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SB 2812

AN ACT RELATING TO LIBRARIES -- STATE AID TO LIBRARIES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 7 co-sponsors

The bill guarantees the state will fund at least 25% of local library spending (with endowment limits) and, in 2027, provides a fixed 25% match.

05/07/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2812

Summary of SB 2812 ( Rhode Island 2026 ) – AN ACT RELATING TO LIBRARIES — STATE AID TO LIBRARIES

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes how the state’s share of funding for local public library services should be calculated and provided to Rhode Island cities and towns.
  • Reaffirms the constitutional goal to promote public libraries as part of the education system and public welfare.

Key Provisions

Section 1: Public library services funding formula (amendment to § 29-6-2)

  • Findings:
    • Reiterates the duty of the General Assembly to support public libraries (per Rhode Island Constitution, Art. XII, Sec. 1).
    • Recognizes free public libraries as essential to democracy, education, culture, and lifelong learning.
  • State share calculation (general rule):
    • For each city or town, the state's share to support local public library services shall be at least 25% of:
    • The amount appropriated and expended in the second preceding fiscal year by the city or town from local tax revenues, plus
    • Funds from the public library’s private endowment that supplement the municipal appropriation.
    • Endowment cap:
    • The state shall not be obligated to match any endowment amount exceeding 6% of the three-year average market value (end of the calendar year) of investments in the endowment.
    • Pro-rata reduction:
    • If the total of all such state grants in a given year exceeds the appropriation for that year, the individual municipality grants shall be proportionally reduced.
  • Special provision for FY 2027:
    • In fiscal year 2027, the state’s share to each city and town shall be a fixed 25% of the amount appropriated and expended in the second preceding fiscal year from local tax revenues and the endowment supplements (i.e., a one-time fixed target rather than a variable match based on the prior year’s total).

Section 2: Effective date

  • The act takes effect upon passage (immediate effect upon signing).

Who/What is Affected

  • Local public libraries operating in Rhode Island, through their respective city or town governments.
  • Rhode Island municipalities (cities and towns) that receive state aid for public library services.
  • Public library endowments that supplement municipal library funding (subject to the 6% endowment cap).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction date: March 4, 2026.
  • Referred to Senate Finance; scheduled for hearing/consideration around May 7, 2026.
  • Effective date: upon passage (retroactive to enactment, with the FY 2027 fixed grant applicable starting then).

Potential Impact

  • Provides a predictable state funding floor (25%) for local library services, tying state support to local spending levels and endowment activity.
  • Introduces an endowment cap (6% of a 3-year average value) to limit state contributions relative to endowment size.
  • In FY 2027, introduces a fixed 25% match, potentially stabilizing funding for a transition period.
  • Could influence local library budgets and service levels by ensuring a minimum level of state support, while requiring municipalities to maintain or grow local investment in libraries to maximize state aid (subject to the 25% baseline and endowment cap).
  • If total state aid requests exceed available funding, grants would be proportionally reduced, affecting all participating municipalities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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