BILL NUMBER: SB 1455	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	PASSED THE SENATE  MAY 28, 2014
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 14, 2014
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 27, 2014
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 6, 2014
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 9, 2014
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 26, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Senator DeSaulnier

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2014

   An act relating to public libraries.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1455, DeSaulnier. Public libraries: facilities: comprehensive
needs assessment.
   Existing law establishes the California Library Construction and
Renovation Bond Act of 1988 and the California Reading and Literacy
Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act
of 2000. Existing law authorizes the issuance of bonds, pursuant to
the State General Obligation Bond Law, in the amount of $72,405,000
in the 1988 bond act and in the amount of $350,000,000 in the 2000
bond act, for the purpose of financing public library construction
and renovation.
   This bill would require the State Librarian, using existing
resources, to prepare a comprehensive assessment on the statewide
need for the new construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of
public libraries and to submit a report to the Governor, the
Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst, and the appropriate
policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature on or before August
15, 2015. The bill would make findings and declarations related to
public libraries.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Reading and literacy skills are fundamental to success in our
economy and our society.
   (b) Public libraries are a vital part of the educational system.
They provide resources and services for all residents of California,
including preschoolers, out-of-school adults, senior citizens,
at-risk youth, and those attending schools at all levels.
   (c) In many cases, public libraries serve as a community's only
public point of access to resources for learning and, by extension,
self-sufficiency.
   (d) The construction and renovation of public library facilities
is necessary to expand access to reading and literacy programs in the
state public education system and to expand access to public library
services for all residents of California.
   (e) The need for public library facilities continues to grow. A
2007 needs assessment compiled by the California State Library found
that there is a need for over eight billion dollars ($8,000,000,000)
in public library funding.
   (f) In March 2000, California voters approved a bond measure of
three hundred fifty million dollars ($350,000,000) for public library
construction and renovation.
   (g) Due to the overwhelming response by applicants, the California
Public Library Construction and Renovation Board was forced to deny
approximately 75 percent of all applications due to lack of
additional bond funding.
  SEC. 2.  (a) The State Librarian shall prepare a comprehensive
assessment on the statewide need for the new construction,
renovation, and rehabilitation of public libraries, and submit a
report to the Governor, the Department of Finance, the Legislative
Analyst, and the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the
Legislature on or before August 15, 2015.
   (b) The comprehensive assessment shall be prepared by the State
Librarian using existing resources.