What's happening
This bill increases state aid for public library construction projects in economically distressed communities, allowing up to 90% funding.
Why it matters
Targets the most under-resourced communities. By raising the potential state aid to 90% for libraries in "economically distressed" areas, the bill recognizes that some communities lack the resources to fund even a quarter of construction costs, aiming to level the playing field for library access.
Sets clear criteria and accountability. Libraries seeking over 75% state funding must prove both high local poverty (at or above the state average) and an inability to cover 25% of project costs, ensuring that the most deeply affected communities are prioritized and that aid is not distributed indiscriminately.
Limits the program’s fiscal impact and maintains balance. By capping the use of this enhanced aid at 10% of each library system’s total construction aid allocation, the bill prevents the new, higher funding level from consuming all available resources, preserving funding for other projects.
Reinforces libraries’ role in community equity. The measure explicitly ties increased aid to addressing service needs in distressed communities, reinforcing the view of public libraries as essential infrastructure for bridging educational, digital, and social divides.
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Who cares
Headline styles
More Aid for Poor Libraries
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A3771A
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1048
- 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.
More State Aid for Libraries
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Didi Barrett
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5589
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 8, 2019
Introduced by Sen. MAYER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to project costs for buildings of public libraries located in economically distressed communities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 273-a of the education law, as amended by chapter 498 of the laws of 2011, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 480 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
§ 273-a. State aid for library construction. 1. State aid shall be provided for up to fifty percent of the total project approved costs, excluding feasibility studies, plans or similar activities, for projects for the installation and infrastructure of broadband services, and for the acquisition of vacant land and the acquisition, construction, renovation or rehabilitation, including leasehold improvements, of buildings of public libraries and library systems chartered by the regents of the state of New York or established by act of the legislature subject to the limitations provided in subdivision [five] six of this section and upon approval by the commissioner, except that state aid may be provided for up to seventy-five percent of the total project approved costs for buildings of public libraries that are located in an economically disadvantaged community and that state aid may be provided for up to ninety percent of the total project approved costs for buildings of public libraries that are located in an economically distressed community. Provided however that the state liability for aid paid pursuant to this section shall be limited to funds appropriated for such purpose. Aid shall be provided on approved expenses incurred during the period commencing July first and ending June thirtieth for up to three years, or until the project is completed, whichever occurs first. Fifty percent of such aid shall be payable to each system or library upon approval of
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00563-04-9
S. 5589 2
the application by the department. Forty percent of such aid shall be payable in the next state fiscal year. The remaining ten percent shall be payable upon project completion.
2. Each application for state aid shall be submitted by the board of trustees of the library or library system responsible for the operation of the subject building to the commissioner for his or her review and approval, after having been reviewed and approved by the governing board of the public library system of which such library is a member. Each application shall:
a. demonstrate that resources are or shall be available to provide for maximum utilization of the project if approved;
b. contain verification in such form as may be acceptable to the commissioner that the total cost of the project, exclusive of state aid, has been or will be obtained;
c. demonstrate that library operations would be made more economical as a consequence of approval;
d. be limited to one project concerning such building, provided that no building shall be the subject of more than one application per year;
e. contain documentation, where such an application requests state aid in an amount greater than fifty percent, demonstrating how the project will address the service needs of one or more economically disadvantaged communities. Such documentation may demonstrate need through poverty rates, concentrations of English language learners, low high school graduation rates, limited fiscal capacity or other relevant factors; [and]
f. contain documentation, where such an application requests state aid in an amount greater than seventy-five percent, demonstrating how the project will address the service needs of one or more economically distressed communities. An application must demonstrate that the average poverty rate within the library's service area is equal to or greater than the New York state average poverty rate using federal census data; and the library must demonstrate that it lacks the capacity to provide twenty-five percent of the project costs; and
g. provide such other information as may be required by the commissioner.
3. In approving any application that would receive state aid beyond fifty percent of the total project approved costs, the board of trustees of the library system shall give particular attention to addressing the library service needs of economically disadvantaged communities as provided for in paragraph e of subdivision two of this section.
