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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
county free library districts; programs
Purpose
Allows a county free library district (library district) to provide funding for certain programs and resources to library patrons.
Background
A county board of supervisors (county BOS) may establish a library district at the county seat for the county and all cities and towns that elect to join or participate in the library district. The district may include brand libraries at locations determined by the county BOS. The county BOS serves as the Board of Directors (Board) of the library district (A.R.S. § 48-3901).
A library district is a political taxing subdivision and has all the powers, privileges and immunities generally granted to municipal corporations by the Arizona constitution and statute (A.R.S. § 48-3902). The Board must annually levy a library district tax in the same manner as other county secondary property taxes, which must be sufficient to establish the district and insure the payment of salaries, maintenance and other necessary expenses of the library district. The tax is levied and collected on all property in the county and incorporated cities and towns in the county (A.R.S. § 48-3903).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows a library district to offer or provide funding for:
a) making information, technology and resources available to every library patron;
b) providing a place for studying, researching, reading and learning;
c) providing educational and informational programs for all age groups; and
d) providing literacy promotion programs for all age groups, with special emphasis on early literacy, school readiness, adult literacy, digital literacy and workforce development.
2. Makes technical and conforming changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
GOV 2/06/20 DP 11-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/25/20 60-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 5, 2020
MH/CS/gs