Free Expression Legislation Update
ABA’s Advocacy team has submitted written testimony against two bills so far this week, which if passed would lead to book censorship:
- New Hampshire's SB 434 is a near-clone of last year’s vetoed book ban bill.
- Utah's HB 197S01 is a bill that would mandate AI book reviews before schools acquire instructional and library materials and threaten liability for material vendors
Both these bills are early in their process and may present additional opportunities for testimony. Make sure you are subscribed to our updates on bookweb.org/advocacy so we can keep you informed!
Towson University Researcher Seeks Bookseller-Advocate Interviews
Why and how do you advocate for free access to knowledge amid current censorship efforts?
Dr. Chantal Francois, at Towson University in Maryland, invites you to participate in the research project, “Subversive Literacies: Understanding Current Advocacy for Reading Freely” to tell your story. Participation involves one Zoom interview, either individually or in a focus group with people you know. The interview will last 45 – 60 minutes, and participants will receive $40.
For more information, please contact Dr. Francois at [email protected] and copy [email protected].
White House Lowers Tariffs on Indian Products.
Tariffs continue to shift, with potential impact on bookstores.
On February 2, the White House announced a trade deal with India that cuts US tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50% in exchange for India halting Russian oil purchases and lowering trade barriers. Visit BookWeb for the latest tariff updates.