Committee advances bill to rename public library construction grant program for Mary Murphy

House File 1090, a bill to rename Minnesota's Public Library Construction Grant Program in honor of former Representative Mary Murphy, was moved to the General Register by Chair Lee and the committee voted to refer the bill.

Karen Punczak, director of Great River Regional Library, told the committee the program has supported more than 150 library projects across the state and that from 1994 to 2024 the competitive matching grant program secured about $6.27 in local investment for every $1 of state investment. "Continuing the work of this grant program is vital to public library users across the state," Punczak said in testimony.

Margaret Stone, director of Dakota County Library, said the program drives a state-local partnership that makes projects feasible for communities that otherwise could not afford large renovations and expansions. She cited examples in West St. Paul and Hastings where grants addressed accessibility and meeting-room needs.

Representative Lee moved House File 1090 to the General Register. The committee voice vote was recorded as all those in favor saying "aye," the chair stated the motion prevailed and the bill was referred.

Supporters said the name change would be a symbolic recognition of Representative Murphy's long advocacy for libraries; presenters emphasized that the program itself funds renovation, expansion, and new construction through a competitive matching approach that leverages local dollars.

No fiscal amendment or final appropriation was adopted during the committee hearing; the bill was referred to the next stage of the session for further consideration.