Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/10/2008 08:30 AM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB218 | |
| SB119 | |
| SB303 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 303 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 259 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 218 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 120 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 119(RLS)
An Act relating to grant programs to support libraries.
Co-Chair Chenault MOVED to ADOPT work draft #25-LS0749\W,
Mischel, 4/8/08 as the version of the bill before the
Committee. There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted.
9:06:49 AM
SUZANNE ARMSTRONG, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MEYER,
explained that the changes to the work draft occur on Page
2, Section 2, which deals with the library major expansion
matching grant program. The changes are as follows:
· Subsection (d), Lines 4 - 8, provides that the
Department in developing regulations to implement
the matching grant program will establish
regulations for the consideration of a community
that does not currently have a public library. The
public library must be publically owned and operated
by the community and can not be a public school
library.
· On Page 2, Line 14, the $10,000 dollar eligibility
cap was removed.
Co-Chair Meyer clarified that every community would be
eligible for the grants and preference would be made for
those that do not currently have a library.
Representative Kelly asked the smallest qualifying area.
Ms. Armstrong responded that in order for a community to be
eligible, the library must be publically owned & operated by
a community and that it can not be a public school library.
With no population cap, it is assumed that a community must
have a public library or consider constructing a public
library owned by the local government and providing 50%
matching funds.
9:08:54 AM
Vice-Chair Stoltze asked about "library" spaces that are not
actually libraries but offer lending book services and if
they could apply.
9:09:45 AM
DARWIN PETERSON, STAFF, SENATOR BERT STEADMAN, referenced AS
14.56.400, which describes what a public library is.
A public library established under this section
shall provide the following services free of
charge to the residences of the municipality or
community:
o Establish and maintain a collection of books
& materials for loaning;
o Provide access to inner library loan
services;
o Provide reading or educational programming
for children; and
o Provide reference information.
Vice-Chair Stoltze questioned if they must meet all criteria
to qualify. Mr. Peterson stated they would have to provide
all criteria and would need to be publically owned and
operated.
9:12:09 AM
Representative Gara asked about the original preference for
the smaller communities and where that language was located.
Ms. Armstrong pointed out Page 2, the new subsection (d),
Lines 4-8, discusses the eligibility standards establishing
an eligibility priority for applications submitted by
communities that do not currently have a public library.
She pointed out concern that if all libraries in all
communities would be eligible, the smaller communities could
fall lower on the list.
Representative Gara understood that the small community
preference was being reduced. The larger communities will
be able to have major expansion proposals; however, a small
community is more likely to need repair and not to expand.
He pointed out that the way the bill is written, the entity
can only apply for a grant for construction or major
expansion. He asked about language to cover major repairs.
Mr. Peterson advised that in order to qualify for major
expansion, the community would need to provide 20% of those
funds.
9:15:05 AM
Representative Gara repeated his query regarding major
repairs. Mr. Peterson explained that the sponsor does not
intend to broaden the program. He thought that the Capital
budget should be the place to address issues such as roof
repairs.
9:16:30 AM
GINNY AUSTERMAN, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, provided
background that the bill, which began as a school library
grant collection to address items not normally covered. She
pointed out that Senator Olson does support the additional
changes.
9:17:18 AM
Representative Kelly discussed his concerns:
· Shifts occurring to the broadening use of internet
services; and the
· Shrinking community sizes.
He wanted to know that the communities actually applying for
the grants are thriving.
9:19:07 AM
Ms. Armstrong pointed out that there are eligibility
requirements and that the local government must provide
matching funds as well as private donors. Those proposals
would be submitted with the application and the Department
of Commerce, Community and Economic Development would make
the determination.
9:19:44 AM
Representative Joule asked if the sponsor supports the work
draft. Ms. Austerman said he does.
Representative Joule was disappointed that the community
size had been eliminated.
9:21:10 AM
Co-Chair Chenault requested testimony on the two
indeterminate fiscal notes. Mr. Peterson explained that the
Department had originally requested a new position to manage
the program and that request was zeroed out; the note before
the Committee indicates that intent. The regulations will
be promulgated during the interim and the libraries will
submit their applications and be ranked. The Legislature
will then have the opportunity to appropriate the funds if
they so choose.
Representative Thomas referenced Page 3, Line 23, the use of
"may", while on Page 3, Line 5 uses "shall". He pointed out
that "shall" was used consistently throughout the bill
except the referenced on Page 3. He advised that it should
be consistent throughout the bill. Ms. Austerman agreed
that was reasonable. Ms. Armstrong pointed out there are
two distinct programs within the bill, both of which the
Department would be considering.
9:24:51 AM
Vice-Chair Stoltze recalled previous legislation
highlighting the size of a municipality being 10,000 or
less, however, the work draft expands small community size.
He thought it would be difficult for certain populations
qualifying and that there were inequities being addressed.
He applauded the work done in the work draft.
9:27:10 AM
Representative Thomas MOVED to ADOPT conceptual Amendment 1,
Page 3, Line 23, deleting "may" and inserting "shall".
There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted.
9:28:08 AM
Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to REPORT HCS SB 119(FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
HCS SB 119(FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with indeterminate note #3 by the
Department of Education and Early Development and
indeterminate note #4 by the Senate Rules Committee.
9:28:46 AM
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