State Budget Updates

FY22 State Budget

Per Capita State Aid Increased by $1million in New Jersey’s FY22 Budget

Bordentown, NJ, July 20, 2021: The Executive Board of the New Jersey Library Association is pleased to announce that a $1 million increase in Per Capita State Aid (PCSA), is included in the State of New Jersey’s FY22 Budget, signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on June 29, 2021. This is the first time that the PCSA has received a positive adjustment in over 10 years!

The Per Capita State Aid and the Library Network Aid Bill (LNAB), are the primary funding bills that are legislatively approved for New Jersey’s public Libraries. In 2009, Governor Chris Christie reduced both the PCSA and LNAB by 47%. Both appropriations were flat funded until now. The PCSA provides direct aid to public libraries through the New Jersey State Library. The LNAB supports resource sharing through the statewide information center, JerseyCat, and statewide delivery services to all types of libraries through LibraryLinkNJ.

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Recently Enacted Library Legislation

P.L. 2011, c.38 (S2068/A2679/A3240)

Provides dedicated line item on property tax bill to fund municipal free public libraries and joint free public libraries. Primary sponsors Senator Nia Gill ( District 34), Assemblyman Uprendra Chivukula ( District 17),Assemblyman Ruben Ramos ( District 33), Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle ( District 37) and Assemblyman Frederick Scalera ( retired). Co-sponsored by Senator Sandra Cunningham ( District 31) and Assemblywomen Amy Handlin ( District 13), Mila Jasey ( District  27) and Assemblymen John McKeon ( District 27), Jason O’Donnell ( District 31), Thomas Giblin (34).

Signed 3/21/2011.

P.L. 2010, c. 83 (A2911 / S2070)

Requires transfer of municipal free library surplus amounts above 20% to municipality for its general purposes, which may include property tax relief. Sponsored by Assemblyman Vincent Prieto ( District 32), Assemblywoman Joan Quigley (District 32) Senator Nicholas Sacco (District 32) Senator James Beach (District 6).Passed both Houses of the Legislature on June 28, 2010.NJLA opposed this legislation for several reasons. The legislation was unnecessary since it amended a voluntary process which had been working very well for several years. The new legislation removed protections for county libraries and removed over site by the New Jersey State Library.  This legislation was subsequently conditionally vetoed by Governor Christie. Veto message at: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/A3000/2911_V1.HTM. The Governor put back many of the safeguards which the library community requested. Amends P.L. 2008 c. 8. S429/A1265 signed into law on April 7, 2008. The Assembly passed the bill with the Governor’s recommendations on Sept. 20, 2010. The Senate passed the bill with the Governor’s recommendations on Oct. 18, 2010. The bill was signed by Governor Christie on Oct. 27, 2010 as P.L. 2010, c. 83.

 Information from the NJ  State Library at: http://lss.njstatelib.org/lss_files/MUNICIPAL%20AND%20JOINT%20LIBRARY%20...

For a packet about Return of Funds: http://lss.njstatelib.org/lss_files/ReturnOfFundsPacket08092013.zip

P.L. 2011, c.224 (A3971/S3110).

Prohibits municipal library trustees from transferring donated funds to municipality. Prime sponsors were Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (District 19), Assemblyman Daniel Benson ( District 14) and co-sponsors by Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (District 17), Senators Joseph Vitale ( District 19), Nia Gill (District 34), Diane Allen (District 7) and Linda Greenstein (District 14.)

P.L. 2009, C.141

Concerns Citizen Service on Municipal Authorities, Boards and Commissions. Requires municipal officials including library trustees to take an oath of office.

 

P.L. 2014 c.47 (A1314/1813)

P.L. 2014 c.47 (A1314/1813)

Creates the option to make a voluntary contribution for the support of local libraries on gross income tax returns. Sponsored by Assemblywomen Annette Quijano (District 20) and Valerie Vainieri Huttle (District 37).  Additional sponsors Assemblymen Daniel Benson (District 14) Troy Singleton (District 7), Gilbert Wilson (District 5), Reed Gusciora (District 15), Angelica Jimenez (District 32), Upendra Chivukula (District 17), John McKeon (District 27) Craig Coughlin (District 19) and Assemblywomen Mila Jasey (District 27), Pamela Lampitt (District 6), and Nancy Pinkin (District 18).  Voted out of the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee on Feb. 6 and by the full Assembly on  Feb. 27, 2014 with a vote of 74-0.

