House passes resolution decrying porn on 65-3 vote

The House has voted 65-3 in favor of Rep. Lance Clow’s resolution declaring pornography a “public health hazard. Clow said, “This resolution is addressing what is becoming a health hazard across the country and the state, that has to do with the proliferation of pornography.” He said he’s seen the damage to families and individuals.

Rep. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, spoke against the resolution. “I actually do agree with many of the ‘whereas’ clauses here, and I don’t think excessive consumption of pornography is a good thing for people at any age.” She said she also agrees with educating children about that. But Rubel said she has a problem with the final clause in the resolution that “encourages state agencies at all levels to act as censoring bodies and to block access to the internet. I’m kind of a free speech person and I’m opposed to censorship. This is not with regard to children, this is in regard to adults.” Rubel said there are times when people need to access pornographic materials as part of investigations, for example. “I would really rather not endorse the state launching into the role of censor here,” she said.

Clow said, “If there’s an agency out there that feels that there’s a need in their departments to have access to this, I think that the word ‘encourages’ gives them flexibility to deal with that.” The resolution, HCR 50 , now moves to the Senate.

The three “no” votes came from Reps. Rubel; Phylis King, D-Boise; and Caroline Nilsson Troy, R-Moscow.