LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Updated: Monday, January 25, 2010

RECENT LEGISLATION IMPACTING LIBRARIES

P.L. 2009, C.141-Concerns Citizen Service on Municipal Authorities, Boards and Commissions

• P.L. 2008 c. 8. S429/A1265 signed into law on April 7, 2008.
  Summary at: http://www.njla.org/legislative/chapterlaw8.pdf
  Sample resolution at: http://www.njla.org/legislative/reservecapitalfunds.pdf
• Statement by Executive Director Pat Tumulty On Senate Bill S429/ Assembly Bill A1265
• Update A1265 passed the Assembly on Feb. 2, 2008 /S429 passed the Senate on March 17, 2008. Signed by Governor Corzine on April 7, 2008.

REDUCTIONS TO LIBRARY PROGRAMS IN  FY10 NEW JERSEY STATE BUDGET

• State Per Capita Aid 10% cut from $7,973,000 to $7,176,000

(in FY 09 this program also received an 8% cut) from $8,665,000 to $7,973,000

• Library Network Aid 10% cut from $4,777,000 to $4, 299,000
• New Jersey Knowledge Initiative 28% cut from $2 million to $1,449,000
• Virtual Library Aid 10% cut from $1,300,000 to $1,170,000
• Total 12% cuts in library funding from FY09 to FY10
• NJ State Library Operational budget: $4,872,000. NJ State Library employees will also take furlough days in FY10.
• Proposed funding for library programs in FY10 budget is $14,094,000 from the FY09 total of $16,050,000

In FY07 the amount of state funding for library programs was $17,742,000 and in FY10 the proposed amount is  $14,094,000. Since FY07 State funding for library programs has been reduced 21%. Governor Christie will present his budget message on March 16, 2010.

LEGISLATION

DISSOLUTION OF FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
S716 by Senator Joseph Penacchio (District 26).  It is in the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. Introduced Janu. 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.

LIBRARY FUNDING

NJLA supports the passage of the following legislation

• S910 Senator Nia Gill District 34. Identical legislation was introduced last year. Referred to the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. Introduced 1/12/2010.
•  Testimony of NJLA in support of previous legislation bill

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.

Federal Legislation

ALA District Dispatch ( the latest from the American Library Association’s Washington Office)

Resolution on 2009 Reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act

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