1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing as a concerned constituent from San Antonio to express my strong opposition to House Bill 1375, which proposes holding bookstores liable if minors claim damages from materials deemed "obscene." This bill poses significant threats to free expression, small businesses, and the accessibility of literature in our state. HB 1375 would expose bookstores to multiple lawsuits over the same material, even if the content is already illegal under existing laws. Booksellers, including leaders from Half Price Books, have highlighted the unrealistic burden this places on stores to assess what might be considered inappropriate across diverse communities. The bill could lead to an increase in frivolous lawsuits, threatening their business and infringing upon First Amendment rights. The American Booksellers Association also opposes the bill, stating that it unfairly targets small businesses and aims to regulate content already deemed illegal under existing laws. As a resident of San Antonio, I value the diversity of thought and the freedom to access a wide range of literature. This bill threatens to undermine these principles by imposing vague standards and punitive measures on bookstores, potentially leading to self-censorship and a diminished literary landscape. I urge you to oppose HB 1375 and to support policies that uphold free expression, protect small businesses, and ensure that literature remains accessible to all Texans. Thank you for your attention to this matter.