2023 -- H 5095

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO LIBRARIES -- STATE AID TO LIBRARIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Baginski, Vella-Wilkinson, Carson, Speakman,
Henries, Chippendale, Potter, Tanzi, and Felix

     Date Introduced: January 12, 2023

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 29-6-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 29-6 entitled "State Aid to

Libraries" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     29-6-2. Public library services.

     (a) The general assembly makes the following findings:

     (1) The Constitution of the State of Rhode Island Article XII of Education, Section 1 states

that it "shall be the duty of the general assembly to promote public schools and public libraries, and

to adopt all means which it may deem necessary and proper to secure to the people the advantages

and opportunities of education and public library services."

     (2) Free public libraries are essential to the general enlightenment of citizens in a

democracy;

     (3) Free public libraries provide for the cultural, educational, informational, and research

needs of all citizens;

     (4) Free public libraries are an integral part of the educational system at all levels and a

source for vocational information and continued learning following the period of formal education;

     (5) It is the responsibility of government at all levels to provide adequate financial support

for all free public libraries;

     (6) Throughout the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, public libraries across Rhode Island

have adopted creative strategies to support their communities through daily virtual programming,

free audiobook subscriptions, takeaway activity bags for youth, curbside book pick-ups, printing

services, and limited indoor browsing.

     (b) For each city or town, the state's share to support local public library services shall be

equal to at least twenty-five percent (25%) of both the amount appropriated and expended in the

second preceding fiscal year by the city or town from local tax revenues and funds from the public

library's private endowment that supplement the municipal appropriation; provided, however, the

state in any year shall not be obligated to match any amount from the endowment that exceeds six

percent (6%) of the three-year (3) average market value, calculated at the end of the calendar year,

of the investments in the endowment. The amount of the grant payable to each municipality in any

year in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately in the event that the total of

those grants in any year exceeds the amount appropriated that year for the purposes of this section.

     (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, in fiscal year 2024, the

state shall pay each city and town a fixed twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount appropriated

and expended by the city or town in the second preceding fiscal year from local tax revenues and

from the public library's private endowment that supplement the municipal appropriation for public

library services. The state may supplement funds from the American Rescue Plan Act State Fiscal

Recovery Funds.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO LIBRARIES -- STATE AID TO LIBRARIES

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     This act would require that the state’s share to support public library services in fiscal year

2024 be fixed at twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount appropriated and expended by the city

or town in the second preceding fiscal year, utilizing funds from the general fund supplemented by

the American Rescue Plan Act State Fiscal Recovery Fund.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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