. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, received no response from members when he asked if there was any objection to White’s motion, and there was silence once again when Fields asked if anyone opposed advancing Cloud’s proposal to the full Senate.

In her closing remarks before Fields called for the final vote, Cloud suggested time constraints were behind White’s motion, but her bill was the final item on the committee’s agenda, the Senate had already convened as a whole in the morning, and every other committee meeting held Thursday was adjourned.

Greg Hilburn with the USA Today Network posted on Twitter that White was overheard on a live microphone telling other committee members, “They can speak without me. I’m leaving. I’ve got 14 people waiting on me.”

After making motion, Sen. White was heard speaking to colleague with hot mic: ‘They can speak without me. I’m leaving. I’ve got 14 people waiting on me.’ #lagov #lalege https://t.co/0wqiYLmaeX
— Greg Hilburn (@GregHilburn1) April 27, 2023

Public speakers must fill out cards if they wish to speak in favor of or against a bill. There were 13 supporters and 11 opponents who planned to address the committee, Shannon Heckt with WVLA-TV reported on Twitter.

The witness card count for SB 7 was:
49 green cards, 13 of which wished to speak
34 red cards, 11 of which wished to speak
Only three people in favor of the bill were able to speak before testimony was cut off #lalege https://t.co/stCR4WFx61
— Shannon Heckt (@ShannonHeckt) April 27, 2023

Peyton Rose Michelle, executive director of Louisiana Trans Advocates, was among the opponents who planned to speak. Books with LGBTQ+ themes are among those frequently targeted for removal from local libraries. Although Cloud said her bill wasn’t aimed at “viewpoint ideologies” or censoring certain communities, Michelle said the committee’s actions expressed the exact opposite message.

“We’re talking about a bill about library books censorship,” Michelle said, “and here we are censoring the voices of those that you didn’t want to listen to, even though that’s their job to listen.”

Michelle said the tone for Thursday’s committee hearing might have been set the day before when the House Education Committee advanced a “Don’t Say Gay” bill that would restrict discussions of sexual preference and gender identity in K-12 schools. That hearing involved lengthy testimony from both sides of the issue.

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Cloud’s bill survived a slew of amendments from Fields that would have significantly watered down its contents. Bill Jones, a member of the Lincoln Parish Library Board of Control and a former state senator, explained the proposed changes to the committee. The Lincoln board formed a committee specifically to oppose Cloud’s bill and others that seek to remove their review authority.

Foremost among the proposed amendments were a revision of Cloud’s definition of what constitutes sexually explicit material and revocation of the authority the bill gives to local parish governing bodies to withhold public money from libraries that don’t comply.

In the place of that language, Jones wanted to give local library review boards the authority to define what they consider “prurient” material that he said has an excessive or obsessive interest in sexual matters. Such definitions would be determined according to “community standards,” he said.

Jones further argued that giving a parish council or police jury control over voter-approved library funds, especially in areas where library districts have taxing authority, could be illegal.

The committee rejected Fields’ substantive amendments, allowing Cloud to proceed with her bill intact.

One of the amendments would have delayed implementation of the card system until the start of 2025. Jones had said many local libraries and their review boards don’t have the time or technology to start one by the mandated Jan. 1, 2024, deadline.

Committee member Sen. Katrina Jackson, D-Monroe, was not present when White made his call for a vote on the bill. Before leaving, she stated she supported Cloud’s proposal with the amendments Fields had offered.

Before the final vote, Cloud expressed regrets to people who had traveled from all over to support her bill but did not mention the opposition.

There was no immediate response to messages left for Cloud and White.

Lincoln Parish library board forms team to fight state proposals

Cloud’s bill is one of multiple proposals targeting libraries with the backing of Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is running for governor. Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, has sponsored legislation similar to Cloud’s in the House.

Michelle said she and other opponents will continue to fight both proposals.

“I think they made our case easier by censoring our testimony,” she said, “and showing they’re fearful and that they’re not interested in… the censorship of who their constituents are.”

The Lincoln library board committee also opposes a bill from Rep. Paul Hollis, R-Covington, that would allow parish governing bodies to remove library review board members before their term ends.

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The Louisiana Illuminator is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization driven by its mission to cast light on how decisions are made in Baton Rouge and how they affect the lives of everyday Louisianians, particularly those who are poor or otherwise marginalized.