Think about this. You’re at your kid’s school for a parent-teacher conference. You walk past the library and see books you wouldn’t want in your own home sitting on the shelves. When you ask about it, the librarian shrugs and says, “I can’t be held responsible for what’s in here.”
That’s exactly what almost happened in Nevada. But Governor Joe Lombardo just saved parents from that nightmare.
What AB445 Would Have Done
Assembly Bill 445 would have given all school and public library staff members immunity from civil liability for helping patrons or providing access to library materials. The bill passed 32-9 in the Assembly and 14-7 in the Senate, with some Republican lawmakers supporting it.
This wasn’t just about protecting librarians doing their jobs. This was about removing all accountability for what ends up in front of your children.
The bill used the phrase “good faith” to describe when librarians would be protected. But here’s the problem: nobody defined what “good faith” actually means.
Why Lombardo Said No
In his veto message, Lombardo wrote that the bill was “untenable” because it used vague and overly broad language. He said it fails to define the term “good faith,” which would create an “unworkable legal standard.”
The governor didn’t stop there. He said the bill:
“undermines existing oversight policies that schools already have”
and
“could weaken the authority of elected school boards and parents in making decisions about what is suitable for students to access.”
This gets to the heart of why conservatives care so much about this issue. School boards are elected by local parents and taxpayers. They’re supposed to have a say in what goes into their schools. AB445 would have stripped away that local control.
The Bigger Picture for Conservatives
This fight isn’t really about books. It’s about who gets to decide what’s appropriate for children.
For years, parents have been told to trust the experts. Trust the school administrators. Trust the librarians. Trust anyone except yourself when it comes to your own kids.
The Nevada State Education Association supported the bill, saying it was:
“necessary to safeguard intellectual freedom”
and would allow librarians to:
“perform their duties without fear of undue and unfair legal repercussions.”
But conservatives see it differently. They believe parents should have the strongest voice in what their children see and learn. Not bureaucrats. Not union officials. Parents.
What Critics Are Saying
Supporters of the bill argue that it would protect librarians from frivolous lawsuits. They say some groups are trying to ban books that discuss different perspectives and cultures.
They have a point about protecting people from bad-faith legal attacks. Nobody wants librarians to face lawsuits for doing their jobs well.
But the bill went too far. Instead of protecting good librarians, it would have protected all librarians from all liability. That’s a big difference.
Why This Matters Now
This was part of a reaction to culture wars that flared at libraries. Around the country, parents have been showing up to school board meetings asking tough questions about library materials.
Some of these parents have discovered books with explicit sexual content in elementary school libraries. Others have found materials that push political viewpoints without balance.
The education establishment’s response has been to circle the wagons. Instead of listening to parents’ concerns, they’ve tried to make it legally impossible to hold anyone accountable.
That’s exactly what AB445 would have done in Nevada.
Looking Ahead
This was part of Governor Lombardo’s larger pattern of vetoing bills that expand government overreach. In 2023, he set a record by vetoing 75 bills in a single session.
Democrats in the legislature could try to override this veto when they return in 2027. But that would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
For now, the existing system stays in place. School boards still have authority over library policies. Parents still have legal recourse if something goes wrong.
What Conservatives Can Do
First, stay engaged with your local school board. These elected officials make the final decisions about library policies in your district. Attend their meetings. Ask questions. Vote in school board elections.
Second, support Governor Lombardo’s common-sense approach to government. He’s shown that he’ll stand up to special interests when they try to reduce parent involvement in education.
Third, keep an eye on what’s actually in your kids’ schools. You don’t need to become a culture warrior, but you should know what your children are seeing and learning.
The fight over AB445 shows that conservative principles still matter in Nevada. Limited government means keeping power close to the people. Parental rights means parents get to parent. And accountability means someone has to answer when things go wrong.
Governor Lombardo understood all of that when he picked up his veto pen. That’s why this victory matters for every Nevada family.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
