Senate
Controversial KOSA, COPPA Bills Pass Commerce Committee, Head to Senate Floor
The Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday approved by a unanimous voice vote two controversial “online safety” bills that have been criticized by leading digital rights and privacy advocates.
French Senate Approves Rules to 'Complicate the Lives' of Adult Content Producers
The French Senate on Tuesday twice amended a bill to “secure and regulate the digital space,” adding provisions that would mandate warnings if any adult content simulates an illegal act, and require sites to remove adult content upon a performer’s request.
Ohio Republican Senate Candidate JD Vance Calls for 'Outright Ban' on Porn
Recent coverage of Ohio Republican J.D. Vance, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, has foregrounded a year-old interview with a Catholic publication where he calls for an “outright ban” on porn.
Senators Rush EARN IT Act Through Committee as Controversy Mounts
The controversial EARN IT Act, a proposed overhaul of internet rules that digital rights groups and sex worker advocates have overwhelmingly denounced as a threat to free speech, unanimously passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning and is moving forward towards a Senate vote.
Utah: Mandatory 'Porn Filter' Bill Passes Senate, Awaits Governor's Signature
Utah’s controversial “porn filter” bill passed the State Senate this afternoon on a 19-6 vote (with 4 absences), a Salt Lake City capitol source told XBIZ.
Senate Dems Introduce 'SAFE TECH Act' to Limit Section 230
Senator Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and two other Democratic Senators introduced, earlier this month, a Section 230 reform bill, the Safeguarding Against Fraud, Exploitation, Threats, Extremism and Consumer Harms (SAFE TECH) Act.
California Senate Committee Quietly Unveils Massive Revision of AB5 Exemptions
The California Senate’s Labor Committee quietly approved yesterday substantial amendments to AB2257, the so-called “clean-up bill” for the controversial AB5 legislation that altered freelance employment in the State, affecting adult performers, strip club dancers and other sex workers.
California Senate Committee Quietly Schedules Vote on New Freelancer Bill
In a surprising move, the California Senate’s Labor Committee scheduled a vote today on AB2257, the so-called “clean-up bill” for the controversial AB5 legislation that altered freelance employment in the State, affecting adult performers, strip club dancers and other sex workers.
Senate Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on PACT Act, Section 230
This morning, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet. held a lengthy hearing on Section 230, assessing the impact of what the committee calls “the law that helped create the internet” and examining proposed reforms to it, particularly the PACT Act.
Sex Workers Support SB 233 at Senate Public Safety Committee
On Tuesday, April 9, at 9:30 a.m. the California Senate Public Safety Committee will hear Senate Bill 233 Sponsored by Senator Scott Wiener and Assembly Member Bill Quirk, co-sponsored by Assembly Members Carrillo and Friedman.
FSC Issues Letter of Support for Pro-Sex Workers CA Senate Bill
The Free Speech Coalition (FSC), the adult industry trade organization, has released a public letter in support of a California Senate Bill that would reform the state’s Evidence Code to “protect sex workers from being arrested when reporting serious or violent crimes and would also prohibit using the possession of condoms as probable cause for sex work crimes.”
Senate Votes to Restore Net Neutrality, but House Unlikely to Follow
The U.S. Senate approved a resolution today to nullify the FCC’s net neutrality rollback, but the agency’s new rule remains on track to take effect next month.
Calif. Senate Panel Decides to Delay Vote on Amending 'Pandering' Law
California lawmakers sitting on the Senate Committee on Public Safety today were skeptical about the overbreadth of new legislation that would amend the state’s “pandering” laws.
Senate Approves SESTA Legislation Limiting Immunity for Internet Platforms
The Senate today gave final approval, 97-2, to SESTA — landmark legislation that will limit federal immunity for internet platforms.
Kansas Senate Passes Resolution Condemning Porn
The Kansas Senate on Tuesday voted to condemn pornography, calling it "a public health hazard that leads to a broad spectrum of individual and public health impacts and societal harms.”
Backpage.com’s CEO Is No-Show at Senate Hearing
Senators investigating sex trafficking blasted the CEO of Backpage.com for failing to show up at a hearing this week despite being subject to a subpoena.
Alabama Senate Rejects 40% Porn Tax
Alabama’s porn tax proposal failed to pass the state Senate last week.
Bunny Ranch's Dennis Hof Exploring Run for Nevada Senate Seat
Bunny Ranch brothel owner Dennis Hof has joined the Libertarian Party and has organized an exploratory committee to run for U.S. Senate.
FSC Releases Statement on Opposition to State Senate Vote for AB 1576
The Free Speech Coalition has issued a statement on its opposition to AB 1576, the legislation requiring mandatory barrier protection on adult production sets that cleared the California Senate Labor & Industrial Relations Committee with an affirmative vote this morning.
AB 1576 Passes Calif. Senate Labor Panel
The California state Senate and Labor Relation panel this afternoon passed AB 1576, the bill that would mandate condom use on all adult productions shot in California.