Bill > HB597

This bill modifies the funding calculation for Maryland's State Library Resource Center, which is housed in the Enoch Pratt Free Library System, by adjusting the per-resident funding amounts for fiscal years 2027 and beyond. Specifically, for regional resource centers, the bill sets the funding at $9.99 per resident for fiscal year 2027 and each subsequent fiscal year, which represents a slight increase from the previous fiscal year's rate of $9.79. For the State Library Resource Center itself, the bill establishes a more complex funding schedule: $2.15 per state resident in fiscal year 2027, increasing to $2.24 in fiscal year 2028, $2.33 in fiscal year 2029, $2.42 in fiscal year 2030, and then $2.52 per state resident in fiscal year 2031 and each fiscal year thereafter. These funding allocations are intended to support operating and capital expenses for library services, with the goal of providing and expanding access to specialized library materials and services across the state. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, allowing time for libraries and local governments to plan for these incremental funding increases.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0597?ys=2025RS