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House passes HF1090 renaming library construction grants for Mary C. Murphy
Summary
On third reading the Minnesota House approved House File 1090 to rename the state library construction grant program the Mary C. Murphy Construction Grants Program; sponsors cited Murphy’s leadership on capital investment and support for libraries. The bill passed on a voice/roll call and had no amendments at the desk.
The Minnesota House of Representatives on third reading approved House File 1090, an act relating to capital investment that renames the state’s library construction grant program the Mary C. Murphy Construction Grants Program.
Representative Lee, the bill’s author and a member from Hennepin County, introduced the measure and said it honors Mary C. Murphy’s long service on the House Capital Investment Committee and her advocacy for library access. "Anyone who knew Mary knew she was passionate about libraries," Representative Lee said. "I encourage the green vote for this bill to rename the library construction grants after Mary C. Murphy."
The bill received no amendments at the desk and was placed on third reading. The clerk called the roll of members participating remotely and recorded individual aye votes for members identified in the transcript, including Hill, Keeler, Norris and Swazinski. The clerk closed the roll and announced the result; the bill was passed and its title agreed to.
During floor remarks, Representative Lee summarized the library construction grant program’s scope: Minnesota has 12 regional library systems, about 359 public libraries statewide, eight bookmobiles, and at least one public library in every county, the representative said. The program is administered through the Department of Education; eligible applicants include cities, counties and regional public library systems. Projects eligible for funding include renovation, expansion and construction of library facilities and accessibility projects to remove barriers for patrons. The program requires a 50% local match, and Representative Lee said the estimated statewide funding need is about $89,000,000.
The passage of HF1090 formalizes the program’s new name but does not change the program’s eligibility requirements, match rate or administration as described on the House floor. The transcript shows no amendments were offered during the floor consideration.
The House clerk’s announcement that the bill passed concluded the item on the calendar; the bill’s enactment, any effective dates and further implementation steps were not specified on the floor during the recorded proceedings.
