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