DeSantis Denies Florida Book Ban Claims, Backs Limiting ‘Bad-Faith Objections' | NBC6
Gov. Ron DeSantis supported a state legislative proposal that he said is designed to limit "bad-faith objections" to school library books and instructional materials, and he called claims that Florida bans books a "false narrative." A House bill includes a $100 “processing” fee for unsuccessful book objections. The proposed fees would apply to people who do “not have a student enrolled in the school where the material is located” and have “unsuccessfully objected to five materials during the calendar year.”

A 1A Group Sees a Small Victory After DeSantis Calls to Curb School Book Bans | WUSF
“The governor is, in his way, acknowledging that there’s been harm done and something needs to change. We agree with that. We’ve been saying that. We’ve been saying that from the rooftops,” said PEN America Florida director Katie Blankenship.

Librarians Could Be Criminally Charged Over 'Obscene' Books in West Virginia Bill | ABC News
The West Virginia legislature is considering a bill that would remove protections for librarians in case minors come across books that contain what the state considers "obscene" material at their facilities.

Georgia Senate Considers Controls on School Libraries and Criminal Charges for Librarians | AP
A proposal that would require school libraries to notify parents of every book their child checks out was advanced by Georgia senators, while a proposal to subject school librarians to criminal charges for distributing material containing obscenity waits in the wings.

Utah Bill That Requires Statewide Removal of School Library Books Deemed Pornographic Close to Passage | DeseretNews
The Utah Senate passed legislation that calls for the removal of school library books from collections statewide if three school districts or two school districts and five charter schools determine the materials are pornographic or indecent.

Book Ban Prohibition Bill Dies In House As Session Comes To A Close | Rio Rancho Observer
As the New Mexico Legislative Session ended Feb. 15, the bill that would have prohibited book banning died in the State House of Representatives.

Oregon Lawmakers Consider Bill to Prevent Book Bans | Axios Portland
A bill aimed at preventing book bans is expected to receive a vote in the Oregon Senate, the latest effort to push back against conservatives' attempts to protest titles involving LGBTQIA+ themes in classrooms and school libraries.

Wisconsin County Considers Asking for ‘Secure Adult-Only’ Areas in Libraries | Wisconsin Public Radio
Kenosha County, WI, supervisor is concerned that obscene material is accessible to children.

Citizens Speak Out Against Book Censorship in Illinois Public Libraries | WPSD
Concerned citizens gathered to protest in front of the Metropolis (IL) Public Library to defend their constitutional right to democracy. Members of the public chose to organize a demonstration, supporting the right to uncensored reading materials at the public library, after they heard a religious organization was attempting to privatize the library.

Bookstore Coming to North Jacksonville Will House Banned Books and Focus on Black History | First Coast News
Florida House District 13 representative Angie Nixon is behind The Cafe Resistance Bookstore, which she is opening in response to state laws on education.