SB 47 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE COUNCIL ON LIBRARIES.

Summary

This Act is the result of the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee's review of the Council on Libraries ("Council"). This Act updates the Council's membership composition, defines quorum, and adds other standard provisions, including member compensation and removal. One of the members that this Act adds to the Council is the president of the Delaware Association of School Libraries. At one time, the Department of Education had an Education Associate for Libraries, Media, and Technology, but that position no longer exists. This Act provides that, should the Department of Education ever re-establish that position or a position similar to it, the re-established position shall take the place of the president of the Delaware Association of School Librarians as a member on the Council. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Bill Text

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This bill updates the composition and operation of the Council on Libraries in Delaware, including membership changes and definitions of quorum and member compensation.

• § 8732

  The Council on Libraries is established.

  Removes redundant establishment language for the Council.

• § 8732

  The Council on Libraries shall serve Libraries (“Council”) serves in an advisory capacity to the Department and shall consider Department of State. → The Council considers matters relating to libraries and library standards throughout the State and such other matters as may be referred to it by the Governor, the Secretary of the Department Department of State, or the General Assembly may refer to the Council.

  Clarifies the advisory role of the Council and its functions.

• § 8732

  The Council consists of 11 members. Membership is composed as follows: → The Council shall be composed of 2 members who shall be elected annually by each County Library Advisory Board and who shall serve at its pleasure and 7 members appointed by the Governor.

  Revises the membership composition of the Council.

• § 8732

  The president of the Delaware Association of School Librarians. → The president may appoint a designee to serve in the president’s stead and at the president’s pleasure.

  Allows the president of the Delaware Association of School Librarians to appoint a designee.

• § 8732

  A member does not receive compensation but may be reimbursed for the member’s actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of the member’s official duties. → Members of the Council on Libraries shall serve without compensation, except that they may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incident to their duties.

  Clarifies compensation and expense reimbursement for Council members.

• § 8732

  A vacancy prior to the expiration of the term of a member of the Council on Libraries shall may be filled only for the remainder of that term.

  Changes wording related to handling vacancies on the Council.

• § 8732

  The number of members who must be present at a Council meeting in order to have quorum and conduct official business is a majority of members. → Counting for quorum does not include member positions that are vacant.

  Defines how quorum is calculated for Council meetings.

• § 8732

  The member’s appointing authority may consider the member to have resigned and may accept the member’s resignation.

  Clarifies the authority of appointing authorities regarding member removal.

Action History

1. June 28, 2023

   Signed by Governor

2. June 13, 2023

   Passed By House. Votes: 36 YES 5 ABSENT

3. April 04, 2023

   Reported Out of Committee (Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability)) in House with 2 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits

4. March 17, 2023

   Assigned to Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability) Committee in House

5. March 16, 2023

   Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

6. March 08, 2023

   Reported Out of Committee (Legislative Oversight & Sunset) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

7. February 17, 2023

   Introduced and Assigned to Legislative Oversight & Sunset Committee in Senate

Sponsors

• Stell Parker Selby · Primary
• Bryan Townsend · Primary
• Richard G. Collins · Primary
• Bryant L. Richardson · Primary
• Brian Pettyjohn · Primary
• Russell Huxtable · Primary
• Kendra Johnson · Primary
• Kyra L. Hoffner · Primary
• Sherry Dorsey Walker · Primary

Votes

Subjects