What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 4248b
- Amend and recommit to education
- Referred to education
- Print number 4248a
- Amend and recommit to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to state aid for library projects
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to state aid for library projects
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation would amend section 273-a of the education law to enable more public libraries to utilize the state construction grant program.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends subdivision one of subdivision four of section 273-a of the education law. Subdivision one of section 273-a is amended to include the acquisition of vacant land within the scope of construction projects that shall receive state aid. Subdivision one is amended further to allow libraries that serve economically disadvantaged communities to be eligible to receive state aid for up to seventy-five percent of the approved total project costs, provided that the state liability for aid paid pursuant to this section shall be limited to funds appropriated for such purpose. Subdivision one is amended further to increase the aid provided for approved expenses from fifty percent to ninety percent, upon approval of the application by the department.
Section two provides the effective date.
Justification
The Public Library Construction Grant program currently provides $14 million in bonded funds to public libraries and library systems throughout the state for renovation and construction projects. The matching requirements of 50/50 are too onerous for libraries in high-needs areas of the state to meet. This legislation would lower the matching threshold to 75/25 for public libraries in high-needs areas of the state as defined by the State Education Commissioner. This legislation would also permit the funds to be used to purchase vacant land, which is not currently permitted. This bill would also change the funds released upon approval by the State Education Department from the current 50% upfront payment back to 90%, the level at which funding stood until recently. Again, this would allow more libraries located in high-needs areas with limited resources to participate in the construction grant program.
Prior legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.