The Associated Press recently covered the ongoing debate over video game legislation in North Carolina.

Senate Bill 2, proposed by State Senator Julia Boseman (at left) would "prohibit the dissemination of obscene and graphically violent video games to minors and require video game retailers to inform consumers that a video game rating system is available."

Violations of the proposed law would constitute a misdemeanor offense. Interestingly, SB2 contains the following language:

"It is unlawful for a person to sell, rent, or otherwise disseminate for consideration to a minor a graphically violent video game if the person knows the character or content of the video game."

Does the phrase "disseminate for consideration" mean that "M" and "AO" rated games would need to be kept in a separate room somewhere, like the adult section in a video store? The AP reporter seems to interpret it that way. To GamePolitics, that seems rather extreme, equating games with porn.

According to the AP article, Democratic Sen. Boseman filed the bill after "watching a 10-year-old boy play a video game at a holiday party last winner. She said her 2-year-old son also "was just sucked into it" on a passing glance." No word on what the game was, or why Sen. Boseman thinks her legislation would have prevented the 10-year old from playing the game.

"Parents need more resources so they can make good, informed decisions for their children," she said.

Meanwhile, in California, the Monterey County Herald reports that San Francisco Democratic Assemblyman Leland Yee continues to pursue similar legislation. His proposed legislation, Assembly Bill 450 contains measures similar to those under consideration in North Carolina.The Herald article notes that last year the Governator himself signed a weaker bill that required retailers to post signs and offer information about game ratings.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As an aside, GamePolitics fondly recalls attending a Hollywood press party hosted by Atari at E3 a couple of years back when the as then yet non-political Arnold Schwarzenegger was the guest of honor. The party, which was held in a movie studio and had really great food (mmmmm....free food) was arranged to hype Ahnold's really bad shoot 'em up game, Terminator 3 (rated "T", by the way). At left, the Governor can be seen building consensus in the State Assembly....or is that a screen shot from Terminator 3?