NY State Senate Bill 2021-S3706A

Senate Bill S3706A

2021-2022 Legislative Session

Relates to conducting a study on the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital funding

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Libraries Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 05, 2022	referred to libraries returned to senate died in assembly
May 05, 2021	referred to libraries and education technology delivered to assembly passed senate
May 03, 2021	advanced to third reading
Apr 28, 2021	2nd report cal.
Apr 27, 2021	1st report cal.803
Apr 21, 2021	print number 3706a
Apr 21, 2021	amend and recommit to libraries
Feb 09, 2021	committee discharged and committed to libraries
Jan 30, 2021	referred to education

Votes

- May 5, 2021 - Floor Vote
  S3706A
  
  63
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Floor Vote: May 5, 2021
      
      aye (63)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Akshar
      
      Bailey
      
      Benjamin
      
      Biaggi
      
      Borrello
      
      Boyle
      
      Breslin
      
      Brisport
      
      Brooks
      
      Brouk
      
      Comrie
      
      Cooney
      
      Felder
      
      Gallivan
      
      Gaughran
      
      Gianaris
      
      Gounardes
      
      Griffo
      
      Harckham
      
      Helming
      
      Hinchey
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Jackson
      
      Jordan
      
      Kaminsky
      
      Kaplan
      
      Kavanagh
      
      Kennedy
      
      Krueger
      
      Lanza
      
      Liu
      
      Mannion
      
      Martucci
      
      Mattera
      
      May
      
      Mayer
      
      Myrie
      
      O'Mara
      
      Oberacker
      
      Ortt
      
      Palumbo
      
      Parker
      
      Persaud
      
      Ramos
      
      Rath III
      
      Reichlin-Melnick
      
      Ritchie
      
      Rivera
      
      Ryan
      
      Salazar
      
      Sanders Jr.
      
      Savino
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Serino
      
      Serrano
      
      Skoufis
      
      Stavisky
      
      Stec
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Tedisco
      
      Thomas
      
      Weik
  Apr 27, 2021 - Libraries Committee Vote
  S3706A
  
  7
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Libraries Committee Vote: Apr 27, 2021
      
      aye (7)
      
      Brisport
      
      Brooks
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Jordan
      
      Ryan
      
      Serrano
      
      Stec

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2021-S3706 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Libraries
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §273-a, Ed L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2017-2018: S7161
2019-2020: S5374
2023-2024: S1418

2021-S3706 - Summary

Relates to conducting a study on the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital funding; the department of education, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state, shall assess and report on the capital needs of such public library systems, including public libraries and association libraries.

2021-S3706 - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S3706

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to conducting a study on
the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital
funding

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This legislation would require the Commissioner of the State Education
Department, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of
the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state to
complete a study on the capital needs of libraries and library systems
in New York State.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

This legislation would require the Commissioner of the State Education
Department, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of

the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state to
conduct a study and identify current options available to libraries for
financing capital projects along with their projected needs over a five
year period. Additionally, such study shall identify any special needs,
barriers to accessing financing and options for financing for public
libraries serving communities with populations of less than seventy-five
hundred. The legislation would require such study and recommendations to
be provided to the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Temporary
President of the Senate, the Chair of the Assembly Libraries and Educa-
tion Technology Committee and the Chair of the Senate Select Committee
on Libraries.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York State's public libraries are rapidly aging. More than 48% of
local libraries are over 60 years old and an additional 33% are over 30
years old. Failure to adequately fund local libraries' capital needs
falls disproportionately on communities with diminished economic
resources the lack of investment has forced the sale of some public
libraries. Additionally, libraries in economically disadvantaged commu-
nities cannot afford basic investment in energy-efficient upgrades and
increased operating costs have forced shorter hours, reduced staffing,
and reduced programming. Public libraries remain unable to accommodate
advances in technological infrastructure, make investments in energy
efficiency, or increase access for persons with disabilities due to the
lack of access to capital financing. The purpose of this study is to
identify and provide recommendations for the improvement of access to
capital funding to our public libraries and public library system.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-2018: A7630 passed Assembly

