Two Texas Book Bills You Can Act On Today!

The 89th Texas Legislative Session is in full swing. We're seeing some movement on several bills that would have significant negative impacts on public school and municipal libraries, booksellers, librarians and educators. Texans continue to face unprecedented threats to our freedom to read, but we are also seeing strong opposition to lots of the bad bills being debated and considered. We have no idea what bills will make it over the finish line and become law, but we know we are proud of the response we have seen our fellow Texans raise so far. Let's look at some of the bills we are tracking, and identify some steps you can take today to continue fighting against book bans and censorship in Texas, today! 

HB 3225 was voted out of committee despite strong opposition from hundreds of Texans. 

Here's what Texas Freedom to Read Project co-founder, Frank Strong, had to say about the response to HB 3225 on his Substack, Anger & Clarity. 

We asked you to stand up and speak out against this bill, and you delivered. More than 750 of you sent emails to the committee through Texas Freedom to Read’s website platform. More than 350 of you wrote public comments opposing the bill. Countless numbers of you called and sent emails on your own.

And on the day of the hearing, 190 of you—filling four full pages in the legislative record—registered as witnesses in opposition to the bill.

This was a statewide effort, not just among book-loving individuals, but also organizations including the Texas Institute of Letters, the ACLU of Texas, Authors Against Book Bans, Texas FReadom Fighters, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, and many more. Representatives expressed surprise at the sheer volume of emails and calls they got on the bill.

But it wasn’t just the quantity of comments that was so amazing—as evidenced by the public comments and in-person testimony, you all were so thoughtful, informed, and impassioned in describing why libraries matter for young people and what harms HB3225 would do.

Visit Frank's Substack to watch some clips of the public testimony Texans shared with the committee.

Despite the public outcry and opposition to HB 3225, the bill was voted out of committee 10-5 with Democrat Representative Richard Raymond voting with Republicans to advance the bill. 

Now we need you to contact your Texas House Representative to let them know you support your local public library, and oppose HB 3225. 

HB 1375 targets and bullies private booksellers, by making it easier for book banners to raise frivolous lawsuits over false claims. 

Brought to you by the "removing books from school libraries, and public libraries, are not book bans because Texans can still buy whatever books they want" folks, HB 1375 authored by Representative Nate Schatzline relates to the civil liability for obscenity. 

Two years ago, here's what Nate had to say in response to concerns raised by someone on X over banning books in Texas schools. 

Now, of course, it appears Nate has changed his mind. HB 1375 would limit parents' "power to purchase whatever books they want" by making it harder for small bookstores, and maybe even big box retailers, to sell books someone *might* deem "harmful to minors." HB 1375 goes after private retailers, by broadening the circumstances under which a private business may be found commercially liable for damages a person claims they experience if they are exposed to material they deem "harmful to minors." The language in this bill is confusing and hard to follow. But the way it reads to us, is that book banners and other bad actors would have more ground to stand on to bring frivolous claims against retail businesses- private booksellers- in our communities.

We worry this bill would allow parents who (falsely) claim Shannon Hale's Itty Bitty Kitty Corn and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye are "harmful to minors" to claim their children are "damaged" by simply being exposed to those books when they walk into a book shop- or a big box store- displaying the books within eye sight or reach of a child. How are local independent bookshops supposed to guarantee a child doesn't accidentally pick up a copy of an adult book that contains sexual content, or a children's book depicting the Virginia Flag-  that happens to be on a shelf, or on a display within reach of a child? And isn't monitoring our children's behavior and their access to information and books, our job as parents anyways? 

These kinds of lawsuits- even if they're baseless- would expose these beloved small businesses and big box retailers- to costly legal battles that could damage their reputations, ability to do business in our communities, and ultimately drive them out of business, or at least out of Texas. 

Let the Texas House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Representatives know why Texas book-lovers oppose HB 1375.

1. Texans should submit a written public comment AGAINST HB 1375 using the House Public Comment form.
2. Testify in person, or register in person opposition, during the committee hearing in Austin, on Wednesday, April 23 at 8AM in Capitol Extension room E2.030. In person testimony will be limited to 2 minutes. 
3. Email and/or call the Texas House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Representatives and tell them why you oppose HB 1375, and ask them vote against moving the bill out of committee.

We will continue to update you on the movement of bills, and issue calls to action as they arise. We are immensely grateful for all of your time, energy and on-going commitment to defending the freedom to read in Texas.