HB 8168 — AN ACT RELATING TO LIBRARIES -- STATE AID TO LIBRARIES

Summary

Increases reimbursement caps promulgated in 2018 and applies to eligible costs for library projects incurred from June 30, 2025 through June 30, 2031, or ending earlier if the Office of Library Information Services amends the regulations.

Bill Text

• 8168 View text Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill increases the reimbursement caps for state aid to library construction and capital improvement projects for a defined period, adjusting for inflation and adding provisions for automatic annual increases.

• 29-6-6

  the reimbursement caps for eligible project costs incurred during the period commencing June 30, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2031, or ending on such earlier date as the office of library information services promulgates amendments to the 2018 regulations which increase reimbursement caps to amounts above those amounts set forth in this subsection for the effective period shall be as follows: → the reimbursement caps for eligible project costs incurred during the period commencing June 30, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2031, or ending on such earlier date as the office of library information services promulgates amendments to the 2018 regulations which increase reimbursement caps to amounts above those amounts set forth in this subsection for the effective period shall be as follows: (i) Construction costs are eligible for fifty percent (50%) reimbursement of expenditures up to the amount of three hundred seventy dollars and twenty cents ($370.20) per square foot for new construction or three hundred and eight dollars and fifty cents ($308.50) per square foot for renovation and remodeling. If the actual construction costs exceed one or both of these amounts per square foot, the state share shall be based on the not-to-exceeded amounts. Cost per square foot shall be determined by the cost of contracts for new construction and/or contracts for expansion, remodeling and alteration of existing buildings. (ii) Site costs, including demolition, sitework, the acquisition of a site or building, site improvement and parking lots, are reimbursable up to the lesser amount of one million two hundred thirty-four thousand dollars ($1,234,000) or ten percent (10%) of the total project cost less the site costs. (iii) The total amount of reimbursement for any project shall not exceed twelve million three hundred forty thousand dollars ($12,340,000). (iv) Allowable costs include financing leases, but not operating leases, of library facilities, including land acquisition, construction, renovation, expansion, landscaping, parking facilities, fixtures, furnishings and equipment, fire suppression systems, and expenses related to meeting a high performance green building standard such as, but not limited to, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) standard. Any library or municipality that finances or refinances a project with bonds, notes, financing leases, or other evidences of indebtedness shall not require pre-approval from the office of library services, but shall file the financing or refinancing documents with the office of library services after the financing transaction is complete. (4) Notwithstanding any provision of law or agreement to the contrary, the increases in the caps on state grant-in-aid reimbursement for construction or capital improvement projects pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall apply retroactively to all eligible project costs incurred on or after July 1, 2025, whether the costs are subject to reimbursement under agreements executed before, on, or after June 1, 2025. All reimbursement agreements for construction or capital improvement projects executed by the office of library and information services shall be deemed amended by operation of law to incorporate the increased caps with respect to eligible project costs incurred during the effective period, and the office of library and information services is authorized and directed to adjust reimbursement payments accordingly, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Any maximum dollar amount, percentage, or other cap on state grant-in-aid reimbursement for construction or capital improvement projects established under, this subsection shall automatically increase by three percent (3%) on July 1 of each year, beginning July 1, 2027.

  This change establishes specific reimbursement limits for library construction and improvement projects, reflects current financial realities due to inflation, and allows for periodic increases to those limits.

Action History

1. April 08, 2026

   04/08/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

2. April 03, 2026

   04/03/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/08/2026)

3. February 27, 2026

   02/27/2026 Introduced, referred to House Finance

Sponsors

• David Morales · Primary
• Michelle E. McGaw · Primary
• John G. Edwards · Primary
• Rebecca M. Kislak · Primary
• Alex Finkelman · Primary
• Terri Cortvriend · Primary

Subjects