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

2021-S3706 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   3706
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 30, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  COMRIE -- 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 conducting a study  on
   the  access  of  state public libraries and library systems to capital
   funding

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Section 273-a of the education law is amended by adding a
 new subdivision 9 to read as follows:
   9. THERE SHALL BE A STUDY CONDUCTED RELATING TO THE  ACCESS  OF  STATE
 PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS TO CAPITAL FUNDING.
   A.  THE  DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DORMITORY AUTHORITY, THE
 OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER, AND THE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEMS  OF  THE
 STATE,  SHALL  ASSESS  AND  REPORT  ON  THE CAPITAL NEEDS OF SUCH PUBLIC
 LIBRARY SYSTEMS, INCLUDING PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND  ASSOCIATION  LIBRARIES.
 SUCH STUDY SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
   (1)  IDENTIFICATION  OF  CURRENT  OPTIONS  AVAILABLE  TO LIBRARIES AND
 LIBRARY SYSTEMS FOR FINANCING CAPITAL PROJECTS;
   (2) THE PROJECTED CAPITAL NEEDS OF LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS  OVER
 A FIVE YEAR PERIOD;
   (3)  IDENTIFICATION  OF  ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY
 SYSTEMS TO FINANCE CAPITAL PROJECTS;
   (4) INFORMATION RELATED TO DORMITORY  AUTHORITY  FINANCING  OF  PUBLIC
 LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEMS IN THE PAST TEN YEARS INCLUDING BUT
 NOT LIMITED TO: THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS
 THAT  HAVE APPLIED FOR DORMITORY AUTHORITY FINANCING; WHAT PERCENTAGE OF
 PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS ARE DENIED FUNDING FROM THE  DORMI-
 TORY  AUTHORITY  AND THE REASONS FOR SUCH DENIALS; THE TOTAL COST OF THE
 PROPOSED PROJECTS; AND THE AMOUNT OF FINANCING PROVIDED FOR THE PROJECTS
 AND THE NUMBER OF PROJECT APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED EACH YEAR;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD01312-01-1

 S. 3706                             2
 
   (5) IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIAL NEEDS, BARRIERS TO  ACCESSING  FINANCING
 AND  OPTIONS FOR FINANCING FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES SERVING COMMUNITIES WITH
 POPULATIONS OF LESS THAN SEVENTY-FIVE HUNDRED; AND
   (6)  RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF ACCESS TO CAPITAL FUNDING
 FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS.
   B. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL  BE
 DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
   (1)  "PUBLIC  LIBRARY"  SHALL  MEAN ANY PUBLIC OR ASSOCIATION LIBRARY,
 OTHER THAN A PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL OR PUBLIC  SCHOOL  LIBRARY,  ESTAB-
 LISHED  FOR FREE PUBLIC PURPOSES BY OFFICIAL ACTION OF A MUNICIPALITY OR
 DISTRICT OR THE LEGISLATURE, WHERE THE WHOLE  INTERESTS  BELONG  TO  THE
 PUBLIC;  THE  TERM  "ASSOCIATION  LIBRARY"  SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO MEAN A
 LIBRARY ESTABLISHED AND CONTROLLED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY A  GROUP  OF
 PRIVATE  INDIVIDUALS  OPERATING AS AN ASSOCIATION, CLOSED CORPORATION OR
 AS TRUSTEES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF A WILL OR DEED  OF  TRUST;  AND  THE
 TERM "FREE" AS APPLIED TO A LIBRARY SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO MEAN A LIBRARY
 MAINTAINED FOR THE BENEFIT AND FREE USE ON EQUAL TERMS OF ALL THE PEOPLE
 OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE LIBRARY IS LOCATED.
   (2) "PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM" SHALL MEAN:
   (I) A LIBRARY ESTABLISHED BY ONE OR MORE COUNTIES.
   (II)  A GROUP OF LIBRARIES SERVING AN AREA INCLUDING ONE OR MORE COUN-
 TIES IN WHOLE OR IN PART.
   (III) A LIBRARY OF A CITY CONTAINING ONE OR MORE COUNTIES.
   (IV) A COOPERATIVE LIBRARY SYSTEM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION  TWO
 HUNDRED  FIFTY-FIVE  OF THIS PART, THE PLAN OF LIBRARY SERVICE OF ANY OF
 WHICH SHALL HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   C. THE STUDY REQUIRED BY THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE COMPLETED BY  JANU-
 ARY  FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE.  THE FINDINGS OF SUCH STUDY SHALL
 BE PROVIDED TO THE GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE  TEMPORARY
 PRESIDENT  OF THE SENATE, THE CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY LIBRARIES AND EDUCA-
 TION TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE, AND THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE SELECT  COMMITTEE
 ON  LIBRARIES.    THE FINDINGS OF SUCH STUDY SHALL ALSO BE POSTED ON THE
 NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY'S WEBSITE.
   § 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 repealed therewith.

