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Library Funding

Both the Texas Senate and the House of Representatives have adopted the budget conference committee report (i.e., the final version of the state’s budget for fiscal years 2008-09). The approved budget contains $7 million in new funding for library programs.

K-12 Database Access ($5 million over the biennium)

The state has fully funded the request for K-12 database access for the coming biennium. Through Rider 88 to the Texas Education Agency budget, $2.5 million per year will be directed toward the purchase and administration of online research and information resources for school libraries. The Legislature has directed the Texas Education Agency to contract with the State Library and Archives Commission for provision of these resources.

Direct Aid for Public Libraries ($2 million over the biennium)

The state has appropriated an additional $1 million per year for the Loan Star Libraries grant.

TexShare Databases

The final conference report did not recommend the Senate proposal for an additional $500,000 per year for TexShare databases. The final budget does, however, fund the current allocation of TexShare databases with all state general revenue funds and not with any dedicated general revenue funds.

Overall TSLAC Budget

The state did reinstate most of the 10% cut (requested of all agencies last fall), although some administrative funds were not restored in various areas in the budget. The state increase of $1 million for Loan Star Libraries per year represents almost a 38% increase in the program funding level of 2007. (As a point of comparison, the proposed federal increase for grants to libraries, through the Library Services and Technology funding, represents approximately a 4% increase over last fiscal year.)

Library Related Bills

SB 913 (Brimer)/ HB 2845 (McClendon)

The State Library’s reauthorization legislation has been signed by the governor and is effective Sept. 1, 2007. As per the initial recommendations outlined by the Sunset Commission last fall, the bill continues the agency for another 12 years and requires it to: 1) remove the system funding formula from statute and adopt a new formula through rule that provides flexibility but provides funding for basic system support services (TSLAC is working on a short-term rule while the library community undertakes a broad discussion on a longer-term approach); 2) distribute a portion of system funds in competitive grants (While no timetable was specified, the agency is moving in this direction, although funding is limited); 3)eliminate TSLAC’s statutory certification of county librarians (The agency still retains rule-making authority over accreditation of libraries); and 4) promote collaboration among Texas institutions in developing online tools for searching digitized cultural resources.

School Library Study
In addition to these recommendations, SB 913 also contains a provision requested by the Texas Library Association requiring the Texas Education Agency and the State Library to implement a study of school library needs and the respective roles of each agency in addressing those needs. The study must be completed by the end of 2008.

Public Library Systems and Program Income
SB 913 also contains language allowing the regional and major resource library systems to retain program income at the end of each fiscal year to reinvest in library programs. This authority was sought by the systems in order to allow them to undertake increasingly entrepreneurial activities to benefit libraries.

HB 218 (Brown) — The bill would have required voters to present proof of identification (including library cards). The Senate did not pass the bill.

HB 239 (Alonzo) — This bill, as substituted, specified that the Texas State Library and Archives Commission can require municipal libraries serving populations of 50,000 or more to provide high speed Internet access. The bill did not clear the Senate.

HB 605 (Howard) HB 605 (D. Howard)/ SB 241 (Fraser) — The bill clarified territory issues related to the creation of public library districts. The bills did not move forward.

HB 735 (Straus III), HB 1255 (Isett), HB 1348 (Thompson)/ SB 294 (Williams)
These bills called for the elimination of the telephone assessment collected under the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) statutes. Library supporters will recall that all TIF monies were redirected in 2003, and no library has received grant money since 2002. The state later moved the dedicated funding into the General Revenue fund and all the funds collected are now being used for state budgeting purposes. None of these bills called for the redirection of funds to schools, libraries, and hospitals. The bills essentially eliminate the assessment as it is no longer used for its original purpose. None of these bills relate to the telecommunications discounts for libraries, higher education, and schools. Those discounts are unaffected. The legislature has passed this measure, although the assessment will still be collected up through fiscal year 2008. The passage of the bill has no affect on funding of any program in the 2008-2009 Appropriations Bill.

HB 791 (Dutton) would have added criteria in the rules for rating a school district under the public accountability system that includes consideration of the effectiveness of the district’s delivery of resources through school libraries. The bill died in committee.

HB 1632 (Eissler, et al) would have expanded the Texas Technology Immersion Pilot project and authorized the Texas Education Agency to use money from the general revenue fund for purposes of the pilot project. The bill did not clear the Senate.

HB 1771 (Villareal) — The bill would have allowed local governments to charge an impact fee to support capital improvements, including libraries. The bill died in committee.

HB 2930 (Van Arsdale) — The bill offered exemptions to some school districts from meeting TEA rules concerning the physical size of computer labs and libraries. The bill died in committee.

HB 3125 (Macias) — The bill related to the issuance of bonds or other obligations by library districts. The bill died in committee.

HCR 143 (Strama) — This resolution would have tasked TEA with the creation of a Commission on Online Learning. This resolution did not clear the Senate.

HJR 88 (Straus) / SJR 34 (Wentworth) — These resolutions proposed a constitutional amendment concerning the use of ad valorem taxes to fund a public library district. Neither proposal was heard in committee.

SB 1207 (Hegar) — The bill gives county commissioners the authority to remove appointed members of special districts who engage in misconduct. The bill has been sent to the governor for signing.

SB 940 (Wentworth)/ HB 2711 (Straus III) — The bill amended language regarding the establishment of library districts created under Chapter 336 of the Local Government Code. The bill has been sent to the governor for his signature.

SB 550 (Patrick) – This legislation would have directed that 65% of available general fund revenue allocated by school districts be designated for direct instructional activities. The bill did not get a hearing and died in committee.

SB 1788 (Shapiro)/ HB 277 (Madden) — The measure creates a state virtual school network to provide online education to students through electronic means. The bill also relates to the partnership between higher education and TEA is delivering such courses. The bill has been sent to the governor for his signature.