Library Legislation in New York State: 2015 Chapters

2015 Laws Relating to State Funding for Libraries

Chapter 50

S 2000-C/A 3000-C external link opens in a new window

State Operations Budget Bill: Provides a state operations appropriation of $693,000 for 2015-2016 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, 4/13/15

Chapter 54

S 2004-CE/A 3004-C external link opens in a new window

Capital Projects Budget: Provides a $14 million capital appropriation for 2015-2018 grants for State Aid for Library Construction (Education Law 273-a)for the construction, rehabilitation, and renovation of public library buildings. Also enacts the "New NY Broadband Initiative" providing $500 million to bring high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved regions throughout the state. Signed by the Governor, 4/13/15

Chapter 56

S 2006-B/A 3006-B external link opens in a new window

Article 7 Legislation Language - Education, Labor, Housing 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 the Governor, 4/13/15

Chapter 59

S 2009-B/A 3009-B external link opens in a new window

Article 7 Legislation Language - Revenue Budget: Amends Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2011external link opens in a new window to include all public library systems, and public and free association libraries as institutions which are exempt from the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax (MTA) effective January 1, 2016. Signed by the Governor, 4/13/15

Chapter 60

S 4610-A/A 6721-A external link opens in a new window

Article 7 Legislation Language - Various Provisions of Law Related to 2015-2016 Budget: Amends Chapter 55 of the Laws of 2014external link opens in a new window. Increasing the total principal amount of bonds that the Dormitory Authority can issue to finance library construction projects from $126 million to $140 million. Signed by the Governor, 4/13/15

Chapter 61

S 4612-B/A 6720-B external link opens in a new window

State Education Department Appropriations Budget Bill: Provides a local assistance appropriation for 2015-2016 Library Aid of $91,627,000 plus additional aid to public libraries of $1.3 million for reimbursement of costs associated with the payment of the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax (MTA). Signed by the Governor, 4/13/15

Chapter 480 [pdf icon 172k]

S4299/ A8168 external link opens in a new window

Amends Education Law 273-a to make the installation and infrastructure of broadband services an approved project cost under the State Aid for Library Construction program. Signed by the Governor, 11/20/15.

2015 Laws Relating to Public Library Districts

Vetoed Memo: 187

S5820/ A8047external link opens in a new window

Amends Chapter 524 of the Laws of 1987, as amended by Chapter 361 of the Laws of 1997. This legislation is related to the dates for the annual election of library trustees and the annual budget vote of the Greater Poughkeepsie Library District.

Vetoed Memo: 189

S5500/ A1273external link opens in a new window

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.

Vetoed Memo: 192

S5942/ A7735-Aexternal link opens in a new window

Provides for the creation of the Seymour Public Library District in Monroe County, if approved by the voters of said proposed district.

Chapter 494

S5144/ A7567 external link opens in a new window

Amends Chapter 433 of the Laws of 1996. This legislation provides that only residents of the Wallkill Public Library District are eligible for election to the board of trustees. Signed by the Governor, 11/20/15.

Chapter 544

S4393/ A6224 external link opens in a new window

Amends Chapter 493 of the Laws of 1996 relating to the establishment of the Oneida Public Library. Clarifies provisions related to this special legislative district public library’s finances, particularly in relation to capital improvements. Also amends Chapter 672 of the Laws of 1993, adding the Oneida Public Library to the list of libraries eligible for financing through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. Signed by the Governor 12/11/15. Approval Memo

Vetoed Memo: 296

S4989-A/ A7325-Aexternal link opens in a new window

Amends Chapter 380 of the Laws of 2005 relating to the establishment of the Chemung County Library District. Allows the special legislative district public library’s Board of Trustees, by resolution, to appoint a designee to audit and pay claims on behalf of the library board.

2015 Laws Relating to Dormitory Authority Construction/Financing Services

Chapter 111

S5030/ A3471 external link opens in a new window

Amends Chapter 323 of the Laws of 2014. A technical amendment that corrects the name of the Queens Borough Public Library. Signed by the Governor, 8/14/15.

Chapter 467

S459/ A5251 external link opens in a new window

Amends Chapter 672 of the Laws of 1993. Allows the Gold Coast Public Library District to be eligible for financing through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. Signed by the Governor, 11/20/15. Approval Memo

2015 Laws Relating to Libraries and Library Systems

Chapter 254

S4130/ A5641 external link opens in a new window

Amends Chapter 137 of the Laws of 1877. This legislation clarifies that the Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library is a free association library. Signed by the Governor, 9/25/15.

Chapter 389

S5793-A/ A7754-A external link opens in a new window

Amends Education Law 255 (2) (f) which is related to the terms of office for the trustees of cooperative public library systems. Takes effect January 1, 2016. Signed by the Governor, 10/26/15.

Chapter 459

S5718/ A75626 external link opens in a new window

Directs the State Education Department to conduct a study of, and develop a comprehensive plan for, increasing access to and lending of electronic books in public libraries and public library systems by June 1, 2016. Signed by the Governor, 11/20/15.

Last Updated: June 23, 2016 -- asm; for questions or comments contact Carol Desch