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.
This bill would shift the Constitution Annotated (including pocket-part supplements) from hardbound editions to digital editions published and maintained by the Librarian of Congress. It repeals the current mandate to produce hardbound decennial editions and hardbound pocket-part supplements, and instead requires digital decennial revised editions and digital cumulative pocket-part supplements at specified intervals. The digital editions must be publicly accessible on the Library of Congress website, with the Librarian responsible for ensuring ongoing availability. The bill also removes mandatory hardcopy printing requirements after 2025 and repeals related printing obligations tied to concurrent resolutions. In short, the bill aims to reduce costs and expand access by moving from printed volumes to digitally available constitutional annotations.
Key Points
- 1Repeal of hardbound requirement: The Librarian of Congress is to replace hardbound decennial editions of the Constitution Annotated with digital decennial revised editions after the completion of the October 2031 Supreme Court term (and every tenth October term thereafter).
- 2Digital pocket-part supplements: Beginning after the October 2025 term (and in selected subsequent terms), the Librarian shall publish digital cumulative pocket-part supplements to accompany the most recent decennial edition, replacing the hardbound pocket-part supplements.
- 3Public availability of digital editions: The digital decennial editions and digital pocket-part supplements must be available on a public Library of Congress website, with the Librarian ensuring continued availability to Congress and the public.
- 4End of mandatory printing: After the October 2025 term, there is no longer a requirement to print additional hardcopy copies; the decennial editions and pocket-part supplements are to be provided exclusively in digital format.
- 5Repeal of related printing rules: The provision mandating additional copies under a concurrent resolution is repealed, aligning with the shift to digital publication.