Library budgets.
Summary
Amends the percentage increase in a public library's proposed budget that determines whether the public library's proposed budget is subject to binding review by the applicable county, city, or town, fiscal body.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Dec 8, 2025
Last action Jan 28, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Engrossed Senate Bill (H)
→
Senate Bill (H)
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered from SB 8.2 to SB 8.1 and the effective date was updated to January 21, 2026. The most significant change is the expansion of the budget review process: the law now applies to all taxing units with appointed majorities, not just public libraries. Additionally, the penalty for failing to submit budget information was strengthened by adding a specific mathematical formula that reduces the allowable tax levy growth.
Scope change
The bill's scope was significantly broadened. It originally applied only to public libraries with appointed governing bodies; it now applies to any taxing unit (such as special districts) that is not comprised of a majority of elected officials.
SCOPE
Expanded applicability from public libraries only to all taxing units with appointed majorities.
DEFINITION
Added a specific definition for 'taxing unit' to clarify which entities are subject to the new rules.
REQUIREMENT
Strengthened enforcement by adding a specific calculation method that reduces the maximum allowable tax levy if a taxing unit fails to submit required budget information on time.
TECHNICAL
Updated bill number from SB 8.2 to SB 8.1 and corrected the drafter's error date to January 21, 2026.
Floor votes · Senate Jan 26, 2026
How they voted
31–13
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 48
Jan 26, 2026
D
Democratic9
77% Nay
R
Republican39
79% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Jan 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 68: yeas 31, nays 13
upper
Jan 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
upper
4 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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