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History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
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.
Requires the legislature to provide for the maintenance and support of a system of free public libraries
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Barbara Lifton
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1637
Title of bill
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 1 of article 11 of the constitution, in relation to requiring the legislature to provide for a system of free public libraries
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide a Constitutional guarantee of free public library service for all residents of New York State.
Summary of specific provisions
Amends § 1 of Article XI of the State Constitution to add a guarantee of free public library services to the existing guarantee of free public schools.
Justification
New York's Constitutional guarantee of free public schools for all the children of the state has ensured the development and maintenance of excellent public school systems, establishing the state's reputation for well-educated citizens who make up a productive workforce. With rapid changes in technology and the explosive growth of many fields of learning, the need for life-long learning has taken on new importance. It is no longer enough to provide education only to our children. Public libraries -- called by some, "the people's universities" -- provide the most broadly available basis for life-long learning and adult education opportunities. The amendment would recognize the need to guarantee educational opportunities to all citizens, not just children, by guaranteeing access to free public libraries. A similar Constitutional guarantee was added to the Rhode Island State Constitution in 1986 following approval at a Constitutional Convention and voter approval by a margin of 68%.
Prior legislative history
1998: A.4655; opinion referred to Judiciary 1999: A.1641; opinion referred to Judiciary 2004: A.4838/S.738; opinion referred to Judiciary; same as S.738 (FARLEY) 2005-2006: A.1554; opinion referred to Judiciary; same as S.2144 (FARLEY) 2007-2008: A2834/S3777; opinion referred to Judiciary 2009-2010: A3895/S5607; reported & referred to Ways and Means 2011-2012: A2468/S1575; referred to Libraries and Education technology
Fiscal implications
None to the State or local governments. Public libraries and systems are currently funded by State and local appropriations, and provide services to all State residents under statute and regulation. This amendment would provide a Constitutional guarantee for continuation of free public library services.
Effective date
This is Constitutional first passage.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.