House Ed is about to consider two bills on how to handle "harmful" materials in public and school libraries #idpol #idleg
The first from Rep. Jaron Crane would allow parents to sue a library for up to $10,000 each time a library lends their child a book, movie or other item deemed "harmful" #idpol #idleg
The second from Rep. Jack Nelson would require all libraries to develop policies by October to sort books and other materials by age appropriateness or grade level. Also, have a process in place by which parents could restrict which books their kids could check out #idpol #idleg
One of the sponsors, Blaine Conzatti, from the Idaho Family Policy Center, claims "nearly 30" Idaho cities have a library that gives kids access to "smut." The survey on the group's website doesn't say how that's determined or which libraries #idpol #idleg
Rep. Lance Clow asked Conzatti if these libraries are actively lending these books to kids or if they're just on shelves. They're "mostly in the young adult or kids section" but others are in the adult section, he says #idpol #idleg
We're more than 20 minutes into this first bill with all three sponsors presenting, leaving less than an hour from public testimony #idpol #idleg
Rep. Brent Crane testifying right now. Says bill should be amended after the library association and sponsors negotiate a compromise. Says the problem is librarians have a legal exemption for distributing "obscene materials." #idpol #idleg
B. Crane: "Would we have an exemption for a school nurse who hands out methamphetamine or marijuana?" #idpol #idleg
Honestly surprised no one cut off a troll testifier. Claimed to be a member of the North American Man/Boy Love Association from Post Falls. Said all of these books could produce the next R. Kelly. Called the people in the room all old prudes #idpol #idleg
Nina Beasley from Rathdrum, who has testified on these issues before. She says Ted Bundy's serial killing spree all started with porn #idpol #idleg
Rep. Dan Garner moves to hold the bill in committee. He says if the Bible and To Kill A Mockinbird is ok, why not newer books with similar sexual content? "Are we going to say something has literary value after a certain cutoff date?" #idpol #idleg
This came after @MathiasForIdaho asked @blaine_conzatti why homosexual conduct was specifically listed in the bill. Conzatti said it was not an exhaustive list, but the bill language doesn't reflect that #idpol #idleg 
@MathiasForIdaho @blaine_conzatti Rep. Barbara Ehardt pushes back against those mentioning the Bible having sexually explicit scenes. "It is not the same as the Bible and there is absolutely no comparison." #idpol #idleg
House Ed is now considering Rep. Nelson's bill. Nina Beasley, who supported the previous bill, began yelling at the committee for killing it. "You all are supposed to be lawmakers. Why aren’t you praying to Jesus Christ? You made a big mistake." #idpol #idleg
A state trooper in the room approached Beasley after committee members objected. Yamamoto said she could say her piece #idpol #idleg
Beasley said the policies in this bill are already in place, but no books have been removed. Backers of the previously bill said the intent was never to ban books #idpol #idleg
Rep. Garner moves to send the bill to the floor, but Rep. Ehart makes a substitute motion to hold it in committee until March 25. Ehardt: "I don’t like the fact it provides protections to librarians." #idpol #idleg
Instead, Rep. Elaine Price moves to adjourn without addressing the bill. Passes by a voice vote. No action taken #idpol #idleg
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