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H 7691Funding & Budget

Libraries - State Aid to Libraries

This bill guarantees that the state provides the full twenty-five percent matching funding for public libraries for fiscal year 2027.

Held for study
Population
Affected
45
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 11, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the Rhode Island General Laws regarding state aid to libraries for the fiscal year 2027. Currently, the state is required to contribute at least 25% of the amount a city or town spends on its library, but this amount can be reduced proportionately if total state appropriations are insufficient. This bill mandates that for fiscal year 2027 specifically, the state must pay the full fixed 25% share of local expenditures without any proportional reduction, guaranteeing that municipalities receive the full matching funds expected for that year.

For younger readers

This law is about making sure public libraries get the money they need to stay open and buy books. Usually, the state helps pay for libraries by matching the money towns spend. Sometimes, if the state runs out of money, they give libraries less than they promised. This new rule says that for the year 2027, the state promises to pay the full amount (25% of the cost) to every town for their libraries. This ensures libraries get exactly the amount of money they expect for that year.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Library PatronsMunicipal GovernmentsLibrarians and Library StaffStudentsTaxpayers
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Guarantees full state funding support for public libraries for fiscal year 2027, protecting essential community hubs that provide free access to information and education for all residents.
  • Prevents potential budget cuts to library services that disproportionately harm low-income individuals who rely on libraries for internet access, job searching, and social services.
  • Reinforces the state's constitutional obligation to promote public library services as a vital component of the educational system and democratic society.
  • Limits the guaranteed full funding to a single fiscal year (2027) rather than establishing a permanent protection against proportional reductions in state aid.
  • Relies on a funding formula based on local expenditures, which may continue to favor wealthier municipalities that can afford higher initial library budgets compared to poorer towns.
  • Does not increase the state's reimbursement rate beyond the existing twenty-five percent minimum, leaving municipalities to shoulder the majority of the financial burden.
For Conservatives
  • Provides fiscal certainty for municipal governments for fiscal year 2027, allowing for more accurate local budgeting and financial planning without fear of unexpected state aid cuts.
  • Maintains the principle of matching funds, ensuring that state aid is tied to local commitment and investment rather than unconditional government handouts.
  • Adheres to the specific requirements of the state constitution regarding the promotion of library services, supporting the rule of law.
  • Removes the state's flexibility to manage its budget by reducing aid proportionately during fiscal year 2027, potentially forcing spending elsewhere or requiring revenue increases if the budget is tight.
  • Mandates a fixed level of government spending, preventing the legislature from prioritizing tax cuts or debt reduction over library subsidies for that fiscal year.
  • Reinforces a system of state-level redistribution of taxpayer funds to municipalities, rather than encouraging total local fiscal independence.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 6 additions

SECTION 1. Findings of facts. The general assembly makes the following findings:

(1) The Constitution of the State of Rhode Island Article XII of Education, Section 1 states that it "shall be the duty of the general assembly to promote public schools and public libraries, and to adopt all means which it may deem necessary and proper to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education and public library services."

(2) Free public libraries are essential to the general enlightenment of citizens in a democracy;

(3) Free public libraries provide for the cultural, educational, informational, and research needs of all citizens;

(4) Free public libraries are an integral part of the educational system at all levels and a source for vocational information and continued learning, following the period of formal education;

(5) It is the responsibility of government at all levels to provide adequate financial support for all free public libraries;

(6) Throughout the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, public libraries across Rhode Island have adopted creative strategies to support their communities through daily virtual programming, free audiobook subscriptions, takeaway activity bags for youth, curbside book pick-ups, printing services, and limited indoor browsing.

SECTION 2. Section 29-6-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 29-6 entitled "State Aid to Libraries" is hereby amended to read as follows:

(a) For each city or town, the state’s share to support local public library services shall be equal to at least twenty-five percent (25%) of both the amount appropriated and expended in the second preceding fiscal year by the city or town from local tax revenues and funds from the public library’s private endowment that supplement the municipal appropriation; provided, however, the state in any year shall not be obligated to match any amount from the endowment that exceeds six percent (6%) of the three-year (3) average market value, calculated at the end of the calendar year, of the investments in the endowment. The amount of the grant payable to each municipality in any year in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately in the event that the total of those grants in any year exceeds the amount appropriated that year for the purposes of this section.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, in fiscal year 2027, the state shall pay each city and town a fixed twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount appropriated and expended by the city or town in the second preceding fiscal year, from local tax revenues and from the public library's private endowment that supplement the municipal appropriation for public library services.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.