This law would criminalize librarians, expand state control over local libraries, and cost taxpayers millions. 

Following the narrow passage of Senate Bill 2307 by the North Dakota House of Representatives in a 49–45 vote, Right to Read North Dakota is calling on Governor Kelly Armstrong to veto the bill, which would impose unnecessary censorship mandates on public and school libraries, increase state control over local governance, and create new legal liabilities for educators and librarians.

“We are disappointed and frustrated that the legislature ignored the overwhelming concerns of library professionals, legal experts, and community members,” said Randi Monley and Mariah Ralston, Co-Chairs of Right to Read ND. “But we are not stopping. We are urging Governor Armstrong to veto this harmful and unnecessary bill.”

Key concerns with SB 2307:

  • Criminal liability for librarians and educators: The bill would allow prosecution of library professionals simply doing their jobs.

  • Loss of local control: SB 2307 substitutes state mandates for the judgment of parents, educators, and locally elected officials who already govern their libraries and schools.

  • Duplicative and wasteful spending: The bill carries a $2 million implementation cost for online filtering systems already covered under federal law (CIPA). This cost does not account for additional local burdens such as library remodeling, litigation, and staffing.

  • Unneeded censorship framework: Existing North Dakota law (HB 1205 (2023)) already defines and restricts obscene material in libraries. SB 2307 adds no meaningful protections and creates confusing new standards instead.

Appropriations Committee Said “Do Not Pass”

Before reaching the House floor, SB 2307 was reviewed by the House Appropriations Committee, which voted 22–1 to give the bill a “Do Not Pass” recommendation. In their deliberations, committee members raised serious concerns about the lack of stakeholder engagement, the rushed introduction of a last-minute policy amendment, and the bill’s significant cost to taxpayers. Their bipartisan vote sent a strong message: this bill is fiscally irresponsible and poorly conceived.

Despite that clear warning, a narrow majority of the full House chose to advance the bill. Now, the responsibility falls to Governor Armstrong to prevent this flawed legislation from becoming law.

“This bill infringes on our individual freedoms and violates the North Dakota tradition of small government and local decision-making,” said Monley. “It is not the role of the state to overrule parents and local leaders about what books should be on the shelves.”

Right to Read ND is asking all North Dakotans to contact Governor Armstrong and urge a veto of SB 2307. To take action, visit: RightToReadND.org/VetoSB2307