LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 363
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Chapter 363
(Senate Bill 847)
AN ACT concerning
Libraries – Capital Projects – State Share Adjustments
FOR the purpose of providing for a certain adjustment to the State share percentage for a
county library capital project under certain circumstances; and generally relating to
the State grant program for county public library capital projects.
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Education
Section 23–509
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Education
23–509.
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Capital project” means the:
(i) Acquisition of land or buildings for a county library; or
(ii) Construction or improvement of a county library.
(3) “Construction or improvement” means planning, design, engineering,
alteration, construction, reconstruction, enlargement, expansion, extension, improvement,
replacement, rehabilitation, renovation, upgrading, repair, or capital equipping.
(4) “County library” means a library in a county public library system in
the State.
(5) “State Library Agency” means the Maryland State Library Agency.
(b) (1) There is a State grant program for county public library capital projects
in the State Library Agency.
(2) The grant program is in addition to the county–State minimum library
program established under § 23–502 of this subtitle. Ch. 363 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(c) (1) The State Library Agency shall develop and administer a grant
program to assist in the funding of county library capital projects.
(2) The purpose of the grant program is to:
(i) Provide a uniform and objective analysis of proposed capital
projects; and
(ii) Support projects that address the library needs in the State.
(3) Grants under the program:
(i) Require a matching fund from any combination of county,
municipal, or private sources; and
(ii) May not be for an amount less than $20,000.
(d) (1) On or before July 15 of each year, a county public library system may
submit applications to the State Library Agency to receive grants for county library capital
projects for the next fiscal year.
(2) In order to apply for a capital project grant, a county public library
system shall have:
(i) A countywide library plan that includes a mission statement,
needs statement, and multiyear goals and objectives on file with the State Library Agency;
and
(ii) A master plan that includes a description of the capital project
approved by the applicant’s governing body.
(3) An application shall include:
(i) A description of the scope and purpose of the project;
(ii) A building plan that includes the estimated total cost of the
project; and
(iii) Any other information required by the State Library Agency.
(4) A county public library system may not apply for more than three
capital project grants in a fiscal year.
(e) (1) The State Library Agency shall review grant applications submitted in
accordance with subsection (d) of this section. LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 363
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(2) On or before October 1 of each year, the State Library Agency shall
make recommendations to the State Library Board regarding capital project grants for the
next fiscal year.
(3) In making its recommendations, the State Library Agency shall
consider:
(i) The public necessity and urgency of a project;
(ii) The need for additional sources of funding for a project;
(iii) The estimated cost and timeliness of executing a project;
(iv) The viability of matching funds for a project; and
(v) Geographic diversity.
(4) On or before November 1 of each year, the State Library Board shall:
(i) Approve capital projects for funding in the State budget for the
next fiscal year; and
(ii) Forward the list of approved capital projects to the Department
of Budget and Management.
(5) 1. For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2021, the Governor shall
include in the annual operating or capital budget submission $5,000,000 for county library
capital projects.
2. For fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor
shall include in the annual operating or capital budget submission $7,500,000 for county
library capital projects.
(f) (1) [The] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS
SUBSECTION, THE State share percentage for a county library capital project approved
under this section shall be calculated by dividing the State share of the minimum program
for a county calculated under § 23–505(b) of this subtitle by the library program amount
for a county calculated under § 23–503(b) of this subtitle, and multiplying this quotient by
1.25.
(2) (i) The minimum State share of a county library capital project is
50%.
(ii) The maximum State share of a county library capital project is
90%. Ch. 363 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(3) (I) A COUNTY IS ELIGIBLE F OR AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE STATE
SHARE PERCENTAGE FOR A COUNTY LIBRARY CAP ITAL PROJECT IF:
1. A COUNTY’S MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD I NCOME IS IN THE
BOTTOM QUARTILE IN T HE STATE; AND
2. THE STATE SHARE PERCENTAG E FOR A COUNTY
LIBRARY CAPITAL PROJ ECT IS 50%.
(II) 1. THE LOCAL SHARE O F A COUNTY LIBRARY C APITAL
PROJECT SHALL BE RED UCED TO EQUAL THE LO CAL SHARE OF THE ADJ ACENT
COUNTY THAT IS LESS THAN 50% BUT CLOSEST TO 50%.
2. THE STATE SHARE OF A COUN TY LIBRARY CAPITAL
PROJECT IN THE ELIGI BLE COUNTY SHALL BE INCREASED BY A PERCE NTAGE THAT
IS EQUAL TO THE REDU CTION UNDER SUBSUBPA RAGRAPH 1 OF THIS
SUBPARAGRAPH .
(g) The State Library Board shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with
§ 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, on or before October 1 of
each year, on State grants awarded for county public library capital projects for the prior
fiscal year.
(h) The State Library Board shall adopt regulations to implement the grant
program established under this section.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1, 2022. It shall remain effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 2025, this
Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no
further force and effect.
Approved by the Governor, May 16, 2022.