CHAPTER 412
FORMERLY
SENATE BILL NO. 444
AS AMENDED BY SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1 AND HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29, DELAWARE CODE BY CREATING A DELAWARE PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE ACT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Amend Title 29 Delaware Code by adding thereto a new Chapter 66A to read as follows:
"Chapter 66A Library Construction
§6601A. This Chapter shall be known as the 'Delaware Public Library Construction Assistance Act.'
§6602A. Definitions - as used in this Chapter:
(1) 'Library Construction' includes, but is not limited to, the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling or enlargement of library buildings, the acquisition or installation of apparatus or equipment or the acquisition of land required as sites for such buildings, including land or rights in land needed to provide access to sites, and the grading or other improvements of such sites, land or rights in land, including the construction of sidewalks where authorized by law, the construction of any sewers or water mains needed to connect such buildings to any publicly-owned sewer system or water system. The following items are not considered to be included within the definition of 'Library Construction': supplies, furniture and equipment not attached to the building, computers, debt service on loans, maintenance items and operating costs.
(2) 'Total Cost' means the maximum sum or sums of money which may be spent for a library construction project, provided that nothing contained in this chapter shall prevent any non-state source from increasing said total cost by providing a larger amount from non-state sources than that stated as that non-state share, nor prevent the acceptance and use of any funds appropriated by the Congress of the United States for these purposes.
(3) 'State Share' means that maximum sum of money which may be paid from state sources for a library construction project.
(4) 'Non-State Share' means:
(a) A sum of money from sources other than State funds; (b) The fair market value of:
1. developed and/or undeveloped land not currently used as a public library site but to be used as the location for 'library construction' as defined herein, including parking lots; or
2. an existing facility under development not currently used as a public library but to be used as the location for 'library construction', as defined herein.
The aggregate value of the money, lands and facilities described in (a) and (b) above, when provided by any source other than the State and matched with the State share, will equal the total cost of the proposed library construction.
§6603A. Any public library, including privately incorporated public libraries, the Dover Public Library established pursuant to Chapter 158 of Part I, Volume 60, Laws of Delaware and public library systems established pursuant to Chapter 8 of Title 9 may be eligible for state assistance in library construction costs, with the state share representing up to 40% of the total cost of such library construction project.
§6604A. The Delaware Development Office shall review all proposals for funding under this chapter and make recommendations as part of the annual capital budget. This 'review shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the need for the project, scope of the project, total cost of the project, and availability of the non-state share. The Delaware Development Office, within thirty (30) days of receiving a request for state assistance under this chapter shall refer each proposal to the Division of Libraries and the Delaware Council on Libraries for their comments. The Division of Libraries and the Delaware Council on Libraries shall provide the Delaware Development Office with their comments on each such proposal within sixty (60) days of receipt of the proposal.
§6605A. The Delaware Development Office as part of its annual capital budget responsibilities set forth in §5011 of this title, shall insure that the State share and non—state share on all projects funded under this Chapter are expended in conformance with the provisions of this Act."
Approved July 19, 1990.