S 2812Funding & Budget

Libraries - State Aid to Libraries

This bill guarantees that the state provides full funding (25% match) to public libraries for fiscal year 2027.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Mar 4, 2026Committee Senate Finance

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the Rhode Island General Laws regarding state aid to public libraries. Currently, the state aims to reimburse cities and towns for 25% of their library expenditures, but this amount can be reduced proportionately if the state budget does not allow for the full amount. This bill mandates that for the fiscal year 2027 specifically, the state must pay the full fixed 25% share of library expenses to municipalities, effectively waiving the provision that allows for funding reductions during that year.

For younger readers

Libraries get money from the town where they are located and also from the state government. Usually, the state tries to help pay for about one-quarter of the library's costs. However, sometimes if the state is running low on money, they pay less than they promised. This new law says that for the year 2027, the state promises to pay the full amount they are supposed to. This helps make sure libraries have the money they need to stay open and provide books and computers for everyone to use.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Public LibrariesMunicipal GovernmentsLibrary PatronsStudentsTaxpayers

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Ensures consistent funding for public libraries, which serve as vital community hubs providing free access to information, internet, and educational resources for low-income populations.
Prevents austerity-driven cuts to library services during fiscal year 2027, protecting a key component of the social safety net and public education system.
Reinforces the state's constitutional duty to promote public enlightenment and education, supporting the idea that access to knowledge is a public right rather than a privilege.
The guarantee of full funding is temporary, applying only to fiscal year 2027, rather than establishing a permanent protection against funding cuts for public libraries.
Retains the funding formula based on local expenditures, which disproportionately benefits wealthier towns that can afford to spend more on their libraries, potentially widening the equity gap between rich and poor communities.
Does not increase the statutory reimbursement rate beyond 25%, failing to significantly expand state investment in public infrastructure beyond existing baseline targets.

For Conservatives

Adheres to the principle of matching funds, requiring municipalities to have "skin in the game" by basing state aid on local appropriations rather than unconditional handouts.
Supports literacy and education, which are traditional values essential for a productive workforce and an informed citizenry.
Limits the mandate to a specific timeframe (fiscal year 2027), avoiding a permanent, open-ended expansion of mandatory state entitlement spending.
Removes fiscal flexibility from the state budget process by mandating a fixed payment, potentially forcing the state to deficit spend or raise taxes if revenues are down in 2027.
Represents a state-level interference in fiscal management, preventing the legislature from prioritizing other potentially more urgent needs over library funding during that specific fiscal year.
Increases the tax burden on the state to subsidize municipal services that could arguably be funded entirely at the local level through property taxes.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 20 additions

SECTION 1. Section 29-6-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 29-6 entitled "State Aid to Libraries" is hereby amended to read as follows: 29-6-2. Public library services.

(a) 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.

(b) 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.

(c) 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 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.