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Senate bill · S6870 (2025-26)

Relates to conducting a study on the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital funding

Latest action May 29, 2026

New York State Senate

Same as A5525, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Sponsor

Leroy Comrie

State Senator, District 14 · Democratic

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Summary

Relates to conducting a study on the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital funding; provides the department of education, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state, shall assess and report on the capital needs of such public library systems, including public libraries and association libraries.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Education Law.

From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 19, 2026. About our data

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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

This legislation would require the Commissioner of the State Education Department, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state to complete a study on the capital needs of libraries and library systems in New York State.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Libraries · New York State Senate

Also referred to Libraries and Education Technology · New York State Assembly, Ways and Means · New York State Assembly.

Cosponsors

Nathalia Fernandez, Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and 2 more on Agora

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)
  • Democratic2
  • Republican2

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

The sponsor's argument

Why Leroy Comrie says this is needed

New York State's public libraries are rapidly aging. More than 48% of local libraries are over 60 years old and an additional 33% are over 30 years old. Failure to adequately fund local libraries' capital needs falls disproportionately on communities with diminished economic resources the lack of investment has forced the sale of some public libraries. Additionally, libraries in economically disadvantaged commu- nities cannot afford basic investment in energy-efficient upgrades and increased operating costs have forced shorter hours, reduced staffing, and reduced programming. Public libraries remain unable to accommodate advances in technological infrastructure, make investments in energy efficiency, or increase access for persons with disabilities due to the lack of access to capital financing. The purpose of this study is to identify and provide recommendations for the improvement of access to capital funding to our public libraries and public library system.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Recorded votes

  • Vote: Floor vote

    NY SenateMay 29, 2026Result: passed

    (58) (0) (0) (5)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Libraries

    Senate LibrariesMay 12, 2026Result: passed

    (7) (0) (0) (0)

  • Vote: Floor vote

    NY SenateApr 30, 2025Result: passed

    (60) (0) (0) (2)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Libraries

    Senate LibrariesApr 8, 2025Result: passed

    (7) (0) (0) (0)

Full history

  1. May 29, 2026

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    NY Senate

  2. May 29, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

  3. May 29, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

    NY Assembly

  4. May 14, 2026

    Advanced to Third Reading

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    NY Senate

  5. May 13, 2026

    2ND Report CAL.

    2ND REPORT CAL.

    NY Senate

Show full history (15 earlier events)
  1. May 12, 2026

    1ST Report CAL.1012

    1ST REPORT CAL.1012

    NY Senate

  2. May 6, 2026

    Amend and Recommit to Libraries

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO LIBRARIES

    NY Senate

  3. Jan 7, 2026

    Died in Assembly

    DIED IN ASSEMBLY

    NY Assembly

  4. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO LIBRARIES

    NY Senate

  5. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

    NY Assembly

  6. May 20, 2025

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

    NY Assembly

  7. May 16, 2025

    Amend and Recommit to Libraries and Education Technology

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO LIBRARIES AND EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

    NY Assembly

  8. Apr 30, 2025

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    NY Senate

  9. Apr 30, 2025

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

  10. Apr 30, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO LIBRARIES AND EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

    NY Assembly

  11. Apr 10, 2025

    Advanced to Third Reading

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    NY Senate

  12. Apr 9, 2025

    2ND Report CAL.

    2ND REPORT CAL.

    NY Senate

  13. Apr 8, 2025

    1ST Report CAL.652

    1ST REPORT CAL.652

    NY Senate

  14. Mar 25, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO LIBRARIES

    NY Senate

  15. Feb 14, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO LIBRARIES AND EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

    NY Assembly