4. In approving any application that would receive state aid beyond seventy-five percent of the total project approved costs, the board of trustees of the library system shall give particular attention to addressing the library service needs of economically distressed communities as provided for in paragraph f of subdivision two of this section. No more than ten percent of the total funds appropriated to a library system in subdivision six of this section may be used to support the total costs for projects that would receive state aid beyond seventyfive percent of the total project approved costs.
5. In approving any application the commissioner shall consider the condition of existing libraries and, where appropriate, the needs of isolated or economically disadvantaged communities, provided that no application shall be approved for a project that is deemed by the commissioner to have been completed prior to the date of the application.
[5.] 6. Aid shall be distributed pursuant to this section as follows:
S. 5589 3
a. sixty percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to this section shall be made available to libraries within each system by the commissioner in such manner as to insure that the ratio of the amount received within each system to the whole of the aid made available pursuant to this paragraph is no greater than the ratio of the population served by such system to the population of the state;
b. forty percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to this section shall be made available to library systems or libraries within each system by the commissioner in such manner as to insure that an equal amount is received within each system in the state;
c. any funds made available pursuant to paragraph a or b of this subdivision which by April first of each succeeding fiscal year, are declined by such libraries or library systems for any reason, or which cannot otherwise be used by such libraries or library systems for any reason, shall be made available by the commissioner to other eligible libraries within such system, or if no such library can use such funds shall be reallocated among the other library systems and their libraries in a manner that will to the extent possible provide from such reallocated funds an equal amount to each such system.
[6.] 7. The commissioner shall adopt rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this section.
[7.] 8. The commissioner shall submit to the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly an annual report describing those projects that have received state funding of greater than fifty percent of project costs and the communities to be served by those projects.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the amendments to section 273-a of the education law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall be deemed to expire therewith.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to project costs for buildings of public libraries located in economically distressed communities
Purpose or general idea of bill
To enable libraries in economically distressed communities to better utilize the state construction grant program.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends section one of Education Law section 273-a in the following manner:
Read the full memo (661 words)
Paragraph one is amended to allow libraries located in severely econom- ically disadvantaged communities to be eligible to receive state aid for up to 90% 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, and that these projects shall amount to no more than 10% of a library system's total award.
Paragraph two is amended to require that applications submitted which request state aid in an amount greater than 75% must submit documenta- tion demonstrating how the project will address the service needs of one or more economically disadvantaged communities.
Paragraph four is created to require that the library demonstrate that it lacks the capacity to provide twenty five percent of the project costs. In approving any application that would receive state aid beyond seventy five percent of the total project costs, the board of trustees of the library system shall give particular attention to addressing the library service needs of economically disadvantaged communities.
Paragraphs five, six, seven, and eight are renumbered.
Section two establishes the effective date.
Difference between original and amended version
The original version contained a section 2 which made permanent Chapter 498 of the laws of 2011. The bill has been amended to not include that provision. The effective date has been amended to provide that the changes to Education Law 273-a made by section 1 of the bill shall expire along with the rest of section 273-a.
Justification
The Public Library Construction Grant program currently provides $34 million in bonded funds to public libraries and library systems through- out the state for renovation and construction projects. This legislation would lower the matching threshold to 10 percent for public libraries in economically distressed communities, making it easier for these libraries to receive much-needed construction grants. In many struggling communities, libraries do not have the funds to apply for the 50% or even 75% matching funds from the Construction Grant program. This change in law will allow the libraries with the most need to access funding to provide their library patrons with safe, accessible, and modern facili- ties. This legislation also makes permanent Chapter 498 of the Laws of 2011, which is due to sunset on March 31, 2020. In order to better address the needs of libraries, the 2011 law made two changes to the way that public library construction grants are used and awarded. First, it authorized funding of up to 75% of project costs from the state for construction projects by public libraries located in economically disad- vantaged communities. Some communities had difficulty meeting the previous 50% match requirement for existing critical infrastructure needs, let alone new construction. The 2011 law also permits state matching funds to be used for the acquisition of vacant lands which can be a very important mechanism for potential neighborhood revitalization projects in abandoned city centers. The success of this program since its enactment justifies a permanent place in law.
Prior legislative history
2018: A10836-B (Barrett) - Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
The total cost to the state, which is set in the state budget each year, will not change. However, this bill would shift some library construction grant funds to the most economically distressed communi- ties.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the amendments to section 273-a of the education law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall be deemed to expire therewith.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.