House panel gives ‘do pass’ to bill tying state library aid to written collection policies

House Education Committee voted to give a “do pass” recommendation to House Bill 27, a proposal that would require public libraries that receive state funding to have written collection development and materials-reconsideration policies and to follow those locally adopted procedures.

Supporters told the committee the bill is intended to protect patrons’ access to a wide range of materials and to shield librarians from coordinated removal campaigns; opponents said the measure risks undermining local control and could tie funding to compliance with standards developed outside the community.

Valerie Nye, library director at Santa Fe Community College, told the committee she has worked in libraries for more than 30 years and supported HB 27 because it “safeguards the essential roles that libraries have in providing free and open access to information.” Nye described a local example in which staff followed reconsideration procedures and the community engaged in discussion rather than removing materials.

More than two dozen supporters appeared in person and on Zoom to urge passage. Bernadette Hardy of NM Native Vote described the International District Library in Albuquerque as a community hub that provides language materials and social services. Mark Lupinetti, president of the Santa Fe Public Library advisory board, told the committee library staff need legal protections after citing examples from other states where librarians faced criminal or civil penalties in challenges to materials. Tatiana Prieto of the ACLU of New Mexico said book bans have disproportionately targeted LGBTQ+ people and people of color.

Opponents warned that the bill, as written, is vague in places and could shift decisionmaking away from local boards. Joseph McKenzie, library director for Bernalillo County, said the bill’s language does not specify who would “approve” a library’s collection policy and warned that the bill would give weight to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, an external professional statement. Jody Hendricks of New Mexico Family Action Movement argued the measure would override local parents and community control.

State Librarian Eli Giney answered committee questions about internet filtering and said most public library computers follow the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which requires filters for certain content on public-access computers; he also said each library’s written policies determine circulation and checkout rules. During questioning Representative Vincent pressed whether the bill applied to school libraries; the sponsor clarified the measure applies to public libraries, not school libraries.

Following public testimony and committee discussion, Representative Garrett moved a do-pass recommendation on HB 27. The committee recorded a do-pass recommendation by a vote of 7 to 4. The bill will be scheduled for the next chamber steps.

Though supporters repeatedly cited the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and national tracking of challenges, opponents emphasized that the bill’s enforcement mechanism—conditioning state funding on following local written policies—raises questions about who would adjudicate disputes and how local boards’ autonomy would be preserved.

Votes at a glance: do-pass recommendation on House Bill 27, motion moved by Representative Garrett; committee recorded a do-pass recommendation by a vote of 7 to 4.