Overview
Title
An Act To direct the Librarian of Congress to promote the more cost-effective, efficient, and expanded availability of the Annotated Constitution and pocket-part supplements by replacing the hardbound versions with digital versions.
ELI5 AI
The bill says that instead of printing the U.S. Constitution with notes and supplements in books, they will be put online on a library website to save money. This makes it easier for people to read them anywhere on the internet.
Summary AI
H.R. 7592 requires that the Librarian of Congress replace printed versions of the Annotated Constitution and its supplements with digital versions. This change aims to make these documents more accessible and cost-effective by publishing them on a public website of the Library of Congress. The bill specifies that updated digital editions should be prepared and made available after certain Supreme Court terms, and it repeals requirements for printing additional hard copies. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on September 9, 2024.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, H.R. 7592 from the 118th Congress, seeks to modernize the distribution of the Annotated Constitution of the United States by transitioning from traditional hardbound copies to digital versions. The bill mandates that the Librarian of Congress make these digital editions available to the public and Congress through the Library of Congress's website. This transition is planned to begin following the October 2023 term of the Supreme Court.
Summary of Significant Issues
The shift to digital formats, although potentially cost-effective in the long run, comes with several considerations:
Initial Cost and Infrastructure: Transitioning from hardbound books to digital formats might require substantial initial investment in digital infrastructure and the development of online platforms.
Privacy and Security Concerns: The bill mandates making digital versions available online but does not specify how privacy, security, and data integrity will be maintained, which could be a concern for sensitive and legal information.
Accessibility Challenges: By moving exclusively to digital formats, the bill might inadvertently create barriers for individuals with limited internet access or low digital literacy, thus potentially limiting access to important legal information.
Digital Preservation: The requirement for these digital documents to remain available indefinitely poses questions about the long-term resources and commitment needed to ensure digital preservation and accessibility.
Impact on the Public
The transition to digital formats is likely to have mixed impacts on the public. On one hand, it offers increased accessibility for users with internet access, as they can easily obtain and search through these documents from anywhere, potentially increasing engagement with and understanding of the legal framework of the United States. On the other hand, the lack of access to physical copies could alienate individuals without reliable internet access, thereby exacerbating existing inequalities in access to information.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Government and Libraries: The transition might ease the workload for the government and libraries by reducing the need to manage physical copies. It can also align with broader government efforts to digitize and modernize public resources.
Academic and Legal Professionals: These groups might benefit from the ease of access to updated annotations and legal interpretations online, which could facilitate more efficient research and interpretation of Supreme Court decisions.
Individuals without Internet or Digital Literacy: As the access to information moves online, individuals lacking internet connectivity or digital skills might find themselves at a significant disadvantage. This could potentially deepen the digital divide and limit their ability to engage with or understand legal materials.
In summary, while this bill targets modernization and cost efficiency, it presents challenges in addressing digital infrastructure, data security, and equal access to legal information. Balancing these concerns will be crucial to ensure that the transition serves the broader public interest.
Issues
The shift from hardbound to digital formats, as specified in Section 1 and Section 3, might incur significant initial costs for digital infrastructure and development, though there may be long-term financial benefits due to reduced printing expenses.
Section 2 mandates that digital versions be available on a public website, but it lacks detail on measures to ensure privacy, security, and data protection, raising concerns about how the integrity and confidentiality of information will be maintained.
The transition to exclusively digital formats highlighted in Section 1 and Section 3 may create accessibility barriers for individuals with limited internet access or digital literacy, potentially affording unequal access to public information.
While the legislation mandates the digital availability of the Annotated Constitution, it does not explicitly provide methods to ensure the reliability and integrity of these digital documents, a concern that is highlighted in Section 2.
The requirement for digital records to remain perpetually available, as mentioned in Section 2, raises concerns about the allocation of long-term commitment and resources needed for digital preservation, including staff, technology, and financial investment.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Repeal requirement for Congressional Research Service to prepare Annotated Constitution and supplements in hardbound version Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill proposes to stop printing the annotated version of the U.S. Constitution in hardbound books and instead, have digital versions available online. It mandates that the Librarian of Congress prepare digital editions of the Constitution Annotated and its supplements, making them accessible to Congress and the public on the Library of Congress's website, starting after the October 2023 Supreme Court term.