ALA Committee on Legislation
Charge
The ALA Council Committee on Legislation (COL) is charged with the responsibility for the association’s legislative agenda. Specifically, to:
- Identify, for the Public Policy & Advocacy Office (formerly known as the Washington Office), the association’s strategic priorities.
- Recommend, annually, based on consultation with the Public Policy & Advocacy Office, a legislative and public policy agenda.
- Review and advise on, any policy statements and/or resolutions that have an impact on federal legislation, policy, or regulations.
- Provide a forum within ALA to share information and legislative analysis of current and impending federal laws and regulations to keep ALA units apprised of current issues affecting libraries.
- Be available to consult, collaborate and offer assistance to state and local library entities when federal legislation has implications at the state and local level.
Roster
Susan Braukus Hempstead
(Chair, July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026)
Ms. Kate Alderete
(Member, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Colleen Bailie
(Member, July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027)
Mr. Glen J. Benedict
(Member, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Dr. Nicole A. Cooke
(Member, July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027)
Sara Dallas
(Member, July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027)
Ms. Deborah A. Doyle
(Member, July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026)
Dr. Sonya M. Durney
(Member, July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027)
Tyler Hahn
(Member, July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027)
Libby Holtmann
(Member, July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027)
Lesliediana Jones
(Member, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Katherine M. Lester
(Member, July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027)
Dr. Maria McCauley
(Member, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Karen Mellor
(Member, June 1, 2025, to July 31, 2027)
James G. Neal
(Member, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Laura Belle Nelson
(Member, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Audrey M. Ray
(Member, July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027)
Dolsy Smith
(Member, August 8, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Brad L. Warren
(Member, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Kathleen McEvoy
(UFL Liaison, July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026)
Kevin Maher
(Staff Liaison, January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2099)
Displaying active committee roster as of 12/04/2025. Last retrieved on 12/04/2025. Refresh now.
Resources
Composition
Seventeen (17) members with two-year, staggered terms. Includes a chairperson appointed annually.
Subcommitees and Task Forces
As provided by the ALA Policy Manual, the Committee on Legislation may form subcommittees or task forces to support and advise its work. For 2024-2025, these include the Copyright Subcommittee and the Museum and Library Services Act Reauthorization Task Force.
Related Units, Groups, and Initiatives
The Public Policy & Advocacy Office provides staff support to the Committee on Legislation.
The Committee on Legislation coordinates with committees with related charges, including the Committee on Library Advocacy, Information Technology Policy Advisory Committee, and Intellectual Freedom Committee. The COL Chair appoints members to the Sustainability Committee and the IFC Privacy Committee.
The Committee on Legislation participated in appointing the Policy Corps Advisory Group.
