BILL NUMBER: S7093

SPONSOR: CHU
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to project costs for
buildings of public libraries located in economically distressed commu-
nities

 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:

The proposed legislation would eliminate the 50% cap for library systems
serving economically distressed communities that receive state library
construction aid awards beyond 75%, enabling such libraries to substan-
tially fund such projects.

 
SUMMARY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL:

Section 1 of the bill would amend Education Law § 273-a(4) to eliminate
the provision that provides that no more than 50% of total funds appro-
priated to a library system pursuant to § 273-a(6) can be used to
support the total costs for projects that would receive state library
              

construction aid beyond 75% of the total project approved costs.

Section 2 is the effective date.

 
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL:

Education Law § 273-a(1) permits state library construction aid to be
provided for up to 75% of the total project approved costs for buildings
of public libraries that are located in an economically disadvantaged
community and for up to 90% of the total project approved costs for
buildings of public libraries that are located in an economically
distressed community. However, Education Law § 273-a(4) limits the
amount a library system can allocate to these projects that receive aid
beyond 75% to no more than 50% of their total aid allocation under
Education Law § 273-a(6). This limit prevents library systems, especial-
ly those serving largely economically distressed regions of New York,
from substantially funding such projects. Eliminating this 50% cap will
ensure that libraries serving economically distressed communities and
libraries in rural regions will be able to make full use of the library
construction aid intended to benefit these communities. This will also
enable such libraries to provide the local match funding required to
apply for necessary library improvements.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act would take effect immediately.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jennifer Trowbridge Office of
Governmental Relations Education Building 89 Washington Avenue Albany,
New York 12234 (518) 486-5644 Respectfully submitted, Daniel Morton-
Bentley Counsel and Deputy Commissioner For Legal Affairs State Educa-
tion Department
February 9, 2023