Washington eBulletin – January 2019

A Look Ahead

ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Priorities in the New Congress

Today is the start of the 116th Congress, with all of the pomp and circumstance opening day brings to Capitol Hill. There are more than 100 new members in this Congressional class, including forty lawyers. During the next few weeks, as Committee assignments are finalized, staff are hired, and members of Congress settle into their offices on Capitol Hill, we will share ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s Public Policy Priorities with Congressional offices and speak to staff about the importance of access to justice, balance in copyright law, greater access to government information, openness in government, and protection of privacy. You can help ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s advocacy efforts by getting to know your members of Congress and confidentially sharing any connections you have with your lawmakers via our .

We’re also assessing next steps after the 115th Congress took no further action on the FDLP Modernization Act () before adjourning, despite strong support from ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ and other library associations. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ will continue advocating for modernization of the Federal Depository Library Program and work with Congress and the Government Publishing Office (GPO) to ensure the Program meets the needs of libraries and the public. While the 115th Congress did not act on the FDLP Modernization Act, it did approve the OPEN Government Data Act (,Ìý) in one of its final actions. The bill promotes greater distribution of and public access to federal government data.

While the 116th Congress is expected to turn immediate attention to reopening the federal government and conducting aggressive oversight of the Executive Branch, legislators will likely soon begin pursuing legislation related to privacy, net neutrality, and access to information from all three branches of government. Stay informed about the latest policy news by joining the , where you’ll receive weekly updates from the Government Relations Committee and timely alerts from the Government Relations Office.

Act Now

Join the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Advocacy Team

Now is the time to get to know your member of Congress, including their background, key issues, and legislative priorities. Visit ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s Legislative Action Center to read their bios and link to their websites. Then follow them on social media and sign up for their newsletters to stay informed about their policy priorities and learn about opportunities for making your voice heard via in-district meetings, town halls, online surveys, or phone calls.

Already know your member of Congress? Perhaps you went to law school with one of your members, or know them or their family through community activities. If so, please let us know!  asks about any relationships you have with your members of Congress, your policy areas of interest, and on what issues you’d like to get more involved. We keep this information confidential and work with you to help use your connections to the best advantage. These “grasstops” connections are key to influencing members of Congress in support of our issues. Thanks in advance for helping ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ create a strong advocacy network.

Save the Date / ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Day on the Hill

  • Friday, July 12, 2019
  • Washington, DC
  • Members – Free

Mark your calendars for ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Day on the Hill: Advocacy Leadership Training & Lobby Day, taking place just before the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Annual Meeting & Conference in Washington, DC. You’ll learn about the information policy issues on ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s agenda and how to successfully advocate for law libraries, and then take our message to Capitol Hill for meetings with your members of Congress and their staff. Issues may include copyright, access to legal information, open government, and privacy. Registration for ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Day on the Hill will open soon.

ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ in the States

ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ and Local Chapters Support Georgia County Law Libraries

ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, the Atlanta Law Libraries Association, and the Southeastern Chapter of the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ wrote to the Access to Justice Committee of the State Bar of Georgia to request its support to identify a strong, stable funding mechanism for Georgia county law libraries. Funding for Georgia’s county law libraries has not kept pace with today’s demands for trustworthy and timely access to legal information. Supporters of Georgia’s county law libraries are organizing support for a funding increase.

Michigan Enacts UELMA

The Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act (UELMA) was signed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on December 24, 2018, bringing the total number of UELMA enactments to 20. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ thanks Michigan ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ member Jane Meland, Marlene Coir, and the Michigan Association of Law Libraries who contributed to this advocacy success by working with the Uniform Law Commissioners, testifying before the legislature, and organizing support for the Act. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ has updated the UELMA enactment chart and advocacy resources.

Roundup and Review

  • Libraries across the country celebrated Public Domain Day on January 1, 2019. Duke Law’s Center for the Study of the Public Domain provided a , with a link to a fuller Excel spreadsheet.
  • GPO’s inspector general found that agency leadership violate federal laws, improperly hiring unqualified workers and engaging in cronyism. .
  • House Democrats introduced a rules package with transparency and modernization reforms. .