Meeting Public Comments

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

02-12-2026

Jillian Aschliman

I am writing in strong opposition of HF 2309. This bill is another example of extreme governmental overreach and waste of taxpayer dollars. The technology and staff time required to implement the strict guidelines in this bill would be cost prohibitive for my library and many others across the state. Additionally the insurance civil and criminal liability costs for libraries, trustees, and employees would make municipal insurance coverage much more costly or unavailable. This bill would put further burden on already shrinking city and library budgets.

02-12-2026

Barb MacGregor

I strongly oppose HF 2309. The Mason City library is a jewel in the city crown. HF 2309 is government overreach. The financial consequences for rural Iowans if this bill passes would be devastating and complete waste of taxpayer dollars.

02-12-2026

Zach Row-Heyveld

Vote no on HF 2309. HF 2309 will result in rural libraries in your districts closing. Perhaps that's your goal, but it'd be wise to remember that in an election year where rural residents are facing an affordability crisis, a farm crisis, skyrocketing cancer rates, plummeting economic growth, and the closure of rural hospitals, focusing on legislation that no one is asking for and that will only harm the people you allegedly serve might not be the best idea. Go ask your constituents if they want this bill. Or read the 250 comments from people across the state that are opposed to it.

02-12-2026

Charity Tyler

VOTE NO ON HF2309! This is an extreme overreach of authority, usurping local control over community public libraries. Public libraries do not own obscene materials and they do not disseminate obscene materials. This is a ploy to kill public libraries in the state of Iowa and criminalize libraries who serve their communities. Vote NO!

02-12-2026

Jessica Link

Vote NO on HF 2309. Libraries do not have obscene materials. Parents have the right and responsibility to review what their children read, and one familys choices do not have to align with anothers. This bill would upend the ways libraries serve our communities by limiting access to all through fear of frivolous lawsuits. Sharing library materials should never be a crime. This is a law meant to punish out of fear, not to meet an actual need in our state.

02-12-2026

Ashley Burns

I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to this legislation. Libraries do NOT have obscene materials. Also, this type of government overreach is horrifying & it needs to end. No one asked for this legislation & our Legislature has far more important things to do than police our public institutions. Leave it to the experts in the room and the families of young people to parent. Access to information is NEVER a crime history has always shown us that the people who rally behind censorship like this are always the bad guys in the end. Don't send our state down this path. I am thoroughly disappointed at the haste in which consequential legislation like this is being passed through committees so quickly without giving the public time to fully understand the implications. This isn't how democracy works and we should all be deeply concerned.

02-12-2026

Kristin Eschweiler

Writing this in extreme opposition of HF 2309. This bill is governmental overreach and a complete waste of taxpayer dollars. This bill would clearly put added burden on already shrinking city and library budgets, and is not okay!

02-12-2026

J Basye

Small, rural public libraries in Iowa will be decimated because of this legislation. Many of them are simple, one room buildings that have no space, no funding, and no possible way of making their libraries compliant with this law. Please vote no on HF2309.

02-12-2026

Jessica Netolicky

Libraries do not distribute obscene content. They provide diverse, ageappropriate materials that support learning, curiosity, and personal growth. Parents have both the right and responsibility to guide their own childrens reading, and one familys values should not dictate what is available to all. This bill would fundamentally undermine how libraries serve their communities by restricting access through the threat of unnecessary and frivolous lawsuits. Providing books and educational resources should never be treated as a crime. This legislation is driven by fear rather than facts and addresses no genuine need in our state.

02-12-2026

Sarah Voels

Please oppose HF2309. Passage would destroy public libraries in our state through government overreach. Parents can already support their children in making healthy, appropriate decisions simply by being an active part of their lives. This bill would punish libraries and library staff for doing the work they are trained to do.

02-12-2026

Emma Stoffer

Vote no on HF 2309. To effectively implement the mandates outlined in this bill, libraries across the state will almost certainly have to close or suspend service, especially those in small and rural communities. And to provide staff with the most protection from frivolous lawsuits, these closures would be extensive as it would take multiple months to complete indepth review of all materials. Are your constituents prepared to lose library service for that long? Are they aware that this bill will likely impact Summer Reading and other children's programming that they rely on?

02-12-2026

Christopher Tyler

I strongly urge this bill be tabled, you are placing libraries and librarians in harms way by criminalizing actions that have no precedent. Additionally, removing control of libraries from a local to state level ignores the specific needs/program unique to each entity. Libraries and librarians are champions for education, not vessels for indoctrination or content harmful to society. Please do not support or pass this bill.

02-12-2026

Christopher Tyler