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Bill

H 715

PUBLIC LIBRARIES – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the powers and duties of library boards of trustees to hire and terminate library directors.

68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

The city council must approve hiring and terminating the library director, sharing personnel decisions with the library board.

Reported Signed by Governor on March 26, 2026 Session Law Chapter 150 Effective: 07/01/2026
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Bill Summary · H 715

Summary of Idaho House Bill 715 (2026)

Objective

HB 715 amends existing Idaho law to revise the powers and duties of public library boards of trustees and to modify the process for hiring and terminating a library director. The bill adds the city council to the entities that can participate in decisions about hiring and firing the library director, alongside the library board of trustees.

Key Provisions

  • Powers and duties of library boards (33-2607, Idaho Code)

    • The board of trustees for each city library retains baseline governance powers, including:
    • Establishing bylaws (governing the board itself).
    • Establishing policies and rules for library use and authorizing exclusion for rule violations.
    • Planning and maintaining library facilities, spaces, and related assets.
    • Acquiring real property (with city approval) and managing property ownership, construction, and disposal.
    • Budget preparation and expenditure control for the library.
    • Accepting gifts of money or property under library policy.
    • Hiring, supervising, and evaluating the library director; with the city council’s approval, the board can hire and terminate the library director.
    • Establishing policies for materials purchasing and distribution.
    • Attending board meetings and maintaining legal records.
    • Exercise of additional powers necessary for orderly management (not conflicting with law).

  • Library Director duties and hiring (33-2608, Idaho Code)

    • The library director is appointed by the board of trustees and serves at the pleasure of the board, but subject to the approval of the majority of the city council.
    • The board, with city council approval, can terminate the library director.
    • The library director advises the board, implements board policy, and supervises all library staff; acquires materials, equipment, and supplies.
    • The library director attends all board meetings but does not vote.
    • The board, following the library director’s recommendation, budgets for additional library staff as needed.
    • The library director is responsible for hiring or overseeing the hiring of all other library staff, following city policies and job descriptions. City personnel policies and classifications apply unless the city ordinance provides otherwise.

Affected Parties

  • Library governance bodies: City library boards of trustees (and their bylaws/policies) will continue to set governance direction but with explicit role for the city council in personnel decisions for the director.
  • City council: Given the requirement for majority city council approval for hiring and terminating the library director, the council gains a formal role in personnel decisions affecting the library director.
  • Library director and staff: Their appointment, retention, supervision, and hiring processes are affected by the joint authority between the board and the city council, and by the city’s personnel policies.
  • City entities and processes: Budgeting and human resources processes for libraries will continue to involve the board and city council, in line with the revised framework.

Timeliness and Procedural Details

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.
  • The act is designated as an emergency measure, indicating immediate applicability upon that date.
  • The bill follows the standard Idaho legislative path: introduction, committee action, passage through both chambers, and transmission to the governor. The final status shows it was enacted and signed, with the edition becoming law as Chapter 150.

Fiscal Impact

  • The accompanying fiscal note states no net change in state or local revenue or expenditures; the bill does not have an expected fiscal impact beyond existing budgeting and personnel processes.

Practical Implications

  • Libraries will operate under a governance framework where the city council shares in the control of hiring and terminating the library director, reducing sole board action in this area.
  • This change may affect timelines for director decisions, as council approval is required.
  • Policy and administrative processes around library staffing will align with city personnel policies, centralizing HR oversight.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison of current law versus the amendments, or a quick FAQ for library boards and city councils.

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

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