Bonding bill; spending authorized to acquire and better land and buildings and for other improvements of a capital nature, new programs established and existing programs modified, report required, prior appropriations modified and canceled, and money appropriated.

Library construction grants come with new conditions

The law names the program the Mary C. Murphy Library Construction Grants Program and provides $1 million for grants. It authorizes up to $1 million in state bonds to fund that spending. Regional library systems, regional library districts, and cities and counties operating public libraries can apply. Applicants must provide local matching money and adopt a policy banning viewing, printing, or sharing obscene material through library internet access. Accessibility grants cover the smaller of $450,000 or 50% of approved costs to remove barriers in existing libraries. This work can include needed additions or moving public spaces to ground level, but not accessibility costs in new buildings. Improvement grants cover the smaller of $1 million or 50% of approved costs for renovation, expansion, or new construction. Renovation can include fixing health or safety hazards. The education commissioner manages grants with input from the state Council on Disability and sets application forms and deadlines. Awards consider cooperation with other agencies, local tax burden, long-term feasibility, project suitability, and demonstrated need. When requests exceed funding, these factors and the commissioner's judgment determine awards; applicants receive prompt notice of any award. Recipients must provide project budgets and other requested information. Selling a bond-funded library that is no longer usable or needed requires state management and budget approval. Net sale proceeds first repay state bond funding, with the balance going to the local or regional owner. Applying those proceeds ends the property's state bond financing and related program requirements. These provisions take effect the day after final enactment.