Relates to providing for a waiver allowing state aid in certain circumstances, in relation to the effectiveness thereof

Title of bill

An act to amend chapter 386 of the laws of 1996 amending the education law relating to providing for a waiver allowing state aid in certain circumstances, in relation to the effectiveness thereof

Purpose

This legislation would extend existing law that enables the state education department to waive local maintenance of effort requirements regarding library funding.

Summary of provisions

This bill would amend section 2 of chapter 386 of the laws of 1996 as last amended by chapter 661 of the laws of 2005 to extend the effective date until January 1, 2016.

Justification

State law requires that municipalities maintain their library funding levels at 95% of the previous two year's average or lose 25% of their state library aid grant. That provision would, in effect, be a double blow to local libraries in tough economic times, and therefore this law permits the commissioner of the state education department to waive this requirement if it would result in excessive hardship for the local library or library system. This law has been extended repeatedly.

Legislative history

This is a new bill; however, this provision has previously been extended in:

2005: Chapter 661 2000: Chapter 325

This provision originally became law in 1996 as Chapter 386.

Fiscal implications

This bill is not expected to have any cost to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.