AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 4 of section 54-24-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the powers and duties of the state librarian.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Jeff Barta and 5 co-sponsors

The State Library must provide access to materials to libraries, state departments, and residents lacking adequate facilities under its own rules.

Filed with Secretary Of State 04/16

Purpose and intent

The bill modifies the statutory description of one of the state librarian’s duties to clarify and confirm the State Library’s authority and responsibility to make library materials available across the state — including to state departments and to North Dakota residents who lack adequate local library facilities — consistent with rules adopted by the State Library.

Key provision

Amends subsection 4 of NDCC § 54‑24‑03 to read (in substance):

The State Library shall make library materials available to:
libraries throughout the state;
individuals connected with departments of state; and
citizens of North Dakota who do not have adequate library facilities;
such distribution and access are to be provided under the rules of the State Library.

This is a targeted statutory revision that replaces the existing language of subsection 4 with the text above.

Who is affected

State Library / State Librarian: clarifies/affirms a statutory duty and the rulemaking basis for statewide distribution and access policies.

Local public libraries and library systems: may receive materials or access under the State Library’s rules.

State agencies and employees: individuals connected with state departments are explicitly included as potential recipients.

North Dakota residents without adequate local library facilities: explicitly recognized as beneficiaries of State Library services.

Rulemaking and administrative staff: may need to review or adopt rules to implement the duties as restated.

Expected impacts

Administrative: The change largely clarifies and codifies the State Library’s role and authority; it is not framed as creating new programs or funding. Any operational impacts (e.g., adjustments to outreach, lending, or delivery policies) would be implemented through the State Library’s rulemaking and existing administrative processes.

Fiscal: No explicit appropriation or funding change is included in the amendment. Anticipated fiscal impact is minimal or limited to routine administrative changes unless the State Library expands services in response to the clarified duty.

Procedural / timeline notes

Sponsors and drafters: bill text as introduced by Representatives Murphy, Hanson, Ista, Schreiber‑Beck and Senators Barta, Cleary (per introduced/enrolled documents).

Committee action: Political Subdivisions Committee adopted the amendment language (documented Jan 30, 2025).

Legislative action: enrolled/passages recorded in the bill file (House and Senate votes appear unanimous in the enrollment document: House 90–0; Senate 46–0).

Status: According to the provided docket entries, the enrolled bill was transmitted and (per the provided timeline) filed with the Secretary of State on April 16, 2025.

Note: The supporting materials provided included documents titled “HB 1254” from other states and contexts (unrelated bills with the same number). This summary addresses the North Dakota HB 1254 (amending NDCC § 54‑24‑03) per the bill title and committee/enrollment documents included in the packet.

Bill