S1803 (companion legislation). Sponsored by Senator Jeff VanDrew (District 1) was voted out of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee on March 17. S1803/A1314 was passed by the full Senate on May 12 with a vote of 39-0.

This bill was signed into law on Sept.10. 2014 by Governor Christie. It is now P.L. 2014 c.47.

 

P.L. 2013, c.56 (S1358/A2971)

States that a municipal public library established by referendum can only be dissolved by the voters of a community through a referendum.  The legislation provided a parallel dissolution structure for municipal libraries which had been already provided under both joint and county library legislation. Sponsors of this legislation were Senator Joseph Pennacchio (District 26), Senator Jeff Van Drew ( District 1), Assemblyman Craig Coughlin ( District 19), Assemblyman Albert Coutinho ( District 29), Assemblywoman Mila Jasey ( District 27) and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (District 20). Signed into law by Governor Christie on May 9, 2013

P.L.2017 c. 149 (A222/S2171)

A222  "New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act" authorizes issuance of 125,000,000 in general obligation bonds to finance capital projects at public libraries; appropriates $5,000.  Sponsored by Assemblyman Wayne DeAngleo ( District 14) Additional sponsors are:  Assemblymen Thomas Giblin (District 34), Troy Singleton (District 7), Jamel Holley (District 20), Daniel Benson ( District 14) Gordon Johnson (District 37), John Burzichelli (District 3), John Wisniewski (District 19), Joe Danielsen (District 17), John McKeon (District 27), Jack Ciattarelli (District 16), Craig Coughlin (District 19),  Jon Bramnick (District 21), Tim Eustace (District 38), Robert Karabinchak (District 18), Ronald Dancer (District 12), Ralph Caputo (District 28) , James Kennedy (District 22), Jerry Green (District 22), Nicholas Chiaravalloti (District 31), Andrew Zwicker (District 16), Gary Schaer (District 36), Assemblywomen Shovonda Sumter (District 37), Annette Quijano (District 20), Mila Jasey (District 27), Patricia Egan Jones (District 5),Cleopatra Tucker (District 28),Valerie Vainieri Huttle (District 37), Nancy Munoz (District 21),Angela McKnight (District 31), Elizabeth Muoio (District 15), Shelia Oliver (District 34), Holly Schepisi (District 39), Angelica Jimenez (District 32), Amy Handlin (District 13),Annette Chaparro (District 33) , Marlene Caride (District 36), Blonnie Watson (District 29), Pamela Lampitt (District 6) and Gabriela Mosquera (District 4)

This bill was reported out of the Assembly State and Local Government Committee on April 4, 2016.  Assemblymen Singleton, Holley and Eustace voted for the bill. Assemblymen Carroll and Webber voted against the bill.

This bill was voted out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee on June 19, 2017 by a vote of 9-2. Voting for the bill were: Assemblymen John Burzichelli, Joseph Lagana, Herb Conaway, Gary Schear, Assemblywomen Marlene Caride, Pamela Lampitt, Gabriela Mosquera, Annette Quijano and Holly Schepisi. Voting against the bill were Assemblyman John DiMaio and Assemblywoman Gail Phoebus.

Passed the Assembly June 22, 2017 by a vote of 63-12-1.

The voters of New Jersey passed The New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act on Nov. 7, 2017 by a 60-40% margin.

S2171  is the senate companion to A222. It is sponsored by Senator Christopher Bateman (District 16) , Senator Linda Greenstein (District 14) and Senator Brian Stack (District 33) are prime sponsors. Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (District 5), Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (District 29), Senator Joseph Vitale (District 19), Senator Patrick Diegnan (District 18), Senator Robert Gordon (District 38), Senator Thomas Kean (District 21)  Senator Nicholas Sacco (District 32) , Senator Raymond Lesniak (District 20),Senator Nia Gill (District34). Senator Anthony Bucco (District 25), Senator Steven Orocho  (District 24), Senator Samuel Thompson (District 12) , Senator Nicholas Scutari (District 22), Senator Diane Allen (District7), Senator  Sandra Cunningham (District 31), Senator Loretta Weinberg (District 37) and Senator Joseph Pennacchio (District 26). are co-sponsors.

This bill was voted out of the Senate Urban and Community Affairs Committee on June 19, 2017 with 4 members voting yes.  They were: Senator Jeff Van Drew (District 1), Senator Brian Stack (District 33), Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (District 5), and Senator Christophe Connors (District 9). Senator Jennifer Beck (District 11) abstained.

The bill was passed by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on June 29. 2017 by a vote of 10-0-1.