co-Sponsors

2021-S3706A (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Libraries
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §273-a, Ed L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2017-2018: S7161
2019-2020: S5374
2023-2024: S1418

2021-S3706A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2021-S3706A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S3706a

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to conducting a study on
the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital
funding

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This legislation would require the Commissioner of the State Education
Department, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of
the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state to
complete a study on the capital needs of libraries and library systems
in New York State.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

This legislation would require the Commissioner of the State Education
Department, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of

the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state to
conduct a study and identify current options available to libraries for
financing capital projects along with their projected needs over a five
year period. Additionally, such study shall identify any special needs,
barriers to accessing financing and options for financing for public
libraries.

The legislation would require such study and recommendations to be
provided to the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Temporary
President of the Senate, the Chair of the Assembly Libraries and Educa-
tion Technology Committee and the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee
on Libraries.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York State's public libraries are rapidly aging. More than 48% of
local libraries are over 60 years old and an additional 33% are over 30
years old. Failure to adequately fund local libraries' capital needs
falls disproportionately on communities with diminished economic
resources the lack of investment has forced the sale of some public
libraries. Additionally, libraries in economically disadvantaged commu-
nities cannot afford basic investment in energy-efficient upgrades and
increased operating costs have forced shorter hours, reduced staffing,
and reduced programming. Public libraries remain unable to accommodate
advances in technological infrastructure, make investments in energy
efficiency, or increase access for persons with disabilities due to the
lack of access to capital financing. The purpose of this study is to
identify and provide recommendations for the improvement of access to
capital funding to our public libraries and public library system.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-2018: A.7630 Passed Assembly

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

2021-S3706A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  3706--A
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 30, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee  on  Education  --  committee
   discharged  and  said  bill committed to the Committee on Libraries --
   committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as  amended  and
   recommitted to said committee

