Capitol Letters: ‘Harmful’ material in libraries, partisan school board races
By Ryan Suppe, State Politics Reporter
The House Education Committee yesterday considered competing bills that seek to restrict “harmful” material accessible to children in school and public libraries.
The committee rejected House Bill 139, which would have allowed parents to sue schools and libraries if employees gave a child “harmful” material or if the institution failed to take “reasonable steps to restrict access” to “harmful” material for minors. Material with literary, artistic, political or scientific value would be exempt.
Committee members, including six Republicans, cited concerns over the severity of the damages awarded to successful lawsuits — $10,000 — and vagueness on how exceptions would be interpreted.
“Who decides whether it’s literary value or not?” said Rep. Greg Lanting, R-Twin Falls. “Who decides for sure what’s obscene material? Do we have to take everything to a judge to get a final decision?”
Lawmakers punt decision on competing libraries bill
The committee chose to take no action on House Bill 227, which would direct public school and library leaders to establish standards restricting minors’ access to “harmful” material.
Under the bill, sponsored by Rep. Jack Nelsen, R-Jerome, schools and libraries would be required to have a process through which parents can challenge library books they find objectionable during a public meeting.
It would also require that parents who consent to their children obtaining a library card acknowledge that it’s their responsibility to oversee materials their child accesses at the library.
“I think of it as parental responsibility, which in my book is right where it should be,” Nelsen said.
The lack of action on House Bill 227 means it could later return to the committee for another hearing.
Read my full story on the competing bills here.
Bill making school board races partisan stalls
A bill that would make school board trustee elections partisan stalled in a House Committee yesterday.
Sponsored by Rep. Joe Alfieri, R-Coeur d’Alene, the bill would cut trustee terms from four to two years, and it would require school board candidates to declare their partisan affiliations.
Alfieri told the House State Affairs Committee that partisan declarations would let voters know a candidate’s “philosophy and approach to a job.”
“I think we could all agree that recently there’s been a fair amount of … feedback at the school district level,” he said. “Accountability to the public is better served with a shorter term.”
During a public hearing, testimony overwhelmingly opposed the bill. The Idaho School Boards Association, Rural Schools Association and Association of School Administrators are against the proposal.
“Educating the young to become a productive citizen and fulfill their potential is not an ideal owned by either or any political party,” said Quinn Perry, policy and government affairs director for the School Boards Association.
Rep. Kevin Andrus, R-Lava Hot Springs, said his constituents are concerned more regular turnover on a school board could disrupt its work.
“School board members have a hard time adjusting and learning, and they feel like in two years they can barely even learn their job,” he said.
Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, recommended amending the bill to stagger school board elections, so an entire slate of trustees wouldn’t be ousted in one election. Alfieri said he would be open to such an amendment, and the committee voted to hold the bill while an amendment is crafted.
What else happened?
- A bill that would let Idaho execute inmates by firing squad has been sent to the House floor for a vote. Building out a facility for those executions would cost the state $750,000, Kevin Fixler reported.
What to expect today
8 a.m. House Education. The committee is scheduled to consider proposals creating school voucher programs, which would allow private school families to claim public education funds. A public hearing on a bill reforming school restraint and seclusion policies is on the docket.
9 a.m. House State Affairs. Lawmakers plan to hear public testimony on a bill that would ban drag shows on public property.
3 p.m. Senate Local Government and Taxation. Public hearings for three bills dealing with city annexations are on the docket.
Find the full list of committee meetings and agendas for the House here, and for the Senate here.
What else happened?
Keep track of high-profile bills as they go through the legislative process. You can find yesterday’s updates here.
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This story was originally published March 2, 2023 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Capitol Letters: ‘Harmful’ material in libraries, partisan school board races."
