BILL NUMBER: S5603

SPONSOR: MAYER
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend chapter 498 of the laws of 2011 amend-
ing the education law relating to the public library construction grant
program, in relation to the effectiveness thereof

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF THE BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to extend certain provisions of the public
library construction grant program.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

The bill extends for 3 years the provisions of the public library
construction grant program that were enacted in 2011, which raised the
possible portion of a project the State would pay to 75% of the total
project cost.

 
JUSTIFICATION:
              

To better address the needs of libraries, Chapter 498 of the Laws of
2011, which took effect in April 2011, made two changes to the way that
public library construction grants are used and awarded:
*First, it authorized funding of up to 75% of project costs from the
state for construction projects by public libraries located in econom-
ically disadvantaged communities.Some communities had difficulty meeting
the previous 5o% match requirement for existing critical infrastructure
needs, let alone new construction.
*Second, the 2011 law allowed state matching funds to be used for the
acquisition of vacant lands, which can be a very important mechanism for
potential neighborhood revitalization projects in abandoned city
centers.
These provisions are scheduled to sunset on March 31, 2020. The bill
extends the provisions another 3 years (to March 31, 2023).

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act takes effect immediately.