BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 750

By: Dean

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The academic libraries at public junior colleges cannot easily donate old books or other library materials of nominal value because of restrictions in place under state law governing the disposal of state surplus property. As a result, certain librarians report that it is easier to destroy or throw away old books and other materials than it is to give them away, even if there are community members who would happily accept the donations. H.B. 750 seeks to allow public junior college libraries to donate library materials to any person or organization, so long as the library materials have little to no monetary value and are either duplicative or no longer appropriate for the library's collection.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 750 amends the Education Code to authorize a public junior college library to donate to any person or organization periodicals, books, e-books, tapes, and other media that have little or no monetary value if the materials, as determined by library staff, duplicate materials that are a part of the library's collection or are no longer appropriate for inclusion in the collection due to age, condition, or obsolete content.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.