 AN  ACT to amend the education law, in relation to conducting a study on
   the access of state public libraries and library  systems  to  capital
   funding
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Section 273-a of the education law is amended by  adding  a
 new subdivision 9 to read as follows:
   9.  THERE  SHALL  BE A STUDY CONDUCTED RELATING TO THE ACCESS OF STATE
 PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS TO CAPITAL FUNDING.
   A. THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DORMITORY  AUTHORITY,  THE
 OFFICE  OF  THE STATE COMPTROLLER, AND THE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEMS OF THE
 STATE, SHALL ASSESS AND REPORT ON  THE  CAPITAL  NEEDS  OF  SUCH  PUBLIC
 LIBRARY  SYSTEMS,  INCLUDING PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND ASSOCIATION LIBRARIES.
 SUCH STUDY SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
   (1) IDENTIFICATION OF  CURRENT  OPTIONS  AVAILABLE  TO  LIBRARIES  AND
 LIBRARY SYSTEMS FOR FINANCING CAPITAL PROJECTS;
   (2)  THE PROJECTED CAPITAL NEEDS OF LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS OVER
 A FIVE YEAR PERIOD;
   (3) IDENTIFICATION OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR  LIBRARIES  AND  LIBRARY
 SYSTEMS TO FINANCE CAPITAL PROJECTS;
   (4)  INFORMATION  RELATED  TO  DORMITORY AUTHORITY FINANCING OF PUBLIC
 LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEMS IN THE PAST TEN YEARS INCLUDING BUT
 NOT LIMITED TO: THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS
 THAT HAVE APPLIED FOR DORMITORY AUTHORITY FINANCING; WHAT PERCENTAGE  OF
 PUBLIC  LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS ARE DENIED FUNDING FROM THE DORMI-
 TORY AUTHORITY AND THE REASONS FOR SUCH DENIALS; THE TOTAL COST  OF  THE
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD01312-02-1

 S. 3706--A                          2
 
 PROPOSED PROJECTS; AND THE AMOUNT OF FINANCING PROVIDED FOR THE PROJECTS
 AND THE NUMBER OF PROJECT APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED EACH YEAR;
   (5)  IDENTIFICATION  OF SPECIAL NEEDS, BARRIERS TO ACCESSING FINANCING
 AND OPTIONS FOR FINANCING FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES; AND
   (6) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF ACCESS TO  CAPITAL  FUNDING
 FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS.
   B.  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL BE
 DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
   (1) "PUBLIC LIBRARY" SHALL MEAN ANY  PUBLIC  OR  ASSOCIATION  LIBRARY,
 OTHER  THAN  A  PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL OR PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY, ESTAB-
 LISHED FOR FREE PUBLIC PURPOSES BY OFFICIAL ACTION OF A MUNICIPALITY  OR
 DISTRICT  OR  THE  LEGISLATURE,  WHERE THE WHOLE INTERESTS BELONG TO THE
 PUBLIC; THE TERM "ASSOCIATION LIBRARY" SHALL  BE  CONSTRUED  TO  MEAN  A
 LIBRARY  ESTABLISHED  AND CONTROLLED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY A GROUP OF
 PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS OPERATING AS AN ASSOCIATION, CLOSED  CORPORATION  OR
 AS  TRUSTEES  UNDER  THE  PROVISIONS OF A WILL OR DEED OF TRUST; AND THE
 TERM "FREE" AS APPLIED TO A LIBRARY SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO MEAN A LIBRARY
 MAINTAINED FOR THE BENEFIT AND FREE USE ON EQUAL TERMS OF ALL THE PEOPLE
 OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE LIBRARY IS LOCATED.
   (2) "PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM" SHALL MEAN:
   (I) A LIBRARY ESTABLISHED BY ONE OR MORE COUNTIES.
   (II) A GROUP OF LIBRARIES SERVING AN AREA INCLUDING ONE OR MORE  COUN-
 TIES IN WHOLE OR IN PART.
   (III) A LIBRARY OF A CITY CONTAINING ONE OR MORE COUNTIES.
   (IV)  A COOPERATIVE LIBRARY SYSTEM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO
 HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE OF THIS PART, THE PLAN OF LIBRARY SERVICE OF  ANY  OF
 WHICH SHALL HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   C.  THE STUDY REQUIRED BY THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE COMPLETED BY JANU-
 ARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE.  THE FINDINGS OF SUCH STUDY  SHALL
 BE  PROVIDED TO THE GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE TEMPORARY
 PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY LIBRARIES AND  EDUCA-
 TION  TECHNOLOGY  COMMITTEE,  AND  THE  CHAIR OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON
 LIBRARIES.  THE FINDINGS OF SUCH STUDY SHALL ALSO BE POSTED ON  THE  NEW
 YORK STATE LIBRARY'S WEBSITE.
   §  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 repealed therewith.

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