Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/08/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
SB119 | |
SB57 | |
HB13 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ | SB 57 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | HB 13 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+= | SB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 119 "An Act establishing a grant program to support public school libraries." [A previous motion to adopt CSHB 119(FIN), version C, was withdrawn.] Senator Olson MOVED to ADOPT CSSB 119(FIN), labeled 25- LS0749\M, Mischel, 2/5/08. Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion purposes. 9:23:00 AM DARWIN PETERSON, STAFF, SENATOR BERT STEDMAN, explained that the current version of the bill changes Section 1, the library construction and major expansion matching grant program part of the bill, from having the Department of Education administrating the grant to the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. The Board of Education is no longer involved in adopting the regulations. The major expansion is now defined as an expansion to increase the square footage of a structure by not less than 30 percent. On page 2, line 3, eligibility requirements are outlined. A library has to be publically owned and operated and located in a community with a population of less than 10,000 persons. Local communities must now provide a match of 20 percent or more. The state can contribute no more than 50 percent. Private donors would pick up the rest. The library collection grant has been changed in subsection (c), line 24, to say that if there is not enough money appropriated, it goes to the highest ranking eligible grantee. If there is too much money appropriated, it goes back into the general fund. 9:26:13 AM Mr. Peterson described the change on page 3, lines 23 - 25, which was in response to Senator Elton's concern that schools may use the money to supplant their responsibility. The library collection grants may not be used to supplant school district library expenditures. Co-Chair Hoffman asked about the criteria to rank applicants. Mr. Peterson replied that the criteria will be developed by the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development through regulations. Senator Olson referred to the eligibility section of the bill and asked if some libraries are being excluded. Mr. Peterson replied that the grant is for construction and major expansion of publically owned libraries, not for school libraries. He said the title was changed to reflect that. Part of the bill deals with public school library collection grants and part of the bill deals with construction grants for public libraries in small communities. 9:27:59 AM Co-Chair Stedman WITHDREW his objection to adopt version M of SB 119. There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 9:28:25 AM JUDITH MCQUERRY, KETCHIKAN, testified in support of SB 119. She asked why there was a population limit of 10,000 for communities. She thought the community of Ketchikan would not qualify for the grant, however, the municipality of Ketchikan would. Co-Chair Stedman clarified that the city of Ketchikan would qualify for the grant program with a population of 7,622. Smaller communities would apply and be ranked, and then the legislature would approve a block of funds. Large populations such as Juneau with 30,000 would not qualify. 9:31:06 AM TARALEE ALCOCK, LIBRARIAN, PETERSBURG, testified in support of the bill. She addressed Section 1, library construction and major expansion matching grant program. She described the need for a new library in Petersburg as urgent. She noted that financial support by the community was essential. JULIE HURSEY, PETERSBURG, testified in support of SB 119, especially the state matching fund component. She detailed plans for a new Petersburg library. 9:34:57 AM MELINDA HOFSTAD, PETERSBURG, testified in support of SB 119. She spoke of the diligent work of a local community group toward building a new library in Petersburg. She praised the local librarian and shared statistics about library usage. She mentioned local fundraising efforts for a new library. 9:38:04 AM Senator Thomas commented that the definitions of "community" and "on-going maintenance" should be clarified. Co-Chair Stedman explained that the issues of on-going maintenance and fiscal capability would be addressed in department regulations. He pointed out that the bill is going forward without the funding in it, but regulations would be written. Mr. Peterson spoke of researching the definition of "community". Legislative Legal Services explained that the term is used throughout statutes and is an all-encompassing term that includes towns, cities, and boroughs. Senator Thomas asked if a community could be just an area that has existed for a long time. Mr. Peterson said the community does not have to be organized. The provision in the CS states that the community would have to provide a 20 percent matching grant, which would eliminate very small communities. Senator Dyson asked if a community defined by federal law would qualify. Mr. Peterson replied that it would. For example, the community of Metlakatla would qualify. Senator Dyson asked if tribes and villages would. Mr. Peterson replied that they would also qualify. Senator Dyson inquired if a community not recognized by state law, but recognized under federal law, would qualify. Mr. Peterson said if a community is not recognized by state law it would not qualify. He offered to research the subject further with the drafter of the bill. 9:42:57 AM Senator Olson MOVED to REPORT CSHB 119(FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSSB 119(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with new zero fiscal note by the Department of Education and Early Development. 9:44:24 AM
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