Approved by the full Senate on July 4, 2017 by a vote of 31-2.

Signed into law July 21, 2017. P.L. 2017 c.149

P.L. 2017 c. 260 (A1427/S2633)

A1427 Permits increase in municipal free public library tax upon voter approval. Sponsored by Assemblymen Gordon Johnson (District 37), John Burzichelli (District 3), Joe Danielsen (District 17), John McKeon (District 27) Jack Ciattarelli (District 16), Craig Coughlin (District 19) and Daniel Benson (District 14)  and Assemblywomen Mila Jasey ( District 27)  Elizabeth Muoio (District 15) and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (District 37)

This bill has been referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee. This bill was released from the State and Local Government Committee on June 6, 2016.  This bill was passed by the full Assembly on Sept. 29, 2016 by a vote of 52-14  with 5 abstaining and 9 not voting.

S2633 Is the Identical legislation that has been introduced in the NJ Senate.  This bill is in the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. Senator Loretta Weinberg (District 37) and Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (District 5) are prime sponsors.Senator Jeff Van Drew ( District 1), Senator Patrick Diegnan (District 18) and Senator Christopher Bateman (District 16) are co-sponsors.

This bill was voted out of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee on Dec. 4, 2017. Passed the full Senate on Dec. 18, 2017 by a vote of 33-0.  Signed by Governor Christie Jan. 8, 2018.

 

NJLA Supports the Following Legislation

A3173

A3173 Makes supplemental appropriation of $750,000 to New Jersey Library Network for continuation of services. Sponsored by Asw. Carol Murphy ( District 7) and Asw Valerie Vanieri Huttle (District 37).   Referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee. 

 

S1311

Prohibits awarding of public contracts to Internet service providers, unless Internet service providers adhere to the principle of "net neutrality".

S1311 is sponsored by Senator Shirley Turner (District 15).

It was referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee

 

 

A850

Established Community Broadband Study Commission

A850 is sponsored by Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti (District 31) Referred to the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.

 

S1073/A2684

S1073  Authorizes public libraries to maintain supply of opioid antidotes and permits emergency administration of opioid antidote by librarian or other trained library employee.

Sponsored by Sen. Joseph Cryan (District 20).

A2684 sponsored by Asm John Armato (District 2), Asm Vincent Mazzeo (District 2) Asw. Valerie Vainieri Huttle (District 27), Asm. Ralph Caputo (District 28) 

In the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee.

 

 S1656/A2584

S1656 Requires CATV companies to provide free broadband Internet service and associated equipment to Public Libraries, under certain circumstances, other municipal buildings.  Sponsored by Senator Linda Greenstein (District 14)

Referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee. 

A2586 Requires CATV companies to provide free broad Internet service and associated equipment to Public Libraries, under certain circumstances, other municipal buildings.  Sponsored by Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (District 14)

Referred to the Assembly Telecommunications Committee. 


 A2584

A2584 Requires certain CATV companies to provide Internet service at public libraries with business customer class Internet access bandwidth and circuit capacity proportional to the public libraries' needs.

Sponsored by Asm Wayne DeAngelo ( District 14)

Referred to the Assembly Telecommunications Committee. 

S1586

S1586 Requires certain ratios of school library media specialist to students in public schools. The prime sponsors are Senator James Beach (District 6) Co-sponsor Senator Shirley Turner ( District 15)

Referred to the Senate Education Committee.

A248

A248 Requires instruction on information literacy in curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12.

Prime sponsors Assemblymen Wayne DeAngelo (District 14), Daniel Benson (District 14) Mila Jasey (District 27). Co-sponsores Asw. Shavonda Sumter (District 35) , Asw. Carol Murphy (District 7), Asm Robert Karabinchak (District 18)
In the Assembly Education Committee.

 

A1180

Allows public libraries to dispose of certain materials without advertising for bids.

A1180 by Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (District 16). Referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

A1767/S1577

S1577 Establishes the  "New Jersey Net Neutrality Act."


S1577 Prime sponsors are Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (District 5).

Referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee.


 SCR70 

SCR70 Urges BPU to investigate broadband Internet and landline telephone services in the  state's rural communities; urges State Board of Agriculture and Department of Agriculture to explore ways these services can be brought to State's rural communities. 

Sponsor Sen Steve Oroho (District  24)

Referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee.


 


 

Federal Legislation

ALA District Dispatch

Keep up to date on federal legislation with the ALA District Dispatch: News for Friends of Libraries.