LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Updated:
Monday, July 18, 2011
FY12 State Budget
The FY12 State Budget was signed into law on June 30. The NJ Legislature had passed a budget which would have provided an additional $3.5 million for the state per capita aid program. This increase would have raised the level of funding for that program to $7,176,000 million- the same amount in the last budget of the Corzine administration. Unfortunately, Governor Christie vetoed that increase in the final budget before he signed the bill. The NJ Senate did not attempt to override the Governor’s veto of this line item. Therefore, the amount for the state per capita aid program remains at $3,676,000.
- The amount of funding for the NJ Library Network remained unchanged at $4,299,000.
- The amount of funding for the operational NJ State Library is $5,087,000.
- State funding for library programs was significantly reduced in the FY11 state budget by 42% from the amount in the FY10 budget.
- The FY12 budget keeps funding for library programs at the FY11 level.
RECENTLY ENACTED LIBRARY LEGISLATION
P.L. 2011, c.38 (S2068/A2679/A3240) Provides dedicated line item on property tax bill to fund municipal free public libraries and joint free public libraries.Primary sponsors Senator Nia Gill ( District 34), Assemblyman Uprendra Chivukula ( District 17),Assemblyman Ruben Ramos ( District 33), Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle ( District 37) and Assemblyman Frederick Scalera ( retired). Co-sponsored by Senator Sandra Cunningham ( District 31) and Assemblywomen Amy Handlin ( District 13), Mila Jasey ( District 27) and Assemblymen John McKeon ( District 27), Jason O’Donnell ( District 31), Thomas Giblin (34).
Testimony of Patricia A. Tumulty before the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee Oct. 18, 2010 http://www.njla.org/statements/housing_local_gov.pdf
Local Finance Notice to implement the law http://www.state.nj.us/dca/lgs/lfns/11lfns/2011-14.doc
FAQ on new legislation: http://www.njla.org/statements/municipaltax_faq.pdf
Sample press release: http://njla.org/statements/taxbill.pdf
P.L. 2010, c. 83 (A2911 / S2070) Requires transfer of municipal free library surplus amounts above 20% to municipality for its general purposes, which may include property tax relief. Sponsored by Assemblyman Vincent Prieto ( District 32), Assemblywoman Joan Quigley (District 32) Senator Nicholas Sacco (District 32) Senator James Beach (District 6).Passed both Houses of the Legislature on June 28, 2010.NJLA opposed this legislation for several reasons. The legislation was unnecessary since it amended a voluntary process which had been working very well for several years. The new legislation removed protections for county libraries and removed over site by the New Jersey State Library. This legislation was subsequently conditionally vetoed by Governor Christie. Veto message at: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/A3000/2911_V1.HTM. The Governor put back many of the safeguards which the library community requested. Amends P.L. 2008 c. 8. S429/A1265 signed into law on April 7, 2008.
The Assembly passed the bill with the Governor’s recommendations on Sept. 20, 2010. The Senate passed the bill with the Governor’s recommendations on Oct. 18, 2010. The bill was signed by Governor Christie on Oct. 27, 2010 as P.L. 2010, c. 83.
New Jersey State Librarian will administer the new law. Information from the NJ State Library on implementing the new law is at: http://ldb.njstatelib.org/ldb_files/NJSA40_54-15.doc
http://njla.org/legislative/return_of_funds_faq.pdf
Q&A: Transfer of Excess Library Funds to the Municipality
The new legislation permits library boards to retain funds for capital projects. Sample resolution at: http://www.njla.org/legislative/reservecapitalfunds.pdf
P.L. 2009, C.141-Concerns Citizen Service on Municipal Authorities, Boards and Commissions. Requires municipal officials including library trustees to take an oath of office.
PENDING LEGISLATION
Dissolution OF Free Public Libraries
- S716 by Senator Joseph Penacchio (District 26). It is in the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. Introduced Jan 12, 2010. The bill would proscribe the referendum process which a municipality must follow to dissolve a municipal public library. The NJLA Public Policy Committee is currently reviewing this legislation.
- A2284 by Assemblyman Alex DeCroce (District 26). Identical legislation to S716.
(NJLA is proposing amendments to this legislation.)
LIBRARY FUNDING
NJLA supports the passage of the following pieces of legislation
- A2765 Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (District 14) and Assemblywoman Joan Voss (District 38). Requires certain cable television companies to offer free Internet access to public libraries. Referred to the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee. S2561 Senator Linda Greenstein (District 14). Companion to A2765. Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee
- A2742 Assemblywoman Linda Stender ( District 22), Assemblyman Thomas Giblin (District 34), Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan ( District 18) and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (District 11). Voted out of the Assembly State Government Committee. Waiting vote by the full Assembly. S2863 Senator Steven Oroho ( District 24) and Senator Paul Sarlo (District 36). Companion to A2742 Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
- A3812 Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (District 20).Creates the option to make voluntary contribution for the support of local libraries on income tax returns. Referred to the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee
- A3971 Assemblyman Craig Coughlin ( District 19) and Assemblyman Daniel Benson ( District 14). Prohibits municipal library trustees from transferring donated fund to municipality. Voted out of the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee. Waiting vote by the full Assembly.
- AR38 Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (District 38) and Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (District 29). Memorializes President and Congress to use a portion of expected stimulus money to update and renovate deteriorating public libraries in the State. Referred to the Assembly Education Committee 1/12/2010
NJLA opposes the following legislation
- S683 Senator Paul Sarlo ( District 36), Senator Steve Sweeney (District 3) and Senator Brian Stack ( District 33). Reduces municipal library tax levy cap from 15% to 4%. Introduced Jan. 12, 2010. Referred to the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
- A 2167 Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (District 21). Permits municipal board of library commissioners to reduce library tax rate when municipality acquires new ratables Introduced 2/11/2010. Referred to Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee
- A2555 Assemblyman John DiMaio (District 23) and Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll ( District 25) eliminates the dedicated 1/3 mil funding for municipal libraries. Local municipalities will determine the level of funding. Introduced March 16, 2010 Referred to the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee
- S1738 Senator Brian Stack ( District 33) and Senator Robert Singer ( District 30 ) Allows appointment of certain municipal officers and employees to municipal library board of trustees. Introduced March 11, 2010. Referred to the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
- A2852 Assemblyman Wisniewski (District 19). Revises requirement that library tax be assessed against equalized value of property. Referred to the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee.
PENSION LEGISLATION
The following legislation was signed into law and makes revisions to the state pension and health system. The P.L. 2011, c. 78 (S2937/A4133) was signed into law on June 29, 2011. For more information see: http://www.njslom.com/pension-health/2011-0624-pension-changes.html
Federal Legislation
ALA District Dispatch (the latest from the American Library Association’s Washington Office)
H.R. 1616 Workforce Investments through Local Libraries Act' or the `WILL Act'. To amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to integrate public libraries into state and local workforce investment boards, and for other purposes. Sponsored by Representative Rush Holt ( NJ-12) and co-sponsored by six others congressmen including Representative Donald Payne(NJ-10) and Representative Albio Sires (NJ-13) NJLA supports this legislation.
USA PATRIOT ACT
Congress has extended the three key sections of the USA Patriot Act including section 215( commonly called the library records provision) until June 1, 2015. More information can be found http://www.districtdispatch.org/2011/05/congress-renews-usa-patriot-act-without-needed-reforms/
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