Bill
Bill > S0232
summary
Introduced
01/09/2026
01/09/2026
In Committee
04/07/2026
04/07/2026
Crossed Over
03/25/2026
03/25/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
This bill proposes to amend the statutes related to libraries and education grants to designate the third Monday in October as Vermont Libraries Day, expressly include public libraries in the list of eligible recipients of afterschool and summer reading funding from the Universal Afterschool and Summer Special Fund, expressly include public libraries in the list of community organizations eligible for early education funding, modify the term “collection” to include digital or physical materials wherever that term is used in the statute governing the duties of the Department of Libraries, require the Department of Libraries to publish guidance documents concerning grants and funding available to municipal S.232 public libraries, and expressly authorize municipalities to bond for improvements to any public library.
AI Summary
This bill designates the third Monday in October as "Vermont Libraries Day" to raise awareness about the vital services public libraries provide, such as learning, technological access, and support for social services. It also expands eligibility for state funding, explicitly including public libraries in programs that provide afterschool and summer reading opportunities from the Universal Afterschool and Summer Special Fund, and in early education funding initiatives. The bill clarifies that the term "collection" for the Department of Libraries includes both digital and physical materials and requires the department to provide guidance on available grants and funding for municipal public libraries. Furthermore, it grants municipalities the authority to issue bonds for capital improvements to any public library, recognizing their importance as community centers that often require facility upgrades to ensure inclusivity and meet programming needs.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education, Government Affairs
Sponsors (9)
Ruth Hardy (D)*,
Thomas Chittenden (D),
Alison Clarkson (D),
Martine Gulick (D),
Nader Hashim (D),
Ginny Lyons (D),
Joseph Major (D),
Tanya Vyhovsky (D),
Becca White (D),
Last Action
House Committee on Education Hearing (14:30:00 4/21/2026 Room M103) (on 04/21/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.232 |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0232/S-0232%20As%20passed%20by%20the%20Senate%20Official.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - S.232 – An act relating to public libraries and the Department of Libraries, As recommended by the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Draft 1.2 | https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Publications/2025-2026-Senate-Bills/S.232-Fiscal-Note-SAC-ID-404890.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - S.232 – An act relating to public libraries and the Department of Libraries, As recommended by the Senate Committee on Education, Draft 3.2 | https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Publications/2025-2026-Senate-Bills/S-v2.232-Fiscal-Note-SED-ID-404804.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0232/S-0232%20As%20Introduced.pdf |
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