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Committee hears bill to let local library taxing districts withdraw from regional systems
Summary
Supporters told the Committee on Local Government that House Bill 24-10 would let locally elected taxpayers decide library funding by allowing a district that levies a 0.25-mill library tax to petition the State Library Board for exclusion from its regional system without a 'manifest harm' finding; proponents say it avoids dual taxation and clarifies timelines; no vote was taken.
Chair opened a hearing on House Bill 24-10, which would let a local public library taxing district that levies the statutory quarter-mill property tax petition to leave its regional library system without requiring a State Library Board determination that the withdrawal would cause 'manifest harm.' The Revisor told the committee the bill removes the subjective 'manifest harm' condition, adds timing and re‑inclusion language, and includes conforming amendments; the changes would take effect July 1 if enacted.
Brandon Hines, director of the Hays Public Library, urged passage and described a August 2024 Ellis County vote that created the Ellis County Library with 73% approval. "Manifest harm has never been defined," Hines said, arguing the phrase creates uncertainty and could allow an unelected board to override a local election. He told the committee that Hays and Salina account for more than half of system circulation but have limited representation on the system board.
Melanie Hedgepath, director of the Celina Public Library (Saline County), also supported the bill, saying regional systems provide shared services that can continue post‑withdrawal and that the bill "does not raise mill rates." Hedgepath told members HB 24-10 shortens the withdrawal timeline and clarifies which property and grant funds may be retained by a taxing district that leaves a system.
Committee members asked technical questions about mill levies. The Revisor said the statute sets a quarter-mill (0.25 mill) as the minimum local levy threshold for a district to be treated as self-supporting and that regional system boards may levy up to three-quarters of a mill (0.75 mill), subject to statutory limits. Members also asked whether interlibrary loan and other shared services would continue; witnesses said cooperation is likely to continue through shared services even if a district withdraws.
No committee vote was recorded at the close of the hearing. The chair noted there were written neutral and opponent testimonies submitted and closed the public record for the hearing.
