What's happening
This bill requires New York school districts to annually submit a book for possible designation as the official state book.
Why it matters
Involves Schools Statewide. By requiring every school district to submit a book annually, the bill actively engages students, educators, and communities across New York in a statewide literary selection process, potentially encouraging reading and civic participation.
Educational Standards and Recognition. The commissioner of education sets the selection criteria, meaning the process could encourage alignment with educational goals (such as diversity, literacy, or historical relevance), and winning districts receive formal recognition, which may boost school pride and motivation.
Highlighting Literature Annually. Designating a new "state book" each year could bring attention to a wide range of authors and themes, promoting cultural and literary appreciation throughout New York.
Temporary Designation for a Specific Book. The bill initially designates "Robert's Tall Friend" by Virginia Harris as the first official state book, giving this particular work statewide recognition and possibly setting a precedent for the type of literature considered in the future.
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Who cares
School districts
Every district would have to submit a state book choice before May 1 each year under standards set by the education commissioner, with the winning district receiving commendations.
Education commissioner
The commissioner would set selection standards, choose an annual state book from district submissions and notify designated state officials by June 1.
Governor and legislative leaders
They would receive the annual selection, along with legislators representing the winning school district.
Author Virginia Harris
Her book “Robert's Tall Friend” would be designated the state book for the first year following the law’s effective date.
Headline styles
Pick Annual State Book
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Held for consideration in governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3155
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. RAIA, McKEVITT, FINCH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the state law, in relation to designating the official state book
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The state law is amended by adding a new section 91 to read as follows:
§ 91. State book. Each year prior to May first, every school district in the state shall submit to the commissioner of education its choice for the state book for a period of one year, such selection being made according to standards determined by the commissioner. From such submissions the commissioner shall select one book to be designated the New York state book for a period of one year commencing June first. The school district submitting the book so designated as the state book shall receive such salutations and commendations as the commissioner shall determine.
On or before June first of each year the commissioner of education is directed to forward his or her selection of the state book for the ensuing year to the governor, temporary president and minority leader of the senate, speaker and minority leader of the assembly and the members of the delegation to the legislature comprising the districts of which the prevailing school district is a part. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, during the first year following the effective date of this section, the book "Robert's Tall Friend" authored by Virginia Harris shall be designated the state book.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06842-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.