A portion of SB 32 would have prohibited public libraries from providing any functions or services that are not considered a “core public function” of the library, unless they include these items in their annual budget and get them approved by the county or city in charge of approving the budget proposal. The bill’s definition of core public function was very limited and did not include plays, performances, or other events that are considered “non-essential” to a core public function.
This legislation was prone to abuse and viewpoint discrimination. For example, a county or city could choose to discriminate against LGBTQ authors by not allowing them to have book signings at the library or decline to approve drag story hours even if the local community is in support of it.
