Arkansas Senators Shut Down
Filter-Mandate Bill
The Technology and Legislative Affairs Committee of the Arkansas Senate has rejected a bill that would have mandated the use of Internet filters to block children from material deemed harmful to minors from computers in public schools and libraries. The February 20 vote came only 13 days after the measure easily passed the House on a voice vote, according to a February 22 Associated Press report.
“Not only intelligence is important in life, but also the difference between right and wrong,” Rep. Russ Bennett (R-Lewisville), the bill’s primary sponsor, testified to the committee. Education Department Director Ray Simon also defended the initiative, arguing that it merely affirmed the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act.
“The universe of URLs is exploding exponentially,” Sen. Jim Argue (D-Little Rock) countered. “I’m trying to understand where we get this confidence that URL-based blocking works.” Other senators’ objections to the bill revolved around their uncertainty that it would pass constitutional muster should it have to withstand a First Amendment challenge.
Posted February 26, 2001.
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