Library Legislation in New York State: 2014 Chapters

2014 Laws Relating to State Funding for Libraries
Chapter 50	S 6350-E/A 8550-E	State Operations Budget Bill: Provides a state operations appropriation of $693,000 for 2014-2015 to the State Education Department for the New York State Library for the conservation / preservation program (Education Law 273(7)) and the Talking Book Braille Library (Education Law 273(8)) and $350,000 for services and expenses of the library conservation program at the state university of New York. Signed by Governor, 4/11/14
Chapter 53	S 6353-E/A 8553-E	Aid to Localities Budget Bill: Provides a local assistance appropriation for 2014-2015 Library Aid of $86,627,000, plus additional aid to public libraries of $1,300,000 for costs associated with payment of the metropolitan commuter transportation mobility tax (MTA). Signed by Governor, 4/11/14
Chapter 54	S 6354-E/A 8554-E	Capital Projects Budget: Provides a $14 million capital appropriation for 2014-2017 grants for public library construction, renovation and rehabilitation (Education Law 273-a). Signed by Governor, 4/11/14
Chapter 56	S 6356-D/A 8556-D	Article 7 Legislation Language – Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget: Relates to the State support of libraries in that no library, library system or program shall receive less total system or program aid than it received in the year 2001-2002, except as a result of necessary reduction adjustments. Signed by Governor, 3/31/14
Chapter 148	S 6329/A 8732	An act to amend Chapter 498 of the Laws of 2011 regarding Education Law 273-a State Aid for Library Construction, to extend the provisions of such chapter until 2020. These provisions enable the use of State funds to purchase vacant land. Also approved projects serving economically disadvantaged communities may be funded up to seventy-five percent of eligible project costs. Signed by Governor, 7/22/14
Chapter 287	S 2857-B/A 8852-D	Amends Education Law 272 to provide increased flexibility in the granting of a waiver in relation to maintenance of effort provisions for state aid to public library systems and central libraries. Signed by Governor, 8/11/14
2014 Laws Relating to Dormitory Authority Construction/Financing Services
Chapter 323	S 6931-A/A 9241-A	Amends Chapter 672 of the Laws of 1993. Includes the Brooklyn public library and the Queens public library among those eligible for the financing of projects through the dormitory authority. Signed by Governor, 8/11/14
Chapter 345	S 7066/A 9459	Amends Chapter 672 of the Laws of 1993. This legislation allows the Moffat Library in Washingtonville, New York, to be eligible for financing through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. Signed by the Governor, 9/4/2014
2014 Laws Relating to Public Library Districts
Vetoed Memo: 509 [36k]	S.7259-A / A.9847-A	Provides for the creation of the Starr public library district in the town of Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, if approved by the voters of said proposed district.
Chapter 546	S 2003/A 5310	Amends Real Property Tax Law 726 (1) (c) relating to tax refunds and school district public libraries. Authorizes a school district which levies taxes on behalf of a school district public library to charge back to such library that portion of any court ordered refund that is attributable to the library. Signed by Governor, 12/29/14

2014 Other Laws Relating to Libraries
Chapter 45	S 6893-B/A 9217-B	Creates standards regarding the membership and duties of the board of trustees and the oversight of the executive director and key library executive personnel of the Queens Borough Public Library. Signed by Governor 6/26/14.

Last Updated: April 30, 2015 -- asm; for questions or comments contact Carol Desch