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.

4/4/2025, 6:19 PM

This bill replaces the requirement for the Library of Congress to prepare hardbound versions of the Constitution Annotated and supplements with a requirement for the Library to instead prepare digital versions and publish them online.

The new requirement applies to the supplement after the Supreme Court term beginning October 2025 and all subsequent editions.

Bill 119 hr 1234, also known as the Annotated Constitution Digitalization Act, aims to direct the Librarian of Congress to promote the more cost-effective, efficient, and expanded availability of the Annotated Constitution and pocket-part supplements. This would be achieved by replacing the hardbound versions of these materials with digital versions.

The bill recognizes the benefits of digitalization, such as reduced printing and distribution costs, as well as increased accessibility for a wider audience. By transitioning to digital versions of the Annotated Constitution and pocket-part supplements, the government can save money and make these important resources more readily available to the public.

Supporters of the bill argue that digitalization will make it easier for individuals, students, and researchers to access and study the Constitution and its annotations. Additionally, digital versions can be updated more quickly and efficiently than hardbound copies, ensuring that users have access to the most current information. Opponents of the bill may argue that some individuals prefer physical copies of documents and may not have access to digital resources. However, the bill does not completely eliminate hardbound versions, but rather promotes the use of digital versions as a more cost-effective and efficient alternative. Overall, the Annotated Constitution Digitalization Act seeks to modernize the way in which the Annotated Constitution and pocket-part supplements are made available to the public, with the goal of increasing accessibility and reducing costs.
Congress
119

Number
HR - 1234

Introduced on
2025-02-12

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

2/12/2025

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
Passed in House
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

This bill replaces the requirement for the Library of Congress to prepare hardbound versions of the Constitution Annotated and supplements with a requirement for the Library to instead prepare digital versions and publish them online.

The new requirement applies to the supplement after the Supreme Court term beginning October 2025 and all subsequent editions.

Bill 119 hr 1234, also known as the Annotated Constitution Digitalization Act, aims to direct the Librarian of Congress to promote the more cost-effective, efficient, and expanded availability of the Annotated Constitution and pocket-part supplements. This would be achieved by replacing the hardbound versions of these materials with digital versions.

The bill recognizes the benefits of digitalization, such as reduced printing and distribution costs, as well as increased accessibility for a wider audience. By transitioning to digital versions of the Annotated Constitution and pocket-part supplements, the government can save money and make these important resources more readily available to the public.

Supporters of the bill argue that digitalization will make it easier for individuals, students, and researchers to access and study the Constitution and its annotations. Additionally, digital versions can be updated more quickly and efficiently than hardbound copies, ensuring that users have access to the most current information. Opponents of the bill may argue that some individuals prefer physical copies of documents and may not have access to digital resources. However, the bill does not completely eliminate hardbound versions, but rather promotes the use of digital versions as a more cost-effective and efficient alternative. Overall, the Annotated Constitution Digitalization Act seeks to modernize the way in which the Annotated Constitution and pocket-part supplements are made available to the public, with the goal of increasing accessibility and reducing costs.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo 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.

Policy Areas
Congress

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary3/26/2025

This bill replaces the requirement for the Library of Congress to prepare hardbound versions of the Constitution Annotated and supplements with a requirement for the Library to instead prepare digital versions and publish them online.

The ne...


Latest Action4/1/2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.