Adult Entertainment Group Undaunted by Arizona's Age-Verification Law
True to its name, Free Speech Coalition, a trade association representing the adult entertainment industry, condemned Arizona’s age-verification bill, HB-2112, whose aim is to prevent minors from accessing porn websites (see 2501170053). Governor Katie Hobbs (D) signed the age-verification legislation Tuesday.
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“We will continue to fight for the rights of Arizonans to access the internet without fear of censorship or surveillance,” Mike Stabile, its director of public policy, said in a release. He vowed the organization "will continue to fight against censorship" in Arizona "and elsewhere."
He continued: “We are well aware that the optics of voting against these bills is difficult for policymakers, especially in conservative states, and were proud to see so many legislators not only vote against the bill, but bravely stand up and defend the rights of their constituents."
Free Speech said it testified against the bill during several committee hearings, met with legislators from both parties and helped create an alliance that included the ACLU, Planned Parenthood and Fight for the Future. Despite this, the House voted 35-23 to pass a final version of the measure on May 7 (see 2505080002), following the Senate's 18-10 vote in favor of the legislation the previous day (see 250507013).
The coalition is also head plaintiff in the case over Texas's age-verification law that is before the U.S. Supreme Court (see 2501130012). The court heard oral argument in January, with the coalition arguing the Texas law violates the First Amendment and poses privacy concerns (see 2501150073).
In a press release following the bill’s enactment, sponsor Rep. Nick Kupper (R) applauded the legislation. “Arizona families have had enough,” he said. “Hardcore pornography has been just one click away from kids for too long, and the companies behind it have looked the other way while cashing in. This law forces them to take responsibility and keeps minors off their platforms.”