# Plain Language Summary of H.R. 7592

This bill changes how the Library of Congress produces and distributes the Annotated Constitution, which is basically a version of the Constitution with explanations of how the Supreme Court has interpreted each part over the years. Right now, the Library of Congress prints these as thick hardbound books and distributes physical copies to Congress and other institutions. This bill says to stop doing that and switch to digital versions instead—basically putting them online for free on the Library of Congress website.

Here's what actually changes: Instead of printing new hardbound books every ten years with all the Supreme Court decisions about the Constitution, the Library will create a digital version online. Similarly, instead of printing paperback updates (called "pocket-part supplements") every couple of years with the newest court decisions, those will also go digital. The first digital version would be ready after the Supreme Court finishes its 2031 term, and then every ten years after that. The updates would come out more frequently in digital form. After the 2023 Supreme Court term ends, no more hardbound versions will be printed at all.

The main benefit is cost savings and wider access. Printing and shipping heavy law books is expensive, and only certain libraries and institutions get physical copies. With everything online, anyone with internet access—lawyers, students, regular citizens, members of Congress—can look up how courts have interpreted the Constitution without waiting for a new book to be printed and delivered. The Library of Congress will be responsible for making sure these digital versions stay available and don't disappear. Essentially, this modernizes how legal information gets distributed by using technology that already exists instead of continuing an outdated printing system.

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.

Bice, Stephanie I.

   <p>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.</p> <p>The new requirement applies to the supplement after the Supreme Court term beginning October 2023 and all subsequent editions.</p>