Permits libraries occupying or possessing public land to develop, lease, or use such property for the purposes of constructing affordable, mixed-use housing; provides that such use aligns with libraries' educational purposes, represents a valid exercise of the trustees' power, and is in the best interests of the libraries.
STATE OF NEW YORK
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9732
IN SENATE
April 2, 2026
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Introduced by Sen. BYNOE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Libraries
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a right
for the board of trustees of any library chartered by the regents of
the state of New York to develop, lease, or use public library spaces
for the purposes of constructing affordable, mixed-use housing
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 260 of the education law is amended by adding a new
2 subdivision 13 to read as follows:
3 13. Notwithstanding any provision of state or local law, rule, or
4 regulation to the contrary, the board of trustees of any library char-
5 tered by the regents of the state of New York, pursuant to section two
6 hundred sixteen of this article, may develop, lease, or use public
7 library spaces for the purposes of constructing affordable, mixed-use
8 housing. Such activity is hereby declared to serve a public purpose and
9 benefit; provided that the activity maintains the libraries' abilities
10 to perform their chartered functions, including their educational
11 purposes. Such activity shall be deemed a valid exercise of the trus-
12 tees' power and in the best interests of the libraries, consistent with
13 the trustees' duties of care, loyalty, and obedience.
14 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15461-01-6
